2023 Charleston Battery season

Charleston Battery
2023 season
OwnerRob Salvatore
ManagerBen Pirmann
StadiumPatriots Point
USLEastern Conf.: 3rd
2023 U.S. Open CupRound of 32
USL PlayoffsUSL Championship Final
Top goalscorerAugustine Williams (15 goals)
Highest home attendance5,094 (Nov 12 vs. PHX)
Lowest home attendance1,661 (April 8 vs. HFD)
Average home league attendance3,112

The 2023 Charleston Battery season was Charleston Battery's 31st season of competition which marked its 30th anniversary. Charleston compete in the USL Championship, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States and the highest level in the USL.

The Battery enjoyed a successful bounce-back campaign in 2023, reaching the USL Championship Final after failing to make the postseason the year before.

Background

The Battery ended their 2022 season in 12th, near the bottom of the Eastern Conference table.[1] They also suffered a 0-1 loss to Tormenta FC, ending their U.S. Open Cup run in the second round.[2]

One week prior to the end of the 2022 season, the club and head coach Conor Casey agreed to mutually part ways after posting a dismal 6W-22L-6D record, the worst in club history.[3] On November 17, 2022 The Battery appointed reigning USL Championship Coach of the Year Ben Pirmann as head coach from Memphis 901 FC.[4]

The Battery retained 10 players from the 2022 team going into the 2023 season, with 18 others initially departing into free agency.[5]

Season squad

Squad No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age)
Goalkeepers
24 Daniel Kuzemka GK (1998-09-23) September 23, 1998
25 Trey Muse GK (1999-07-26) July 26, 1999
31 Danny Fischer GK (2004-11-16) November 16, 2004
Defenders
2 Pierre Reedy FB (1998-01-11) January 11, 1998
2 Mark Segbers FB (1996-04-18) April 18, 1996
3 A.J. Cochran DF (1993-02-09) February 9, 1993
5 Leland Archer DF (1996-01-08) January 8, 1996
14 Derek Dodson DF (1998-11-03) November 3, 1998
20 A.J. Paterson DF (1996-01-31) January 31, 1996
23 Juan Palma DF (1999-07-18) July 18, 1999
28 Deklan Wynne DF (1995-03-20) March 20, 1995
Midfielders
4 Chris Allan MF (1998-09-27) September 27, 1998
7 Andrew Booth MF (1997-07-16) July 16, 1997
8 Emilio Ycaza MF (1997-07-10) July 10, 1997
10 Handwalla Bwana AM (1999-06-25) June 25, 1999
10 Arturo Rodriguez MF (1998-12-15) December 15, 1998
11 Fidel Barajas MF (2006-04-05) April 5, 2006
15 Joseph Schmidt DM (1998-11-02) November 2, 1998
19 Robbie Crawford MF (1993-03-19) March 19, 1993
32 Charles Dennis MF (2004-09-13) September 13, 2004
Forwards
9 Augustine Williams FW (1997-08-03) August 3, 1997
13 Nick Markanich FW (1999-12-26) December 26, 1999
16 Matthias Dennis FW (2006-10-15) October 15, 2006
17 Aidan Apodaca FW (1996-05-24) May 24, 1996
21 Tristan Trager FW (1999-08-28) August 28, 1999
22 Jesse Randall FW (2002-08-19) August 19, 2002
69 Roberto Avila FW (2000-10-16) October 16, 2000

Last updated: 20 April 2023.
Source: Battery, USL Championship

Transfers

In

Pos. Player Signed from Details Date Ref.
MF Emilio Ycaza Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Free Transfer December 8, 2022 [6]
DF Derek Dodson Memphis 901 FC Free Transfer December 15, 2022 [7]
MF Chris Allan Memphis 901 FC Free Transfer December 20, 2022 [8]
DF Juan Palma Once Caldas Free Transfer December 27, 2022 [9]
GK Trey Muse Loudoun United FC Free Transfer December 29, 2022 [10]
DF Deklan Wynne Detroit City FC Free Transfer January 3, 2023 [11]
MF Handwalla Bwana Nashville SC Free Transfer January 11, 2023 [12]
FW Tristan Trager Atlanta United 2 Undisclosed Fee January 17, 2023 [13]
DF A. J. Cochran Indy Eleven Free Transfer February 2, 2023 [14]
GK Danny Fischer St. Louis Scott Gallagher SC Academy contract February 7, 2023 [15]
FW Nick Markanich FC Cincinnati Free transfer February 16, 2023 [16]
MF Dante Polvara Aberdeen F.C. Loan March 8, 2023 [17]
MF Charlie Dennis Tormenta FC academy Academy contract March 21, 2023 [18]
FW Mattie Dennis SC Surf Academy contract March 21, 2023 [18]
FW Jesse Randall Wellington Olympic AFC Free transfer March 22, 2023 [19]
MF Arturo Rodríguez Phoenix Rising FC Free transfer March 24, 2023 [20]
FW Beto Avila Houston Dynamo FC Loan May 26, 2023 [21]
MF Pierre Reedy Dundee F.C. Free transfer July 14, 2023 [22]
DF Mark Segbers Miami FC Undisclosed Fee September 22, 2023 [23]

