Three Thoughts After Charleston Pummels San Antonio 4-0
A brace from Cal Jennings leads Battery to 6th straight league win
It was supposed to be a thrilling matchup between two of the best teams in the USL Championship. A top 5 matchup that some predicted could be a preview of the 2025 USL Final.
Instead, it was an absolute beatdown.
The Charleston Battery (7-0-2) handled San Antonio (5-1-4) with ease, winning 4-0 at home. It’s the club’s 6th straight victory in league play and has launched them into first place in both the Eastern Conference and the entire league.
Three thoughts from last night’s victory:
1. Brace for the Birthday Boy
Cal Jennings scored twice, once from the spot in the 24th minute and a 59th minute tap in that all but sealed the win. On the day he turned 28, Jennings moved into sole possession of first place in the golden boot race, now with 9 scored this season. It’s a heck of a birthday present for the first year member of the club.
He’s on pace for 31 goals this season, a mark which would break the record of 30 set by Nick Markanich just six months ago. Little early for goal counting? Maybe. But Jennings has settled well into Ben Pirrman’s attack.
Jennings’ decision to sign with the Battery sent shock waves through the league during the offseason, with many predicting an already potent offense could become even more dangerous. He’s got a goal or assist in 8 straight games; those predictions look like they’re coming true.
2. Two Recent Records Could Fall?
Markanich’s single season goal record wasn’t the only record set by Charleston in 2024. 42 goals between the strike paring of Markanich and MD Myers became a USL record as well. Jennings may have trouble eclipsing the 30 mark alone, but this one looks well and truly in danger.
Myers nearly scored last night (just about everyone but goalkeeper Luis Zamudio did) but even without a goal, he’s still got 5 of his own in just 6 starts. Jennings and Myers have 14 between them, on pace for 54 between the two. The Battery are averaging 2.2 goals per game this season, and 3.7 in their last 3 (goal tallies of 4, 3 and 4 again). The offense is red hot, let’s see if it can stay that way as the summer heats up, too.
3. Rotating Door On Defense
Last night had, by my count, Charleston’s 8th different combination of its back four in 9 league games. With captain Leland Archer still sidelined by injury, the defense has been a mixture of rookies, loanees, and defensive midfielders dropping back a line.
And yet, it’s working.
Last night was the second shutout in league play of the season for Charleston, and the 6th of 9 league games allowing a single goal or less. Joey Akpunonu continues to have a breakout season, the 23-year-old blocked two shots along with 13 clearances. He’s likely cemented his place in the starting centerback paring once Archer returns.
Houssou Landry was a force as well, with a number of counter-attack killing tackles and deflections. The Ivorian has started every league game this season, and his ball tracking ability has set the pace for much of the defense.
San Antonio fired 12 shots, but only 2 were on target and only once was Zamudio even remotely challenged, and that shot didn’t come until the second minute of added time. Charleston controlled this one basically from whistle to whistle, and that control really stemmed from the built-on-the-fly back four.
Up Next:
Charleston heads to 5th place Detroit City, hoping to beat Le Rouge for the first time since August 2023.
San Antonio will lick their wounds against Tulsa FC on Saturday.