Charleston takes on Orlando City B with a shot at second
The Battery looks to extend their two match win streak and pick up their first win over OCB when they travel to Orlando on Saturday.
Charleston has long had a history with their rivals from Florida, dating back to 2012 when Orlando City SC, now in the MLS, would travel north to Charleston. Now, the Battery have to settle for their B team, literally, and travel to play the playoff bubble team tonight at 7:30pm.
Orlando City B has only been in existence since 2016, but one of their supporters’ favorite accomplishments is that they have never lost to the Battery. In fact, Charleston has only scored once in their four previous meetings.
I predict that will come to an end on Saturday night, and the Battery will move up to second in the USL Eastern Conference table while Orlando will continue their free fall from the USL playoff race.
OCB currently sits in 8th and does not control their own destiny, even if they earn a point or three on Saturday. Bethlehem Steel FC are right behind them with 2 games in hand, so right now the odds of OCB making the playoffs are getting slimmer every week. That could make them a tough opponent tonight, or the Battery could help usher them into an early offseason.
As for the Battery, a draw on Saturday night would ensure them a place in the playoffs. They need to earn only two more points before the end of the season to “clinch,” but because of where Orlando sits, a draw and the single point that comes with it for both sides would be all that Charleston needs.
The Battery are starting to click at the right time and everyone is stepping up. Romario Williams returns on Saturday and hopes to get back on the score sheet, but in his absence, Heviel Cordoves picked up 3 goals in two games.
The defense has only allowed one goal in three matches, and Odisnel Cooper has back-to-back shutouts. Higashi Kotaro has worked very hard to find his role in a team that has mostly played together for several seasons and looks to have done so with his two assists last Saturday. The starters are coming out strong and the late game subs are helping to put the match away. Everything is coming up Charleston and that should continue in Orlando tonight.
Game Details
What: Orlando City B vs. Charleston Battery (USL regular season)
Where: Orlando City Stadium, Orlando
When: 7:30 pm ET
#OCBvCHS
Past Meetings (Results are for Charleston)
2017 (USL)
0–0 (Draw)
2016 (USL)
0–0 (Draw)
1–2 (Loss)
0–0 (Draw)
Recent Form
Charleston: W | W | L | L | W
Orlando: L | L | D | W | D
Moyer’s Match Prediction:
Orlando is desperate for points with only four matches remaining. I expect them to push numbers forward at home, which plays right into the hands of the Battery. Charleston loves to attack on the counter, and with the momentum of back to back shutout victories, they should return home with all three points and potentially move up to second in the USL Eastern Conference table, depending on what our friends in Charlotte do against Tampa Bay.
Final Score: Battery WIN (2–0)
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