Out

Date Pos. Player To Details Ref.
November 22, 2022 GK Joe Kuzminsky Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Free Agency [24]
November 22, 2022 DF Patrick Hogan Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Free Agency [24]
November 22, 2022 DF Matthew Sheldon Hartford Athletic Free Agency [24]
November 22, 2022 MF DZ Harmon Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Free Agency [24]
November 22, 2022 MF Caden Theobald Free Agent Free Agency [24]
November 22, 2022 FW Joel Bunting Savannah Clovers FC Free Agency [24]
November 22, 2022 FW Alexander Dexter Free Agent Free Agency [24]
November 22, 2022 MF Burke Fahling Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Free Agency [24]
November 22, 2022 GK Hugo Fauroux Loudoun United FC Option declined [24]
November 22, 2022 DF Brett St. Martin Free Agent Option declined [24]
November 22, 2022 FW Dominic Oduro Free Agent Option declined [24]
November 22, 2022 MF Romario Piggott Free Agent Option declined [24]
November 22, 2022 MF Geobel Pérez Free Agent Option declined [24]
November 22, 2022 DF Preston Kilwien Tormenta FC Option declined [24]
November 22, 2022 FW Mauro Cichero Forward Madison FC Option declined [24]
November 22, 2022 MF Enock Kwakwa Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC Option declined [24]
November 22, 2022 FW Nicque Daley Mount Pleasant F.A. Option declined [24]
December 16, 2022 FW Shak Adams North Carolina FC Undisclosed fee [25]
July 5, 2023 MF Dante Polvara Aberdeen F.C. Recalled from loan [26]

Competitions

Friendlies

February 5 Preseason Charleston Battery 6–0 Coastal Carolina
Report
February 11 Preseason Charlotte FC 3–0 Charleston Battery Charlotte, North Carolina
Copetti 55'
Bender 68'
Santos 73'		 Report Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
Note: The match was moved to Charlotte from Charleston due to inclement weather in the original location.
February 18 Preseason Charleston Battery 0–0 South Carolina
Report
February 22 Preseason Charleston Battery 3–0 College of Charleston
Report
February 25 Preseason North Carolina FC 2–1 Charleston Battery
Report
March 4 Preseason Charleston Battery 1–0 Tormenta FC
Report

[27]

USL Championship

Further information: 2023 USL Championship season

Eastern Conference

Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (S) 34 19 5 10 50 29 +21 67 Playoffs
2 Tampa Bay Rowdies 34 19 9 6 60 39 +21 63
3 Charleston Battery 34 17 9 8 47 43 +4 59
4 Memphis 901 FC 34 14 10 10 59 53 +6 52
5 Louisville City FC 34 14 12 8 41 44 −3 50
Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
(S) Players' Shield winner

