CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati and the Eastern Conference-leading Charleston Battery meet for the second time this season, and the first at Nippert Stadium since last season’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinal of the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Matchcenter: http://bit.ly/2sxs2sF | Tickets: http://bit.ly/2oz3nlc | Broadcast: WSTR (CIN), WCIV (CHS)

FC Cincinnati news and notes

• Current record: 4-5-4, 16pts

• FC Cincinnati played to a 1-1 draw with the Charlotte Independence last Saturday night in front of 21,115 fans at Nippert Stadium.

• Justin Hoyte scored his first goal for Cincinnati just before halftime to get the hosts back on level terms, and the side earned a point in the first Queen City Cup clash of the season.

• FCC advanced to the Fifth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night as a crowd of 30,160 fans saw the side defeat Columbus Crew SC 1-0 to advance.

• Cincinnati will remain on home turf in the Fifth Round after it was drawn to face the four-time Open Cup champion Chicago Fire on June 28.

Charleston Battery news and notes

• Current record: 8-2-3, 27pts

• The Battery moved four points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 win against the Richmond Kickers last Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium.

• Justin Portillo scored his second goal of the season from the penalty spot to extend the Battery’s undefeated streak against the Kickers to eight games.

• Charleston came close to earning an upset in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, twice taking the lead before falling 3-2 to Atlanta United FC.

• The Battery are expected to have Romario Williams available for selection after his appearance on Tuesday night for Jamaica in an international exhibition against Peru.

Series Notes

• Charleston has never lost to Cincinnati, having earned a 2-1 victory when they met on the opening night of the 2017 season to stretch their series lead to 3-0-1.

Squads

• Cincinnati – GK: Mitch Hildebrandt, Dan Williams, Dallas Jaye; D: Matt Bahner, Tyler Polak, Harrison Delbridge, Pat McMahon, Austin Berry, Garrett Halfhill, Justin Hoyte, Mele Temguia, Josue Currais; M: Aodhan Quinn, Kenney Walker, Paul Nicholson, Eric Stevenson, Aaron Walker, Corben Bone, Jimmy McLaughlin, Marco Dominguez; F: Kadeem Dacres, Djiby Fall, Danny König, Omar Cummings, Daryl Fordyce, Andrew Wiedeman, Victor Mansaray

• Charleston – GK: Alex Tambakis, Odisnel Cooper, Joe Kuzminski; D: Forrest Lasso, Taylor Mueller, Skylar Thomas, O’Brian Woodbine, Quinton Griffith, Mikey Ambrose, Miles Robinson; M: Neveal Hackshaw, Ataulla Guerra, Chris Goslin, Dante Marini, Justin Portillo, Maikel Chang, Tah Brian Anunga, Kotaro Higashi, Ryan Arambula; F: Romario Williams, Heviel Cordoves, Ricky Garbanzo, Nico Rittmeyer, Jeffrey Otoo, Robbie Robinson

Discipline

• Cincinnati – Accumulation warning: Kenney Walker

• Charleston – None

Officials

• REF: ERIC TATTERSALL

• AR1: Maggie Short

• AR2: Matthew Rodman

• 4TH: Kevin Fikar

Game hashtag:

• #CINvCHS

Twitter social handles

• FC Cincinnati – @FCCincinnati

• Charleston Battery – @Chas_Battery