CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery and Tampa Bay Rowdies will meet for the second time in postseason play on Sunday afternoon in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix with each side featuring a dynamic attacking partnership that has stood out prominently this season. Kickoff at Patriots Point is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

Charleston Battery (18-6-10, 64pts) – The Battery began the defense of their Eastern Conference title with a 1-0 victory against longtime rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC as Nick Markanich’s early goal stood as the winner at Patriots Point. The goal was Markanich’s 29th across the regular season and playoffs and his third postseason goal in the past two seasons since joining Charleston. The Championship’s Golden Boot leader and fellow forward MD Myers have been central to the club’s attack overall this season, combining for a league record 42 goals in the regular season, while the Battery recorded their 14th shutout of the season against the Hounds as Adam Grinwis was forced into only one save. The hosts will now look to continue a stellar home playoff record in the USL Championship era, where the side is 8-2-1 overall and last lost in the 2018 playoffs.

Tampa Bay Rowdies (14-12-8, 50pts) – The Rowdies advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the fourth time in the past five postseasons with a 3-1 victory in a penalty shootout against Detroit City FC last Saturday night after the sides had ended regulation and extra time tied 1-1. The shootout was the first in the postseason for the Rowdies in more than a decade and saw Jordan Farr record two saves before Lewis Hilton scored the decisive goal in the fifth round. Cal Jennings had given the Rowdies a first-half lead, marking his third consecutive game with a goal, and alongside strike partner Manuel Arteaga the duo have combined for 33 goals this season, second only to Markanich and Myers in the league. Tampa Bay’s result in Detroit marked the third time the side had advanced on the road in the USL Championship Playoffs, going 2-2-0 previously away from home in the postseason since joining the league in 2017.

All-Time Series

The Battery hold an 11-8-3 record against the Rowdies in their history with each side having earned victory on home turf this season. Tampa Bay claimed a 1-0 win when the sides last met in the postseason as Lucky Mkosana scored the winner in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2020.

Opta Says

14 – The Battery have recorded 14 goals from outside the penalty area this season, tied for the league-lead with Louisville City, with Juan David Torres leading the league individually with five goals from outside the box.

51.8 – The Rowdies have scored 29 of their 56 goals in the final half-hour and stoppage time of games, accounting for 51.8 percent of the club’s scoring output across the regular season and playoffs.

Players to Watch

Charleston Battery – Chris Allan: The versatile midfielder slotted in at left back with Leland Archer continuing to be absent due to injury and delivered a stellar display. He could be called on to fulfill the same role against a Rowdies side that has delivered more crosses than any club in the league this season.

Tampa Bay Rowdies – Leo Fernandes: The 2022 Player of the Year has recorded a goal and two assists over the past three games for the Rowdies, showing a developing chemistry as the third part of Tampa Bay’s front three, and could be a key contributor as Tampa Bay looks for a road upset.

Uniforms

Discipline Report

Charleston Battery – No suspensions

Tampa Bay Rowdies – No suspensions

Officials
REF: Matt Thompson
AR1: Zach McWhorter
AR2: Zeno Cho
4TH: Adam Kilpatrick