Miami FC round off a busy August with a trip to Blackbaud Stadium in South Carolina to face Charleston Battery. The Battery are on a high, unbeaten in four games and coming off a 3-0 pounding of a sorry North Carolina FC team in their last game. In fact they have scored a total of 6 goals in their last two games.
This game should be a lot tighter than the Battery’s last two matchups. Miami FC have rebounded. Aside from a couple of lapses they look better at the back. Going forward there is increased fluency. Prince Saydee has been exciting down the left flank, turning his marker inside out on a number of occasions against Charlotte Independence. His delivery is getting better too. Vincent Bezecourt has flourished over the last three games and is building a good understanding with Romario Williams. The Battery will be familiar with Romario. He spent two successful seasons there. But isn’t it funny how sometimes these players can come back to haunt you…
Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser has tinkered with his lineup a little. Zeiko Lewis looks to be enjoying life on the right wing so Othello Bah will have to be on top of his game if he gets the start at left back for Miami. That move means Mauro Cichero has been handed a creative role in attacking midfield. It’ll be up to the likely defensive spine of Rozeboom, Ndam and Heath to stifle the Battery #13 if he is fit enough to start. It’s no surprise that they are where they are in the table. Charleston have a solid squad and an experienced coach. Anhaeuser was admitted to the USL hall of fame in 2013 for his services to The Battery as player, GM and coach.
Miami fans can however breathe a sigh of relief as it looks like their opponents are also slow starters. The Orange and Blue have been undone by early goals this season but so have The Battery. They faced a similar situation at home to Atlanta United 2 as FC, going 2-0 down and having to quickly find a route back into the game which they did, winning 3-2. Expect a cautious start from both teams. Charleston are in a comfortable position in the table, 2nd place and seven points behind the Rowdies but eight points ahead of 3rd placed ATLUTD2. A win for Miami FC will mean they jump Atlanta and be in striking distance of Charleston with a game in hand.
Prediction
So a game of poker, not a toe-to-toe slugfest. This will come down to who can take their chances when they come. FC can’t afford to leave empty handed, settling for one point isn’t a big issue for Charleston. A draw is the most likely outcome though The Battery will be welcoming fans back into their stadium for this game, it’ll be interesting to see how a bit of atmosphere will make a difference. Can they give their team a lift? Or will FC try to silence them early on? Don’t miss the action on ESPN+, kick off is at 7:30pm.
Charleston Battery 1 – 1 Miami FC
