USL PRO Season Preview
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
For Charleston Battery midfielder Nicki Paterson, one game in particular stands out from his club’s championship season in 2012.
“It just seemed to come to us on a road trip at the end of the season where we went to play Rochester,” Paterson said recently. “We beat them 4-0 on the road, and that just changed the whole mentality. The whole team just seemed to pull together, we found a starting 11 that was working and everybody was playing well and healthy, and we went on a four-, five-game winning streak at the end. It was just that relief that you could do it, and then as soon as Wilmington beat Orlando in the semifinal, and we knew we were hosting the final, I don’t think anybody on our team thought we were going to lose that game.”
The Battery’s run to the title was an impressive one, with the side finding the consistency it needed at just the right moment to make their run through the USL PRO Playoffs. Now, six months later, many familiar faces are back at Blackbaud Stadium as Charleston not only prepares to defend its title, but also aims to find greater consistency throughout the season.
While the club has lost some important pieces from last year, Tony Donatelli and Kyle Hoffer joining expansion club VSI Tampa Bay FC and Ryan Richter currently on trial with Toronto FC, when Paterson looks around the locker room, he sees a more experienced group than the Battery have had in recent seasons.
“Coach [Mike Anhaeuser] has picked up a few guys who will definitely fill the void of those guys leaving,” Paterson said, “and then guys like Jose Cuevas, going into his second year, John Wilson and Colin Falvey have been at the club for several years, I’m now in my third year here, Zach Prince is in his third year, there’s a lot of guys who aren’t rookies anymore.”
Cuevas in particular could be set for an even more successful campaign than 2012, which saw him claim Rookie of the Year honors. Paterson believes Cuevas has matured this offseason, now having a better understanding of what it takes to reach the next level thanks to a spell with the Seattle Sounders FC this preseason.
“The one thing anyone will know about Jose when you see him play is the boy’s got talent,” Paterson said. “He’s quicker than a lot of people give him credit for, his feet are really good, a lot of quality, but the most important thing for Jose is that he knows where the goal is, and whether it be a practice game in training, whether it be a league game, or whatever, we know that if he gets a chance, more often than not he’s going to score.
“He’s had a little taste of what training’s like in MLS with Seattle for a week, he knows the work those guys put in, and then the little things like his diet and the way he lives off the field, he’s only going to get better and better and better. If he keeps improving there, his output on the field is only going to get better, so I’m expecting the same, if not more from him this year.”
As for Paterson, he has some impressive performances to live up to himself. After scoring 18 goals in USL PRO’s regular season the past two years, taking All-League First Team honors in the process last fall, Paterson’s eye for goal has been a big key to the Battery’s success.
While Paterson certainly would like to match his goal-scoring performances of the past two seasons, however, his principle focus is on doing what he can to make sure the Battery’s title defense is a successful one.
“It’s funny, I remember the year before I scored eight goals and I thought to myself, ‘well, I’m up against it this year, I’m going to have to score eight goals just to keep the coach happy and the fans happy’,” Paterson said. “I didn’t know where those eight goals had come from, because I had been playing defensive midfield the year prior to that, so having scored eight, I was like, ‘if I can score eight again, I’ll be quite happy’, and then last year it was 12.”
“I wouldn’t say I surprised myself, because I always feel like I’m capable of scoring, but I’m excited to see how it goes again this year. If I don’t score 12 goals, if I score five and we win a championship again, that’s success for me. As everybody knows, I’m a team guy first and foremost, and if they need me to come up and score goals then I’ll do everything I can, wherever coach wants to play me.”
That attitude, and ability, was what caused the New York Red Bulls to take a long look at Paterson this offseason, with the 28-year-old being one of the last players released at the end of the preseason. The extended spell with New York has seen Paterson get some extra rest of late in the Battery’s preseason, with Anhaeuser making sure one of his key players is fresh to start the season. With the Battery now focused on their April 13th opener against Richmond, Paterson is eager for the new season, and the league’s new era, to arrive.
“These affiliations with MLS teams, the games between the MLS [reserve] teams [and USL PRO teams], just the overall level of things like the USL Combine, and guys who don’t catch on with MLS teams coming down, I think the relationship is huge,” Paterson said. “I would love to be 21 again and have the USL be at this stage. I think it’s exciting, and I think it’s only going to get better over the next few years.”
“We truly believe in supporting events in the community that bring value to Richmond and its residents,” said Amanda Marable, Loveland Distributing Brand Activation Manager. “We are happy to partner with the Richmond Kickers and help them improve the fan experience at City Stadium. We believe that these games will be a great place for families and friends to gather to support their hometown team.”
