CHARLESTON, S.C. – Longtime rivals the Charleston Battery and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will meet in the postseason for the first time in the USL Championship era as they meet on Saturday night in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix. Kickoff at Patriots Point is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

Charleston Battery (18-6-10, 64pts) – The defending Eastern Conference title holders built on their bounce-back season in 2023 to achieve the highest points total in a regular season in club history, surpassing the club’s 63 points in the 2002 USL A-League campaign. The side was led by Golden Boot winner Nick Markanich, who set a USL Championship single-season record with 28 goals in the campaign, while forward partner MD Myers also found the net 14 times as the two became the highest-scoring strike partnership in a single season in league history. The Battery were also solid defensively, with offseason addition Adam Grinwis recording nine of the club’s 13 shutouts, while center back Graham Smith and midfielder Aaron Molloy also made key contributions alongside returning standout Leland Archer. Having lost only once at home in the regular season, the No. 2 seed will be aiming to make a repeat run to the Championship Final as it looks for the fifth league title in its history.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (12-10-12, 48pts) – The Hounds overcame a poor first half of the season to surge into the playoffs on the final day of the season, claiming the No. 7 seed on the back of four consecutive victories to end the campaign. Pittsburgh failed to take victory in its first five games of the season and then endured a six-game run without scoring between June and July before things finally kicked into gear. Since a breakout 5-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC on July 13, the side has gone 9-1-6 to close the regular season. Edward Kizza has scored in each of the final five games of the season to reach 12 goals overall in the campaign, and midseason acquisition Bertin Jacquesson has added five goals and two assists in seven appearances since arriving on loan from Real Salt Lake. After falling as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals last season, the Hounds are now aiming for an upset of their own.

All-Time Series

The Battery have won 10 times and the Hounds seven times in 30 meetings between the clubs in the USL Championship era, making the most common result the 13 draws the sides have played to. This season, the Hounds held the edge as they earned a scoreless draw at Patriots Point before winning 2-0 at home in their most recent meeting on October 11.

Opta Says

62 – The Charleston Battery recorded 42 of its 68 goals in the second half of games, accounting for 62 percent of the side’s attacking output, and scored at least 10 goals in each of the 15-minute sectors in the second half.

59 – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC recorded 24 of its 41 goals in the first half, accounting for 59 percent of the club’s attacking output, which was the highest proportion of first-half goals by any club this regular season.

Players to Watch

Charleston Battery – Juan David Torres: The Colombian winger has made an impact throughout the season and come into form late on, recording three goals in the final four games of the season to end the regular season with seven goals and six assists.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Patrick Hogan: A former Battery player, Hogan has established himself at the center of the Hounds’ defense over the past two seasons, leading the side with 103 clearances and 92 aerial duels won at a 72.4 percent success rate in 25 appearances this campaign.

Uniforms

Discipline Report

Charleston Battery – No suspensions

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – No suspensions

Officials
REF: Nabil Bensalah
AR1: Jeremy Smith
AR2: Noah Kenyawani
4TH: Luis Diego Arroyo