Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Friday, July 8, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery takes on USL PRO leader Orlando City this Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium; gates open at 6 p.m. with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. The Battery will be looking to reverse a 1-0 loss to Orlando in a second round U.S. Open Cup match played at Blackbaud on June 21.
It’s the Battery’s final Family Night of the year on Saturday presented by Queen Anne’s Revenge restaurant and families can purchase Battery Family Packs that include four tickets, four hot-dogs and four sodas for only $30.
The Battery (7-6-4, 24 points) enter the game in third position in the American Division on the back of a 0-0 tie against the Los Angeles Blues in a game played last Saturday night in Charleston.
Orlando City (11-2-5, 38 points) is 11 points clear of the second-placed Richmond Kickers in the American Division and picked up four points last weekend with a 0-0 road tie in Pittsburgh and a 1-0 win in Rochester.
Charleston Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser should have almost a full squad to select from on Saturday. Defender Graham Dugoni returned to light training this week with midfielder JC Mack the only player unavailable through injury.
This is the first of three league matches between the clubs this season. The Battery heads to Orlando for a two-match series on August 3 and 6.
Orlando goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo was named the USL PRO Player of the Week after he recorded a pair of shutouts that included an eight-save performance that keyed the Lions’ 1-0 victory against the Rochester Rhinos on Sunday night.
Gallardo also recorded a shutout as Orlando drew 0-0 with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Friday night, but was outstanding against the Rhinos. After fellow Team of the Week member Jamie Watson gave the Lions the lead, Gallardo made crucial saves on Kendall Jagdeosingh and Tony Donatelli in the clash between the two division leaders in USL PRO.
Orlando’s offense is led by forward Max Griffin, who has scored a league-leading nine goals so far this season. Before turning pro Griffin was a UCLA teammate of Charleston defender Mike Zaher
Clash of the Carolina’s – High School Senior All-Star games
The Charleston Battery hosts the annual Clash of the Carolina’s games on Saturday prior to the Battery match as South Carolina’s High School senior all-stars take on their North Carolina counterparts. The girl’s game kicks off at 1 p.m. and the boys match is at 3:30 p.m. Admission is included in the price of the Charleston Battery match.
For more information, directions to Blackbaud Stadium or to purchase tickets please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.