If you’ve spent any time at Patriots Point or the Tormenta Stadium in Statesboro, you know that Charleston Battery vs South Georgia Tormenta FC is more than just a typical cross-league fixture. It’s got that weird, electric energy that only pops up when a local underdog tries to punch a hole in the hull of a storied veteran.
Honestly, the "Southern Derby" vibes are real here. Charleston is the oldest continuously operating professional soccer club in the country, basically the royalty of the USL Championship. Then you have Tormenta, the scrappy USL League One side from Georgia that acts like they have absolutely nothing to lose.
What happened the last time they met?
The most recent clash on April 15, 2025, in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round, was a absolute masterclass in "it's not over until it's over," even if the scoreline looked lopsided. Charleston walked away with a 4-0 win at home, but that doesn't tell the whole story.
Tormenta actually had a chance to make it 1-1 with a penalty in the first half. Mason Tunbridge stepped up, but Battery keeper Christian Garner guessed right and smothered it. If that ball goes in, we’re talking about a completely different game. Instead, MD Myers went on a tear. He bagged a hat trick—his second against Tormenta in as many years—becoming the first player in the Open Cup’s modern era to hit hat tricks in back-to-back tournaments.
Chris Allan also opened his 2025 account that night. It was a brutal result for the Georgia boys, but the intensity they showed in the first 30 minutes proved they aren't scared of the "big brother" in the Championship.
The 2025 USL Cup Drama
Then you’ve got the June 28, 2025, match in the inaugural USL Cup. This one was a wild 3-3 draw that went to penalties.
🔗 Read more: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
Tormenta’s Niall Reid-Stephen scored a 95th-minute equalizer that sent the home crowd into a literal frenzy. Imagine the scene: Charleston leading 3-1 in the 64th minute after goals from Leland Archer, Cal Jennings, and Emilio Ycaza. It felt like a done deal. But Tormenta clawed back. Sebastian Vivas scored in the 83rd, and then that heart-stopper from Reid-Stephen at the death.
Charleston eventually won the shootout 5-4, but that match solidified the idea that Tormenta can hang with the heavyweights.
Why the 2026 Roster Moves Change the Equation
As we look toward the 2026 season, both squads are undergoing massive plastic surgery.
Charleston just made a huge splash by signing Sean Suber from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. He’s a 2025 All-League First Team defender and a USL Championship winner. Replacing a guy like Leland Archer—who entered free agency—is tough, but Suber is about as elite as it gets at this level.
On the flip side, Tormenta is in a bit of a "rebuild or reload" phase. They’ve lost some massive pieces to the Championship:
💡 You might also like: Why Netball Girls Sri Lanka Are Quietly Dominating Asian Sports
- Mason Tunbridge (the penalty taker from the Open Cup) moved to Miami FC.
- Niall Reid-Stephen (the equalizer king) is now with New Mexico United.
- Austin Pack, their rock in goal, headed to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Coach Ian Cameron has his work cut out for him, but they’ve kept Yaniv Bazini and brought in Lucca Dourado, a forward who knows how to find the back of the net. They also snagged Sean Lewis, the back-to-back League One Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Tactical Battle: Pirmann vs. Cameron
Ben Pirmann’s Charleston Battery usually plays a high-tempo, aggressive 4-2-3-1. They want to pin you in your own half and let guys like Aaron Molloy (who they wisely kept for 2026) pull the strings in midfield.
Tormenta, however, thrives on the transition. They are happy to let Charleston have the ball, wait for a mistake, and then explode through the wings. Even with Reid-Stephen gone, their system remains focused on that quick-strike counter. It makes for a "cat and mouse" game that is genuinely fun to watch if you're a neutral.
Key Matchup History and Stats
If you're looking at the raw numbers for Charleston Battery vs South Georgia Tormenta FC, Charleston holds the upper hand with 3 wins to Tormenta's 1 in recent professional meetings.
However, the "friendly" nature of these clubs belies a real competitive edge. There were multiple yellow cards in their 2025 meetings, showing that neither side treats this like a preseason jog.
📖 Related: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
What to watch for in 2026:
- The Suber Effect: Can the new Charleston defense handle Tormenta's pace without Archer?
- Tormenta's New Identity: With their top two scorers moving up to the Championship, who becomes the "go-to" guy in Statesboro?
- The Open Cup Factor: These two always seem to find each other in the bracket. Keep an eye on the Third Round pairings.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to catch the next installment of this rivalry, here’s what you need to do.
First, check the USL Cup schedule. Since this cross-league tournament started in 2025, it’s the most likely place these two will meet outside of the Open Cup.
Second, follow the youth debuts. Charleston gave Viggo Ortiz his pro debut at 16 against Tormenta. Both clubs are massive proponents of playing the kids, and these matches are often where you see the next big USMNT prospect first.
Finally, get to the stadium early. The "The Regiment" (Charleston’s supporters) and Tormenta’s fans travel well for this one. The atmosphere is consistently better than your average Tuesday night cup game.
Keep an eye on the official USL Championship and League One websites for the 2026 schedule releases, which usually drop in late January. This is a matchup that rarely disappoints.