Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Thursday, April 7, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery begins the defense of its USL championship on Saturday night against long-time rival the Charlotte Eagles; gates open at 6 p.m. with kick off set for 7:30 p.m. ($10 - $18, (843) 971-GOAL (4625) / www.charlestonbattery.com). The Battery defeated the Richmond Kickers 2-1 in the 2010 title game, while the Eagles just missed the playoffs; Saturday’s match with Charlotte continues a rivalry that is entering its 19th season.
The Charleston Battery first played the Charlotte Eagles in both clubs’ inaugural seasons back in 1993. The teams met twice that year with the Battery winning both games, 3-1 at home and 1-0 in the return fixture. Over the past 18 years the teams have met 28 times in competitive fixtures (regular season, post-season & US Open Cup) with Charleston winning 19 games, losing five with four ties.
Charleston head coach Mike Anhaeuser will be entering his seventh season at the helm of the Battery on Saturday evening. Anhaeuser has managed to bring back the nucleus of the side that won last year’s championship; in all 11 players return including veteran midfielder Stephen Armstrong who will also serve as an assistant coach for the 2011 campaign.
Other returnees include defenders Mike Zaher, Nigel Marples, Colin Falvey, John Wilson and goalkeeper Keith Wiggans.
In the midfield Kevin Jackson, John Gruenewald, Brandon Massie and former College of Charleston stand-out Zach Prince return, along with forward Levi Coleman.
New international players include New Zealand’s Cole Peverley, 18-year-old Gambian forward Seedy Bah, Scottish midfielder Nicki Patterson plus two young Jamaican prospects in midfielder Evan Taylor and forward Dane Kelly.
Former Chicago Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra will compete with Wiggans for the starting role; other new players include defenders Mark Wiltse and Graham Dugoni; and midfielders Alex Caskey and JC Mack.
The Battery played Charlotte four times last year winning three times and losing once. Charleston will visit Charlotte for a game on April 29; the teams meet for a third match in the regular season finale on Friday, August 12 at Blackbaud Stadium.
Charlotte has won the USL Championship twice, in 2000 and most recently in 2005 and has reached the final on eight occasions including 2008 and 2009; Charlotte missed the playoffs in 2010, finishing fourth (top three advanced).
The Eagles are led by one of the most experienced coaches in U.S. Soccer, Mark Steffens, who is currently in his 15th season as head coach for the Eagles.
Anhaeuser will be hoping to continue a long run of good league form at home; in 2010 the Battery were undefeated at Blackbaud Stadium during the regular season and have not lost a regular season match at home since September 6, 2009.
Game tickets, Promotions & Fireworks
Saturday’s home opener is presented by BlueWater Benefits and everyone in attendance will receive a complimentary schedule cup. Fans can enjoy $2 drafts until kickoff in the Battery beer garden and at halftime one lucky fan will have the chance to win $10,000 in the Heritage Trust Kick for Cash. Immediately following the game there will be a season opening fireworks display!
Tickets for the game are available starting at just $10 with discounts for groups of 10 or more; to purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.
Charleston Battery team Physician Dr. David Geier is blogging
Charleston Battery team physician Dr. David Geier is now blogging about the Battery (and lots of other interesting sports-related subjects). Keep up to date with what is going on in the Sports Medicine world and more by following his blog at www.DrDavidGeier.com or on Twitter @DrDavidGeier.