Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Thursday, March 6, 2014
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Defenders John Wilson and Taylor Mueller have both signed for the Charleston Battery and will return for the upcoming USL PRO season. Veteran defender Wilson will be playing in his 12th season as a Charleston Battery player while Mueller returns for a third year; both players have signed pending USSF approval.
“John had a fantastic season last year and being able to sign him for another year is very important to our experience in the defense and with the entire team," Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser said. "Taylor is another experienced defender who has played many games and we look forward to having him to solidify our 2014 back line.”
Wilson has played on three of the Battery’s four championship winning teams (2003, 2010 & 2012) his career Charleston Battery totals includes 246 games played (second all-time), 21,501 minutes, 3 goals and 11 assists.
A native of Seneca, S.C., Wilson began his pro career with the Charleston Battery in 1999. After an outstanding rookie season Wilson joined Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards in 2000. Wilson returned to the Battery in 2001 and spent three seasons with the club including 2003 when he was a member of the Championship winning team.
In 2004 Wilson moved to the Rochester Rhinos then a year later was signed by Major League Soccer’s D.C. United. After three years with D.C. United Wilson rejoined the Battery before the start of the 2008 season and was a member of the Battery team that lost in the 2008 Open Cup final against D.C. United.
Wilson helped the Battery win the 2010 USL Second Division Championship and announced his retirement from pro soccer after the game but reversed his decision prior to the start of the 2011 season.
In 2012 Wilson switched to his favored left-back position and played 23 games as the Battery claimed its fourth USL Championship.
The 36-year-old Wilson, 5-foot-9, 170 lbs., had an outstanding college career at Clemson University and was named All-ACC in 1997 and 1998. He played in 57 matches for the Tigers, scored 18 goals and added 35 assists in his career. Wilson helped Clemson to an ACC Championship, No. 1 national ranking and Final Eight NCAA finish in 1998.
Mueller returns to the Battery for a third season. Mueller played 16 games in 2013 both in a central and wide defensive role, and was a member of the Charleston Battery’s 2012 USL PRO championship winning team.
Mueller was a four-year starter at the University of Washington. A native of Sammamish, Wash., the 25-year-old Mueller, 6-foot-2, 180 lbs., scored two goals in 76 games for the Huskies.
Charleston Battery opens season against Orlando City
The Charleston Battery will kick off their USL PRO season at Blackbaud Stadium on Saturday, March 22 against Orlando City; gates open at 6 p.m. with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Season Ticket packages, which include a ticket to all home Charleston Battery games, are on sale now. Individual and group tickets for the USL PRO regular season will go on sale on Monday, March 10 at 10 a.m. To purchase season tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.