The Prematch Lookout: Charleston Battery vs Rhode Island FC - 9/26/2026

Rhode Island FC are headed to the Low Country to take on the Charleston Battery on Saturday night. There's already a long history between the two teams with Saturday's game set to be the 8th meeting between them in three seasons. The last time they played was earlier this season in April when RIFC got a 4-0 win. A JJ Williams brace along with goals from Jojea Kwizera and Dwayne Atkinson made the difference. None of those three players will be there on Saturday though and it's bound to be a much different affair. Here's what to expect heading into the weekend:

Last Time Out

RIFC lost 2-1 at home against Miami FC last weekend. It was a horrible result and setback for a team that is trying to move further above the playoff line. Goals from Arney Rocha and Denilson Milanes were what got Miami FC the three points. Karifa Yao got the lone RIFC goal.

Players to Watch

Koke Vegas (GK)

• Koke appeared to hurt his ankle late against Miami FC but he should still be good to go against Charleston. Perhaps even more important than his play on the field is his leadership. The team will need it after such a disappointing result and performance last time out

Amos Shapiro-Thompson (MF)

• Amos has become arguably the most important player in the team in recent months after the departure of fellow midfielder Clay Holstad and a recent injury to Hugo Bacharach. He'll need to be relied on heavily again on Saturday

Osman Foyo (FW)

• With Jojea Kwizera and Dwayne Atkinson away on international duty, Osman becomes even more vital to the team's attack. He's mostly been deployed on the right wing and he'll surely be there again in Charleston. I'd like to see a little more out of him and hopefully he can get his first goal contribution

Storyline

Bounce Back

It's a pretty easy one this week. RIFC need to find a way to respond after last week's disaster. And they'll need to do it without some players. As I already mentioned, Jojea Kwizera is going to be out for this one. I'd say the team will miss him on the right wing but seeing as Khano Smith has been playing him at left back in order to "get his best attacking players out there at the same time", that isn't really the case. Still, he will be missed along with Dwayne Atkinson, who usually comes off the bench. Regardless, the team has enough talent available to get back on track Saturday even though it will probably be a tough task.

Last Time Out

Charleston took all three points against Monterey Bay last weekend with a 1-0 win. Second half substitute Camilo Sanchez provided the game's only goal. The win kept the Battery in second place in the Eastern Conference.

Players to Watch

Daniel Kuzemka (GK)

• Charleston have started a few different goalkeepers this season. For the majority of the year it was Luis Zamudio. However, Kuzemka made his first appearance last week against Monterey Bay and got a clean sheet. It'll be interesting to see who starts on Saturday

Jeremy Kelly (MF/FW)

• Kelly has been Charleston's best and most consistent performer this season. He leads the team and league in assists with 9. That includes an assist in each of his last three games. Slowing him down will be critical for RIFC

Miguel Berry (FW)

• Berry leads the team in goal contributions with 12 (7 goals and 5 assists). He's on a good run of form lately with two of those goals coming two weeks ago against Birmingham Legion

Storyline

Capture the Breeze Cup

Ok being honest here, I'm not being serious about the Breeze Cup. In reality, Charleston are just trying to maintain their spot in second in the Eastern Conference with a very outside chance to overtake the Rowdies in first. But I had to talk about the Breeze Cup somewhere. The marketing ploy that is the Breeze Cup is just the name given to the two meetings between RIFC and Charleston in the regular season. With RIFC winning the first leg 4-0, it'll take a lot for the Battery to turn it around. Most likely RIFC will walk away with the "trophy", which at this point is very likely the only one the team will get in 2026.

Prediction

Charleston Battery 2-1 Rhode Island FC

I think RIFC will bounce back with a better performance than last week. However, I don't think it'll be enough. We'll walk away with some encouragement, a moral victory, and a fake marketing trophy.

I'll be back here after the game for the Riptide Report where I'll give my immediate reaction to the performance and result. Hopefully I get to write something positive but I'm not holding my breath. No matter what though, it is and will always be....UP THE TIDE!