If there's one fixture you circle this weekend on the USL Championship calendar, it's Charleston Battery versus Colorado Springs at Patriots Point—a battle bristling with storylines and a potential turning point in the playoff narrative. Charleston, sitting pretty in second, have swagger in their step but a record to chase and a ghost to exorcise: they've never beaten Colorado Springs in their brief history, with the Switchbacks holding a 2W-0L-1D advantage in head-to-head matchups. The home crowd will be hungry not just for a win, but for vengeance and a crack at history.
Charleston stride into this clash after an unexpected bye week, forced courtesy of Sacramento's cup final run. That rest could be a double-edged sword—sure, their legs are fresh, but will their rhythm return seamlessly after the break? Their last act was a comeback draw in Orange County, rescued by late strikes from MD Myers and Rubio Rubín. That's emblematic of their season: not always dominant, but relentlessly resilient.
Colorado Springs, meanwhile, are on a knife's edge in the playoff race. They snapped a three-match losing skid last week with a narrow win over San Antonio, thanks to Juan Tejada's opener and some stubborn defending. It was far from a clinic, but at this stage of the season, ugly wins are sometimes the only currency that matters. Yet, their overall form raises eyebrows—just one win in their last five, stumbling to score, and averaging barely 0.6 goals per game over their last ten matches.
This is a tale of two attacks, but the contrast could not be sharper. Charleston boast the Golden Boot frontrunner Cal Jennings (16 goals), backed by the predatory MD Myers (13 goals). Together, they've been the engine room for the Battery's title charge, combining for 29 goals and a barrage of assists, both leaders in league-wide goal involvements. Jennings, in particular, is close to landmark territory with his 150th career appearance—a talismanic presence who thrives on big stages.
Colorado Springs, on the other hand, have leaned on Y. Hanya and Tejada for sparks, but their attack rarely catches fire for long stretches. They're dangerous in transition but often lack the precision to pick apart compact blocks. Their away record is fraught: conceding nearly two goals per game and winning just 23% of road fixtures. In the cauldron of Patriots Point, where Charleston have an imposing 83% win rate at home, that's a tactical matchup that feels lopsided.
Expect Charleston to press high and force Colorado Springs onto the back foot early, leveraging their intimidating front two. The Battery's shape under Ben Pirmann is disciplined: they often deploy a 4-2-3-1 that morphs fluidly, with Graham Smith anchoring midfield and spraying passes to wide overloads. Jennings drifts nastily off the shoulder, while Myers pounces on second balls—a relentless cycle of pressure and recovery. Colorado Springs must absorb and counter, probably via a low block with fullbacks tucked tight and Tejada/Hanya tasked with springing the traps.
But here's where it gets fascinating: Colorado Springs are no strangers to the underdog role and relish games where they can cede possession, disrupt rhythm, and go direct. They’ll try to exploit any Charleston complacency after the bye, banking on the chaos of late-night football to conjure moments of opportunism. Both squads average low xG per game lately, so don't expect a shootout—this could hinge on which defense bends less.
Individual duels will define the night. Smith versus Hanya in midfield is a tactical chess match—Smith the metronome, Hanya the disruptor. Out wide, Charleston’s fullbacks surge forward, but that leaves space for Colorado Springs to counter if they win the turnover battle. In the box, Jennings versus the Switchbacks’ center backs will be a physical war; if Jennings gets space on crosses, Colorado Springs could find themselves in deep trouble.
The stakes, of course, go beyond three points. For Charleston, a win matches their club record for regular season victories—a milestone that would underline their status as title favorites and further validate Pirmann's vision. For Colorado Springs, this is a lifeline: nick a result here, and the playoff door stays ajar; lose, and the margins tighten, with the season threatening to slip away.
Don't blink: Charleston, rested and ruthless at home, will push the tempo from the start, hungry for history. Yet Colorado Springs, the wary champion, might just have the counterpunch ready for a classic spoiler role. Expect tactical fireworks, nervy moments, and a fixture that feels every bit like playoff soccer in October. One side chasing records and redemption, the other fighting for survival. That's exactly how it should be.