Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery have added three players to their roster ahead of the club's USL PRO season opener on Saturday, April 9 against the Charlotte Eagles at Blackbaud Stadium. Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra comes to the Battery after two years with Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, defender Graham Dugoni arrives from Norway’s MjÃndalen IF and 18-year old Gambian forward Seedy Bah comes to the Battery for his rookie professional season.
Dykstra played two seasons with Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire making seventeen appearances. The 25-year-old Dykstra, who comes in at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, impressed during the recent Carolina Challenge Cup matches.
A native of Woodbridge, Virginia, Dykstra played his college soccer at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser said “Andrew is an excellent goalkeeper with a lot of potential. He is very big and strong and brings a lot of presence to his position.”
Dugoni joins the Battery after impressing at the Battery’s February trials. Dugoni was invited into camp and earned a contract following his performances in the Carolina Challenge Cup.
A native of Portland, Ore., Dugoni won the PDL championship in 2010 with the Portland Timber’s U23’s. Dugoni then joined Norweigan side MjÃndalen IF for a short spell before returning to the United States.
A 6-foot-2, 180-pound center back, Dugoni was a four-year starter at Duke University.
“Graham comes to us via our trials," Anhaeuser said. "He has performed at a very high level and has shown a lot of great qualities in a central defender. He is good in the air, on the defensive end and is not afraid to make his mark when needed.”
Bah also attended the Charleston Battery’s February trials after spending the early part of the 2011 preseason with MLS’s Seattle Sounders.
Bah grew up in Bakau, Gambia and has represented Gambia at the U17 level.
“Seedy is a young and talented forward from Gambia," Anhaeuser said. "He will bring a lot of energy and scoring prowess to a youthful front line that we have assembled this season.”