CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery and Rhode Island FC will meet in the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix on Saturday night with the Battery aiming to claim their second consecutive Eastern Conference title and Rhode Island aiming to become the first club to reach the USL Championship Final in its inaugural season in almost a decade. Kickoff at Patriots Point is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

Charleston Battery (18-6-10, 64pts) – The Battery advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for a second consecutive season as they rallied to a 2-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies last Sunday afternoon at Patriots Point. Second-half goals by Nick Markanich and Aaron Molloy sent the Battery to victory as the side extended its postseason undefeated streak to six games across the past two seasons. Both Markanich, whose goal against Tampa Bay was his 30th of the season, and Molloy were on Wednesday named to the 2024 USL Championship All-League First Team where they were joined by teammate Graham Smith, a key cornerstone of the club’s back line this season. Charleston has allowed 14 goals and recorded nine shutouts in 19 home games across the regular season and playoffs this campaign, the best home defensive record of any team remaining in the postseason.

Rhode Island FC (12-15-7, 51pts) – Rhode Island earned its second road victory this postseason as it took a 3-0 victory against No. 1 seed and Players’ Shield winner Louisville City FC last Saturday night in one of the most notable upsets in the USL Championship Playoffs’ history. The 25-point differential between the clubs was tied for the second-highest in the league’s postseason all-time as JJ Williams bagged a pair of goals before Albert Dikwa put home the rebound of Noah Fuson’s penalty kick in stoppage time to ice the game. Rhode Island will now attempt to become only the third team to reach the Championship Final in its inaugural season following title-winner Sacramento Republic FC in 2014 and Sporting Kansas City II in 2016 as it takes on the defending Eastern Conference title holder on its own turf.

All-Time Series

The Battery and RIFC couldn’t be separated in their first regular season series as the sides played to a scoreless draw at Beirne Stadium in early April before playing to a 1-1 draw at Patriots Point in the penultimate weekend of the regular season when MD Myers scored a second-half equalizer for the Battery after Noah Fuson had opened the scoring for the visitors.

Opta Says

21 – The Charleson Battery have recorded 21 goals from set pieces this season, including a league-high three goals directly from free kicks and seven penalty kicks, tied for the most in the Championship across the regular season and playoffs.

5 – Rhode Island FC forward JJ Williams has recorded five goals in the club’s opening two postseason games, one off the single-postseason record of six goals set by Brandon Allen in leading the New York Red Bulls II to the league title in 2016.

Players to Watch

Charleston Battery – Nick Markanich: The 2024 Golden Boot winner has moved to 30 goals this season having scored in each of the Battery’s playoff games, giving him four goals in six postseason games overall. As well as the 24-year-old played this regular season, he’s maintained his energy level in threatening opposing back lines.

Rhode Island FC – Frank Nodarse: The versatile defender had an outstanding game against Louisville City FC, winning 3 of 3 tackles and 5 of 6 duels while making four interceptions and four clearances, and could prove important in stemming the attacking flow down the left side for the Battery led by Juan David Torres.

Uniforms

Discipline Report

Charleston Battery – No suspensions

Rhode Island FC – No suspensions

Officials
REF: Calin Radosav
AR1: Brian Marshall
AR2: John Krill
4TH: Elijio Arreguin