Matches

March 11 1 Charleston Battery 1–1 Phoenix Rising Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
 Report
Stadium: Patriots Point
Attendance: 3,513
Referee: Thomas Snyder
March 18 2 Sacramento Republic FC 1–1 Charleston Battery Sacramento, California
10:00 PM EDT Jack Gurr 55' Report AJ Paterson 22' Stadium: Heart Health Park
Attendance: 11,569
Referee: Brad Jensen
March 25 3 Charleston Battery 3–0 Tampa Bay Rowdies Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:30 PM EDT
Report Stadium: Patriots Point
Attendance: 3,138
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
April 8 4 Charleston Battery 3−2 Hartford Athletic Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
 Report
Stadium: Patriots Point
Attendance: 1,661
Referee: Sergii Boiko
April 12 5 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–2 Charleston Battery St. Petersburg, Florida
Report Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 3,534
April 15 6 FC Tulsa 1–2 Charleston Battery Tulsa, Oklahoma
6:00 PM EDT Epps 14' Report Markanich 5'
Polvara 50'		 Stadium: ONEOK Field
Attendance: 4,007
Referee: Elton García
April 22 7 Charleston Battery 0–0 Louisville City FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:30 PM EDT Williams  7'  90'
Allan  81'
Dodson  84'
Trager  86'		 Report Thellufsen  66'
Moguel  88'		 Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Referee: Calin Radosav
Assistant referees: Jeffrey Skinker
Assistant referees: Marcus Moss
Fourth official: John Rush
Note: Kick off was delayed to 8:06 PM due to weather.[28]
April 29 8 Charleston Battery 1–2 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Report Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
May 5 9 Las Vegas Lights FC 0–1 Charleston Battery Las Vegas, Nevada
10:30 PM EDT Report Williams 59' (pen.) Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Malik Badawi
May 13 10 Charleston Battery 0–7 San Antonio FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
6:30 PM EDT Booth  88' Report Adeniran 8'
Garcia 20',  34'
Oluwaseyi 26', 32', 53'
Hayes  45+2'
Batista  67'
Bailone 80', 89'		 Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 3,053
Referee: Eric Tattersall
May 20 11 Charleston Battery 1–0 Monterey Bay FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
5:00 PM EDT Report Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
May 27 12 Rio Grande Valley FC 0–2 Charleston Battery Edinburg, Texas
7:00 PM EDT Benítez  51'
Nodarse  78'
Torres  88'		 Report Williams 30', 64' (pen.)
#69  90+3'		 Stadium: H-E-B Park
Attendance: 4,991
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
June 2 13 Charleston Battery 0–4 Indy Eleven Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Report Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
June 7 14 Charleston Battery 0–0 Detroit City FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
10:30 PM EDT Williams  33' Report Williams  15'
Bryant  78'
Fisher  60'		 Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 2,196
Referee: John Matto
June 10 15 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2–0 Charleston Battery Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Report Stadium: Highmark Stadium
Attendance: 5,032
June 17 16 Hartford Athletic 3–4 Charleston Battery Hartford, Connecticut
7:00 PM EDT
  • Lewis 31'
  • Hoppenot  34'  48'
  • McGlynn  36'
  • Edwards 45+3'
  • Edwards 57'
  • Rito  89'
  • Lapert  90+4'
 Report
  • Markanich  10'
  • Markanich 43'
  • Allan  62'
  • Markanich 64'
  • Dodson 87'
  • Paterson 90'
 Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium
Attendance: 4404
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Jun 24 17 Memphis 901 FC 3–2 Charleston Battery Memphis, TN
8:30 PM EDT Report Stadium: AutoZone Park
Attendance: 3,688
Referee: Gerald Flores
June 30 18 Charleston Battery 3–0 Loudoun United Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Report Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 3,359
July 12 19 Indy Eleven 1–1 Charleston Battery Indianapolis, Indiana
Report Stadium: Carroll Stadium
Attendance: 9,059
July 15 20 Miami FC 1–1 Charleston Battery Miami, Florida
7:00 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium
Attendance: 1,308
Referee: Gabriele Giusti
July 22 21 Charleston Battery 3–1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Report Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 3,703
July 29 22 Birmingham Legion 1–2 Charleston Battery Birmingham, Alabama
6:30 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Protective Stadium
Attendance: 5,212
Referee: Matt Thompson
August 4 23 Charleston Battery 0–1 Oakland Roots Mount Pleasant, SC
4:30 PM EDT Report Dodson 41' (o.g.) Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 2,487
Referee: John Griggs
August 9 24 Louisville City 1–1 Charleston Battery Louisville, Kentucky
8:00 PM EDT Lancaster 67' Report Palma  73'
Ycaza 80'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 7,285
Referee: Brandon Stevis
Assistant referees: Nicholas Balcer
Assistant referees: Eric Burton
Fourth official: Benjamin Meyer
August 12 25 Detroit City FC 0–1 Charleston Battery Hamtramck, Michigan
7:30 PM EDT Lewis  7'
Bryant  27'
Levis  81'		 Report Palma  40'
Williams 71'
Reedy  75'
Booth  90+5'		 Stadium: Keyworth Stadium
Attendance: 7,022
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
August 19 26 Orange County SC 2–0 Charleston Battery Irvine, California
7:00 PM EDT B. Iloski 45'+1'
M. Iloski  48'
Scott  58'
Lambe 62'		 Report Wynne  26'
Palma  43'
Avila  45'+2'
Dodson  60'		 Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
Aug 26 27 Charleston Battery 1–0 Memphis 901 FC Mt. Pleasant, SC
7:30 PM EDT Report Stadium: Patriots Point
Attendance: 4,004
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
September 2 28 New Mexico United 0–1 Charleston Battery Albuquerque, New Mexico
10:00 PM EDT Report
Stadium: Isotopes Park
Attendance: 9,034
Referee: Alejo Calume
September 9 29 Charleston Battery 2–0 San Diego Loyal SC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:30 PM EDT Trager 45'+1', 47'
Ycaza  45'+3'
Dodson  70'		 Report Stoneman  66'
Damus  71'
Guzmán  76'		 Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 3,691
Referee: Gerald Flores
September 16 30 Loudoun United 2–2 Charleston Battery Leesburg, VA
7:00 PM EDT Report Stadium: Segra Field
Attendance: 3,017
Referee: Alex Billeter
September 23 31 Charleston Battery 2–1 FC Tulsa Charleston, South Carolina
7:30 PM EDT Report Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 2,945
September 30 32 El Paso Locomotive FC 3–2 Charleston Battery El Paso, Texas
10:30 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Southwest University Park
Attendance: 6,736
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
October 7 33 Charleston Battery 1–2 Miami FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
6:00 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 4,463
Referee: DeShun Beard
October 14 34 Charleston Battery 1–0 Birmingham Legion Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
4:00 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 3,265
Referee: Austin Saini

