August 3, 2017 USL Toronto FC II--Toronto FC II vs Charlotte Battery match preview (from charlesonbattery.com)
Match Preview: Charleston Battery at Toronto FC II By Sarah Cardamone, 08/03/17, 9:00AM EDT Charleston The Charleston Battery enter Saturday’s match against last-place Toronto FC II in need of three points after going winless in their last five matches. Despite earning only three of a possible 15 points during that run, the Battery still sit in first place in the Eastern Conference. With the Charlotte Independence and Louisville City FC within striking distance behind them, Charleston will need to return to winning form to keep their place at the top of the table. The Battery followed up two straight losses with a draw against Orlando City B in their previous match. Odisnel Cooper earned his sixth shutout in goal in the 0-0 draw with Orlando, while Romario Williams returned to the lineup for the first time in five games. The Battery attack looked much more dangerous after Williams entered the match as a substitute in the 53rd minute, but Earl Edwards Jr. stood tall goal for OCB and Charleston were forced to split the points. Toronto Toronto enter Saturday’s match winless in their previous three matches. TFC II were shutout three consecutive times, losing back-to-back 2-0 results to Ottawa Fury FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies and losing 1-0 to New York Red Bulls II; all three matches were on the road. Toronto will return home Saturday against the Battery looking for just their fourth win of the season. Despite being at the bottom of the table, TFC II have been strong defensively when playing at home this season, earning four shutouts in their eight matches at Ontario Soccer Centre. Mark Pais and Angelo Cavalluzzo have split time in goal for TFC II. Previous Meeting The Battery’s attack was firing on all cylinders in the team’s previous meeting with TFC II at MUSC Health Stadium on June 24th. Romario Williams and Dante Marini led Charleston to a 6-1 win over Toronto. Williams and Marini each scored two goals and added an assist to help the Battery to their largest goal total in a match this season. Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser expects Saturday’s match at Ontario Soccer Centre to be vastly different from the one played in Charleston last month. TFC II plays on an artificial surface and will likely have members of the MLS side with them, so the Battery could face an entirely different starting XI come Saturday. Game Notes Records •Charleston: 10-4-7; goals 39; goals against 24; GD +15 •Home: 7-1-4; goals 26 ; goals against 11 ; GD +15 •Away: 3-3-3; goals 13; goals against; 13; GD 0 •Toronto: 3-12-5; goals 10; goals against 31; GD -21 •Home: 2-3-3; goals 7; goals against 9; GD -2 •Away: 1-9-2; goals 3; goals against 22; GD -19 Form •Charleston: D | L | L | D | D •Toronto: L | W | D | D | D Statistical Leaders •Charleston •Goals: Romario Williams (14) •Assists: Justin Portillo (6) •Points: Romario Williams (30) •Minutes: Taylor Mueller, Justin Portillo (1,890) •Toronto •Goals: Luca Uccello (3) •Assists: Ryan Telfer (2) •Points: Luca Uccello (7) •Minutes: Brian James (1,436) Previous •Charleston Battery vs. Orlando City B (D | 0-0) •Charleston goals: none •Orlando goals: none •Toronto FC II vs. Ottawa Fury FC (L 0-2) •Toronto goals: none •Ottawa goals: Azake Luboyera (24’), Sito Seoane (76’)
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