Among the key players returning are defenders Harry Sherwood and Carter Robbins, along with goalkeeper Erik Mozzo. Other returnees include forward Jorge Martinez, midfielders Stephen Millage, Mark Mitchell and Bennie Bardales, and defenders Byron Ramirez Knowles and Jordan Devlin.
Noone comes to Tampa days after winning the MISL Championship with the Baltimore Blast. Noone joins his Blast teammate Tony Donatelli in Tampa for VSI Tampa Bay FC’s 2013 inaugural season in USL PRO. In his indoor career, Noone has recorded 50 appearances and 21 goals with the Blast.
"We are very excited to be able to have these five players join this year’s team," said Crossfire General Manager Gary Whitehouse. “This year’s group from UW will help build the nucleus of our team for 2013.”
“Signing Kevin and Jared is an important piece of our squad," said Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser. "Kevin is back in goal for his second season and Jared brings quality and depth in our midfield from the Puerto Rico Islanders. We are looking forward to both of them contributing this season.”
“I had the privilege of coaching Shannon for two W-League seasons in Vancouver," Sounders head coach, Hubert Busby Jr., said. "She has a great attitude towards the game and is very coachable. More importantly, she is always willing to do what is best for the team.”
For Tampa Bay, led by a pair of men in Coach Matt Weston and Director of Soccer Clay Roberts who had coached and played in the league, the search began with a list.
The Brilla returns their leading scorer from last season, Felipe Silva. A native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Silva returns to Brilla upon being named an NAIA All-American at Hannibal-LaGrange University after scoring 18 goals and adding 15 assists for the Trojans. These numbers earned him the single-season school record for assists and points. In addition to All-American honors, Silva was named the American Mid West Conference Player of the Year. These incredible numbers make his impressive 2012 Brilla contributions of nine goals and two assists look paltry. The Brilla coaching staff is optimistic that he will continue to perform at this level.
“We are excited to build on the success the players had last year,” said Coach Darren Sawatzky. “The U23 squad represents the next step to the first team for our academy products and it gives the top college players in the country a place to showcase as they look to the next level.”
“Being away from the game was the hardest and most exciting thing in my life," Weber said. "I was pregnant and had a baby girl, so that was exciting, but it was hard to be away from the game for so long, I had never done that before. I’m thrilled to be coming back to soccer and having those late-night practices and then coming home to my six-month-old.”
“We walked away impressed with the talent that we saw at the Collegiate Trial,” Aztex Head Coach Paul Dalglish said. “These players represent the quality that we are looking for and will be a good fit for the Aztex.”
“When we discovered Brian was available on loan we knew we had to bring him back to Richmond,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “We were encouraged to find that Brian was just as excited to return to his hometown pro team and know that with his strong ties to the Strikers and Deep Run High School, he is a player the entire community can rally behind."
The Battery created the first chance of the game in the 29th minute after defender Micheal Azira slipped a pass through to midfielder Quinton Griffith on the right side of the box. Griffith took the pass in stride but his shot missed wide right. Five minutes later Charleston threatened again as forward Dane Kelly picked up a loose ball just outside the box on the left side. Kelly tried an early shot but curling effort sailed just wide.
The Blues have gone through a transformation this preseason, adding Warren Barton to the front office as the team’s general manager. And Barton’s first order of business was to name Jesus Rico-Sanz as head coach.
“It’s a great start. You can’t ask for anything better. The players played with great disciple. They were defensively strong,” said Blues head coach Jesus Rico-Sanz. “When we had the ball, they moved it well. The midfield played very well, first and second half. We missed the finishing in the last third. I’m very pleased.”
Richter logged 1,792 minutes with the Battery in 2012 and finished the season with two goals and four assists. Richter started all three of the Battery’s postseason games, including the Championship match.
“Josh came to our trial at Total Sports Experience in November, and we had a chance to see Reidy play earlier this month,” Myers said. “Both players were among the top players in their respective combine, so I started to talk to them about joining the club. I had a second chance to see Josh play at InfoSport Soccer Combine and left equally impressed with him. Both guys are getting their first opportunity to play professional soccer with their home town club, and we're happy to have them here.”
Ranked 25th in the USL First Division Top 25 of the Decade, Salles is immediately making an impact at VSI Tampa Bay FC as an experienced leader. Already leaving his mark on the pitch with goals in multiple preseason matches, Salles has shown the impact he will be able to have as part of the club's group of forwards. 
“Fortis BC is proud and happy to support the Highlanders,” said Bob Anderson Senior Manager, Residential & Commercial Energy Solutions. “Soccer is a high energy game and we’re in the business of providing energy. We can appreciate how important this kind of activity is to the community and are proud to be a part of it.”
