After a power outage forced their match to be put off for two nights, the Battery and Atlanta Silverbacks play their pivotal Central Conference match at 7:30 tonight at Blackbaud Stadium.
Charleston (13-6-1, 59 points) is currently in second place in the Central, just seven points behind the Richmond Kickers (14-5-3, 66 points). However, Charleston has played two fewer games than Richmond. The Silverbacks (12-8-1) are third in the conference with 55 points.
The significance of the match was heightened over the weekend, when the Kickers picked up just one point from a two-game, home-and-home set with Charlotte. The conference rivals played to a 0-0 tie in Richmond on Friday night - worth one point for each team - before the Eagles won in Charlotte, 2-1, on Saturday night.
The Battery's six remaining games include an Aug. 31 home match against Richmond.
"It gives us great incentive, and it's down to us to take the initiative. That's what we'll be looking to do. I know the players are up for it," Battery coach Alan Dicks said.
"It will will be a very tense game, one of the most important games of the season."
While the Battery hopes to catch the Kickers, there are several clubs, including the Silverbacks, who are hoping to leapfrog Charleston. Only five points separate the Battery from the fifth-place Nashville Metros, who like the Eagles have 54 points.
On Friday night, Atlanta rode Ignace Moleka's goal and two assists to a 3-2 home victory over Indiana, which was worth five standings points.
"It's a very finely balanced thing at the moment," Dicks said of the close Central race.
On the coming weekend, the Battery heads west for a two-game road swing, playing the Vancouver Whitecaps at 10 p.m. EDT Friday in British Columbia and the Portland (Ore.) Timbers at 5:15 p.m. EDT Sunday.
BATTERY AT HOME
• What: Rescheduled A-League Central Conference match
• Who: Atlanta Silverbacks (12-8-1, 55 points) at Charleston Battery (13-6-1, 59 points)
• When, Where: 7:30 p.m. today, Blackbaud Stadium (5,113), Daniel Island
• Tickets: $6-$12; call 971-4625 or visit www.etix.com; gates open at 6:30 p.m.
• Promotions: Trident Literacy Association Night (team will donate $2 to TLA for every fan who donates a used book).
