Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Thursday, June 30, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery take on the Los Angeles Blues on Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium; gates open at 6 p.m. with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ($10 - $18, 971-GOAL (4625) / www.charlestonbattery.com). The Battery (7-6-3, 24 points) enter the match on the back of a win and a loss last weekend that left Charleston in a tie for second position in the USL PRO American Division.
The Battery defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads on Friday night in Wilmington behind goals from forwards Seedy Bah and Dane Kelly. On Saturday night, playing with less than 24 hours rest, Charleston slumped to a 2-0 defeat against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The back-to-back games were the Battery’s last of the season; Charleston has played four back-to-back series so far this year.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Battery and the expansion Blues. Los Angeles (5-3-3, 18 points) is currently third in the National Division and suffered a 2-1 home loss to the Harrisburg City Islanders in its last league match played last Sunday afternoon. The Blues also played midweek in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup losing 2-1 to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.
Los Angeles is led by head coach Charlie Naimo whose roster includes former Charleston Battery defender Nelson Akwari. The side also has a number of players with MLS experience, with Mike Randolph and Josh Tudela having played for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chukwudi Chujindu a former member of Chivas USA.
Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser should have a full roster to select from on Friday with midfielder JC Mack and defender Graham Dugoni the only players sidelined through injury.
Fireworks with the Battery
Kick off your holiday weekend with fireworks immediately following the match at approximately 9:15 p.m. Friday night’s game is presented by MUSC and the first 1,000 fans through the turnstiles will receive a free pedometer.
Fans can enjoy $2 drafts until kick off in the Charleston Battery Beer Garden plus one lucky fan will have a chance to win $10,000 at half time in the Heritage Trust Kick for Cash. Children will enjoy the Charleston County Parks Fun Zone featuring Human Foosball plus Jump Castles.