Charleston Battery are still searching for their first victory in USL PRO action this season after a pair of matches last weekend against Pittsburgh Riverhounds (0W-2L-3D) and Rochester Rhinos (2W-1L-1D). In the first match, the Battery fought to a hard-earned 0-0 draw against the Riverhounds, showing the ability to shut down an explosive attack for their first clean sheet of the season. In the second match, Whitecaps FC’s affiliate was clearly fatigued due to the rigorous “2/24” scheduling – two games in 24 hours or less, and fell to the Rhinos 1-0.
The draw with Pittsburgh marked significant news for both Charleston and Vancouver fans, as Omar Salgado made his return to the Battery lineup after being out with a foot injury since March 29. Over the two matches, Salgado played 87 minutes for the Battery. Andre Lewis subbed in for Salgado in the match against Pittsburgh before starting and playing the full 90 minutes in rochester. Marlon Ramirez made his Battery debut on Sunday, playing 60 minutes versus Rochester. Jackson Farmer also drew in against the Rhinos, while Adam Mena started over Heviel Cordoves, where as in the first match of the weekend, Mena subbed on for the final 19 minutes. Aminu Abdallah played 12 minutes in the first match and the full 90 minutes in the Sunday game.
Striker Mamadou Diouf – the ‘Caps 2nd round pick (30th overall) in the 2014 SuperDraft did not travel as he recovers from a minor knock. Michael Kafari is still working towards playing, but was out on the weekend.
The Battery are back in action on the road Friday, May 2 at Harrisburg City Islanders. The game will be streamed on www.charlestonbattery.com at 4 p.m. PT.