[29]

USL Championship Playoffs

Main article: 2023 USL Championship Playoffs
October 22 Conference Quarter-final Charleston Battery 5–0Indy ElevenMount Pleasant, South Carolina
4:00 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 2,972
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
October 28, 2023 (2023-10-28) Conference Semi-final Charleston Battery 2–1 Birmingham Legion FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:00 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 2,762
Referee: Elton Garcia
November 4 Conference Final Charleston Battery 2–1Louisville City FCMount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 4,438
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
November 12, 2023 (2023-11-12) USL Championship Final Charleston Battery 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(2–3 p)		 Phoenix Rising FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:00 PM EST
PHX Report
CHS Report
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 5,094
Referee: Elton Garcia
Penalties

U.S. Open Cup

Main article: 2023 U.S. Open Cup

Charleston Battery entered into the tournament in the 2nd Round.[30]

April 4 Second Round Charleston Battery (USLC) 4–1 Savannah Clovers FC (NISA)Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:00 PM EDT
Report
  • Sanchez 76'
 Stadium: Patriots Point
Attendance: 1,617
Referee: Amiel Aleman
April 25 Third Round Charleston Battery (USLC) 1–0 (a.e.t.) Charlotte Independence (USL1)Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:00 PM EDT
Report Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 1,151
Referee: Andrew Musashe
May 9 Round of 32 Inter Miami CF (MLS) 1–0 Charleston Battery (USLC)Fort Lauderdale, Florida
7:00 PM EDT
Report Stadium: DRV PNK Stadium
Attendance: 2,726
Referee: Jonathan Bilinski

References

  1. ^ "charleston-battery-team-stats-2022". Charleston Battery. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "Battery come up short in Open Cup loss to Tormenta". Charleston Battery.
  3. ^ "Charleston Battery and Conor Casey Mutually Agree to Part Ways".
  4. ^ "Battery appoint Ben Pirmann as Head Coach". Charleston Battey.
  5. ^ "Battery announce initial returning players for 2023". Charleston Battery.
  6. ^ "Battery ink midfielder Emilio Ycaza to multi-year deal". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  7. ^ "Battery sign versatile defender Derek Dodson". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  8. ^ "Battery add English midfielder Chris Allan on multi-year contract". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  9. ^ "Battery sign former Colombia youth international Juan Sebastián Palma". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  10. ^ "Battery bring aboard goalkeeper Trey Muse". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  11. ^ "Battery sign New Zealand international Deklan Wynne to multi-year contract". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  12. ^ "Battery add attacking midfielder Handwalla Bwana". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  13. ^ "Battery acquire Tristan Trager from Atlanta". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  14. ^ "Battery sign veteran defender AJ Cochran". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  15. ^ "Battery sign goalkeeper Danny Fischer to Academy contract". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  16. ^ "Battery sign Nick Markanich after impressive preseason".
  17. ^ "Battery sign Dante Polvara on loan from Aberdeen FC". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Battery sign local players Charlie and Mattie Dennis to Academy contracts". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  19. ^ "Battery add New Zealand youth international Jesse Randall". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  20. ^ "Battery sign Mexican midfielder Arturo Rodríguez". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  21. ^ "Battery acquire Beto Avila on loan from Houston Dynamo". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  22. ^ "Battery reinforce midfield with Pierre Reedy signing". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  23. ^ "Battery acquire defender Mark Segbers from Miami FC". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Battery announce initial returning players for 2023". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  25. ^ "Adams completes transfer to North Carolina FC". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  26. ^ "Dante Polvara completes successful Battery loan, returns to Aberdeen". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  27. ^ "Battery to host Charlotte FC, Univ. of South Carolina and more in 2023 preseason". Charleston Battery. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  28. ^ Charleston Battery [@Chas_Battery] (April 22, 2023). "#CHSvLOU Update" (Tweet). Charleston, SC. Retrieved April 23, 2023 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "Charleston Battery 2023 USL Championship Results". ESPN. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  30. ^ "Let the Cupsets Begin: #USOC2023 Second Round Pairings Set | U.S. Soccer Official Website". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
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