Toronto FC 2 v Charleston Battery, 7:30 pm ET
Stadium: Daniel Island (seats 5,100), natural grass
2014 record: 11-8-9 (WDL), 5th place, lost in quarterfinals to Richmond
Vague Toronto connection: TFC played in Charleston’s annual preseason tournament for several years, often losing to teams from much lower divisions
Club history: Rich. A club in the alphabet soup of lower divisions since 1992. Four times champions (1996, 2003, 2010 and 2012), the Battery are one of the top teams in USL year after year.
Club outlook: They are on a bit of a re-building phase, with significant turnover from the championship season in 2012. However, they are deep and will represent a significant test for TFC2.
Strengths: The back-line is sold, they allowed less than a goal a game in pre-season despite playing several MLS sides.
Weakness: There is some question about the forwards.
Key player: Jarad van Schaik – The club captain anchors the midfield.
Likelihood of a TFC2 win: It’s going to be tough. Without having seen the Field Marlies (HT to the Vocal Minority podcast for that one) play it’s hard to truly gauge their strength, but Charleston is experienced and battle tested.