The Battery defeated Rochester 5-0 on April 15.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Rhinos (9-4-8; 35 points) come back home for a 6:05 pm Saturday evening contest against the Charleston Battery, which won the first match 5-0 on April 15.
Charleston comes into the contest third in the Eastern Conference with a 10-5-8 record with 38 points, and a +14 goal differential (40 for/26 against).
PLAYER TO WATCH
Romario Williams – Williams has already torched the Rhinos for 3 goals and 1 assist within a 16 minute span back in April. He is tied with Reno 1868’s Dane Kelly for the USL Golden Boot, with 15 goals and 2 assists in just 17 matches. The 23 Jamaican International scored two goals in the Gold Cup, including one against Canada in the quarterfinals en route to Jamaica’s second straight Gold Cup Final. Williams was named USL Player of the Month for June.
STRENGTHS
Scoring Versatility
The Battery have been relentless in attack, nearly scoring two goals a match this season. Their 40 team goals is good for 4th in the USL and 2nd-most in the Eastern Conference. 7 of these goals came from outside of the box, with 6 goals coming from headers. They have 5 players who have scored at least four goals, including defender Forest Lasso – who is a dangerous threat in the air. 4 of his 6 goals have been headed home.
Goalkeeping
Charleston’s goalkeeping duo have earned 8 clean sheets so far this season, tied for 5th in the USL. Odisnel Cooper has started 16 of the Battery’s 23 matches, saving a fantastic 75.4% of his shots faced, earning 6 clean sheets himself.
WEAKNESSES
Form
After spending most of 2017 in first place in the USL Eastern Conference, Charleston have yet to win a match since July 1. Over the course of their unusual 7-match winless streak, they have only been able to score 4 goals. They have to turn it around quick or else the Battery may be in danger of dropping out of the top-4 – which would force them to play their opening round playoff match on the road.
Possession
Possession doesn’t always translate into victories, but you can’t win without the ball. Charleston has enjoyed just 44% of the possession this season.