Under clear skies and warm temperatures, the Charleston Battery welcomed Detroit City FC to Patriots Point for a much-anticipated USL Championship clash. The evening also marked Military Appreciation Night, adding a patriotic backdrop to the proceedings.
Early Fireworks
The Battery struck first in the 14th minute when Colton Swan rose to meet a Nathan Messer corner, heading the ball past the Detroit keeper for his seventh goal of the campaign. Just two minutes later, Langston Blackstock capitalized on a swift counter, slotting home to double the lead.
Luis Zamudio, the Battery’s goalkeeper, cemented his reputation with a series of crucial saves, including a diving stop on Tommy Silva in the 39th minute and another key stop on Ryan Williams in stoppage time. His four saves in the first half helped preserve the clean sheet.
Coach Ben Pirmann praised the squad’s composure and execution, noting that the team’s overall performance was "complete" despite a relatively even first half. The shutout also marked the club’s first home victory over the Michigan side in the all‑time series.
The second half saw several substitutions, with Chris Allan and Alex Hughes entering the fray in the 90th minute, while Kirill Pakhomov narrowly missed a third goal when his strike was saved by Herrera.
Beyond the result, the match showcased standout individual performances. Swan’s contribution extended beyond the goal, as he logged a co‑match‑high seven duels won and created two clear chances. Midfielders Jeremy Kelly and Douglas Martinez each secured three tackles, underscoring the team’s work rate.
Looking ahead, the Battery will host Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on June 6 in the USL Cup before turning their attention to a league encounter with FC Tulsa the following Saturday. Both matches promise to test the momentum built at Patriots Point.