After the Five Stripes started their Charleston preseason leg with a 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew, they showed signs of things to come in a chance-filled draw against Minnesota United in the midweek match. With more training sessions in the rear-view, the squad will look to finish their preseason fixture list with a strong performance against the tournament hosts, USL side Charleston Battery.
The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday evening at MUSC Health Stadium and will be broadcast on beIN SPORTS. It will also be streamed online, so make sure to tune in and watch at ATLUTD.com/LIVE.
Atlanta United
Atlanta United is looking to take the next step after an explosive first season, bringing in strong reinforcements to enter 2018 stronger than before. Miguel Almirón and Josef Martinez, both members of the 2017 MLS Best XI, stand as the spearheads of the Atlanta United attack, while the two offensive offseason additions, midfielder Darlington Nagbe and winger Ezequiel Barco –– who scored a stunning debut goal Wednesday –– continue their integration into the team. Wednesday showed more positive injury news, as Tito Villalba and new right back Franco Escobar, made their first appearances of the preseason.
But with the team facing lower-division competition, Head Coach Tata Martino hinted after Wednesday’s match that there could be heavy rotation for this match. Franco Escobar and Tito Villalba could get some more minutes as they work into regular season fitness, but there could be big changes to the lineup beyond that. Oliver Shannon, who just signed his first professional contract with the club Wednesday, could be rewarded with minutes, while Homegrowns Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin and MLS SuperDraft Jon Gallagher could also be in contention. And it could be a special night for Romario Wiliams. The Jamaican was named in the USL Team of the Season last year in a special season on loan at the Charleston Battery, and he could line up opposite his past teammates for an MLS side on Saturday. It could be an informative lineup selection, as Head Coach Tata Martino could give a clue as to which youngsters he sees as match-ready depth that is ready for MLS minutes this year.
Charleston Battery
Lining up opposite the Five Stripes will be the tournament hosts, the Charleston Battery. While the side plies its trade in the lower division of USL, don’t expect a cakewalk. One of the oldest sides in American soccer, the team is well-drilled and used to facing top-level competition. That has shown so far in this tournament, with the hosts earning a 1-0 win over MLS side Minnesota United in their first match. They followed that up with an impressive showing against the Columbus Crew on Wednesday, going into halftime with a 1-0 lead before falling in the second half.
The squad had to undergo a bit of a rebuild this summer, with their two members of the USL Team of the Year –– defender Forrest Lasso and striker Romario Williams –– both leaving the squad this offseason. But keep an eye out for midfielder Tah Brian Anunga and striker Ian Svantesson, who have both shown the quality to score against MLS competition so far in this tournament. And of course, Atlanta United Homegrown signing and Academy graduate Patrick Okonkwo has shown glimpses of the scoring prowess he clearly holds in his short time on loan in South Carolina so far.
Both sides will be looking to end the Carolina Challenge Cup with a strong performance to set themselves up to be fully prepared for the regular season. It’ll be a match you don’t want to miss, so make sure you tune in to beIN Sports or ATLUTD.com/live at 7:30 p.m. ET for kickoff.
