CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery and Indy Eleven will both return to the USL Championship Playoffs as they square off on Sunday evening at Patriots Point in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

Charleston Battery (17-9-8, 59pts) – The Battery produced the biggest turnaround in the USL Championship’s history to claim the No. 3 seed and the club’s first home playoff game since 2018 under the leadership of new Head Coach Ben Pirmann. Charleston increased its point total by 34 points as Augustine Williams scored 13 goals, prodigious young talent Fidel Barajas notched nine assists, and goalkeeper Trey Muse recorded 12 shutouts. The Battery’s consistency saw the side lose consecutive games only once, and the side ended the season with a 1-0 win at home to Birmingham Legion FC.

Indy Eleven (13-11-10, 49pts) – Indy Eleven earned its first postseason berth since the 2019 season as Head Coach Mark Lowry’s new recruits paid dividends in a season of progressive growth for the squad. After a slow start to the season, Indy became a solid all-around unit, conceding only 38 goals – tied for third-fewest in the league – while Sebastian Guenzatti led the side with 11 goals. The Boys in Blue will have to do without two-time Championship MVP Solomon Asante on Sunday, however, after his red card in the final game of the regular season against San Antonio FC for two cautionable offenses. 

All-Time Series

Indy holds a 4-2-2 all-time lead in the series between the clubs, and went 1-0-1 this season, including a 4-0 win at Patriots Point in a game in which Charleston’s Leland Archer was sent off after just 19 seconds.

DraftKings Odds

Charleston Battery -105, Indy Eleven +230, Draw +260

Opta Says

59 – Charleston’s 59 points are the most the club has recorded in a regular season in the USL Championship era and are only surpassed by the club’s 63 points in the 2002 USL A League season.

28 – Indy Eleven earned 28 points away from home in the regular season, tied for second-most in the league behind the Battery on 29 away points.

Players to Watch

Charleston Battery – Fidel Barajas: The Mexico U-17 international led all players eligible for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award with 13 goals contributions (4 goals, 9 assists) as he prepares for his first postseason.

Indy Eleven – Cam Lindley: The Indiana native led his side with eight assists this season, including six in the final six games of the campaign, and helped lead Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC to a Western Conference Final last year.

Discipline Report

Charleston Battery – No suspensions

Indy Eleven – Suspended: Solomon Asante