CHARLESTON, S.C. – The No. 3 seed Charleston Battery swept to a 5-0 victory against No. 6 seed Indy Eleven as four different players recorded a goal and assist for the hosts at Patriots Point on Sunday evening in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs.

The Battery made an ideal start, taking the lead in the 12th minute when Emilio Ycaza headed in Arturo Rodriguez’s corner from the left, and then broke the game open around the halftime break. A long-range strike by Augustine Williams eluded Indy goalkeeper Tim Trilk in the 37th minute before Rodriguez added a goal from a cross from the right by Fidel Barajas three minutes later.

Barajas got in on the act two minutes into the second half as Rodriguez picked him out with a centering pass that the Mexico U-17 National Team star controlled and slotted into the left corner of the net from 12 yards. The Battery wrapped up the victory just past the hour-mark as Nick Markanich scored from close range to send Charleston through in emphatic fashion.

Three Things That Mattered

1. After Saturday night’s upsets across the Eastern Conference, the Charleston Battery were on alert, but the hosts were absolutely on top of their game from the opening kickoff. Charleston dictated the early tempo, was rewarded with a good set-piece goal by Emilio Ycaza, and hardly looked back. With a string of three goals in 11 minutes either side of halftime the Battery didn’t allow Indy any chance to get a proper foothold in the game, reflected in Indy only recording four touches in the attacking penalty area over the first 70 minutes as the midfield unit led by Ycaza, Arturo Rodriguez and Chris Allan powered an outstanding overall display. The Battery now have the chance to host an Eastern Conference Final, and are second in line to host the USL Championship Final behind Sacramento Republic FC going into next weekend’s games.

2. There were numerous standout performances in attack for the Battery – five different players found the net, while Rodriguez, Fidel Barajas, Nick Markanich and Augustine Williams all recorded a goal and assist apiece. Barajas’ continued standout season with his 10th assist and fifth assist – sublimely taken two minutes into the second half – will continue to draw attention, but Rodriguez deserves plenty of praise for the way he directed the game in the final third. A former USL League One title winner in 2019 with North Texas SC, Rodriguez felt like a shrewd signing early this season after departing Phoenix Rising FC and his one goal, two assist display here was outstanding.

3. When your club’s Twitter account is asking for fans to send dog photos midway through the second half, nothing is really going to plan. That was the case for Indy, which without three key players in Solomon Asante due to suspension and both Jack Blake and Aodhan Quinn to injury just never got hold of the game. A terrible mishandle of a shot by Tim Trilk that led to Augustine Williams’ goal eight minutes before halftime only added to that downbeat mood as the season slipped away. The Boys in Blue will be back, hopefully at full strength for next year.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Game

Arturo Rodriguez, Charleston Battery – Rodriguez notched one goal and two assists to lead the Battery’s victory and was sharp all around, completing 21 of 23 passes and having four chances created overall.

Scoring Summary
CHS – Emilio Ycaza (Arturo Rodriguez) 12’
CHS – Augustine Williams (Nick Markanich) 37’
CHS – Arturo Rodriguez (Fidel Barajas) 40’
CHS – Fidel Barajas (Arturo Rodriguez) 47’
CHS – Nick Markanich (Augustine Williams) 63’

Full Box Score

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