CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Thursday the club had acquired forward Matthew Dyan “MD” Myers from New York City FC II for an undisclosed transfer fee. Myers subsequently signed a new multi-year contract with the Battery. The transactions are pending league and federation approval.  

Myers arrives at the Battery having been one of three co-winners of the Golden Boot in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season after scoring 19 goals for NYCFC II, along with recording five assists. The standout center forward earned MLSNP Best XI honors after the prolific campaign which saw him record one hat trick and four two-goal performances for the side.

“What I’m most looking forward to about joining the Battery is having the opportunity to join a club that is eager to compete for a championship,” said Myers. “The team had a great season last year and we’ll be fighting to finish the job at the end of this season.

“My first impression of the team is that it’s a quality group of guys that are very skilled and competitive. There is a strong environment built among the squad and staff and that energy is contagious.”

The 22-year-old had previously been selected with the 66th pick of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by New York City FC after a standout college career High Point University and Rutgers University. In his first professional campaign, Myers averaged a one goal involvement every 102 minutes and was named MLSNP’s Co-Player of the Month for August.

“MD is an exciting center forward, he’s physical and relentless in his pursuit, and is a nightmare to play against,” said Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “He has shown his abilities throughout college and the professional ranks that he not only scores goals, but that he is a winner. He is joining a group of players bound by a common goal, to do whatever it takes to win.”

Analysis

Following the departure of the club’s leading scorer over the past two seasons in Augustine Williams, the Battery have replenished their attacking corps in the past week with Myers’ arrival giving competition to Jackson Conway for the No. 9 position in the lineup. The 22-year-old’s prolific rookie season saw him post a 50 percent shooting accuracy rate and a shot conversion rate of 21.1 percent, and the goal for the Battery will be for those two numbers to remain consistent, which should put Myers comfortably in the range of a strong double-digit goal output.

What’s also notable about the Battery’s acquisition, however, is Myers’ age. As he turns 23 years old in April, the new forward is in the wheelhouse of the sort that has the potential to not only succeed in the USL Championship but use it as a launching pad for future success. After the offseason moves overseas by Orange County SC’s Milan Iloski and Louisville City FC’s Manny Perez, the door is opening wider for players like Myers who could have similar aspirations down the road.