CHARLESTON, S.C. – Handed his third start of the season for the Charleston Battery against ATL UTD 2 on Tuesday night, there was plenty of motivation for Gordon Wild to make an impact against players he competed against for much of preseason before being sent on loan to Charleston by Atlanta before the season kicked off.

With members of Atlanta’s leadership on hand at Coolray Field, Wild’s first two goals in the professional ranks showed off the finishing ability that made him so successful at the University of Maryland, and helped the Battery get back on track in the Eastern Conference with their second victory of the season.

“I have lots of friends on that team; I got to know them pretty well while I was there during preseason. I had a lot of fun and it was a very good win for us,” said Wild. “I slept very well after the game. It was a very good win, but that’s in the past now. We play Tampa on Saturday, so that’s the focus now.”

By their usual standards, the Battery are off to a slower start than normal, but after falling in two of their first three outings this season have taken five points from their last three games to begin a move up the standings. Those three contests wrapped up a four-game road trip that began with a disastrous 5-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls II. The response his side made to that result was pleasing to Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser.

“You have to commend the players; to be on the road for that long, going to different cities and different hotels and have still the mentality to go out there when your backs are up against the wall and compete is very impressive,” said Anhaeuser. “We tied two and won once, so to get five points out of those last three road games after giving up five goals is a tremendous accomplishment for us.”

The Battery now get to compete at home for the first time in more than a month on Saturday when they host the Tampa Bay Rowdies at MUSC Health Stadium (7 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+). It’s the first of a five-game home stand for the side over the next month that the Battery hope will drive the team forward in the pursuit of another trip to the USL Cup Playoffs.

With the Rowdies coming in with another strong squad, but the Battery having taken victory in two of the three meetings when the sides squared off a year ago, Saturday’s clash is shaping up as one that could have very narrow margins for success on either side.

As such, Wild is happy the Battery will have the advantage of home support.

“We have our fans here,” said Wild. “It’s our stadium. We don’t have to travel so we’re in our usual routine again. I think that’s always a little advantage and this is a game where a small advantage can have a big result.”