USL Feature
Monday, March 14, 2011
Charleston Battery
Head Coach: Mike Anhaeuser
2010 Season: Champions, USL-2
The Lowdown: The Battery are the defending USL-2 champions and certainly should be favored to reach the playoffs again this season. But there are holes in the line-up that need to be filled, especially in the attacking third of the field, and that will likely prove the biggest challenge for Mike Anhaeuser’s squad in their bid to win back-to-back championships.
Key losses: As was previously referenced both USL-2 MVP Lamar Neagle and fellow striker Tom Heinemann have departed to play in Major League Soccer, Neagle with the Seattle Sounders and Heinemann with the Columbus Crew. The duo combined for 19 goals a season ago, leaving a void that will need to be filled quickly.
Key returnees: While the Battery will need to replace some key figures, they do have 2010 All-League selection Alioune Gueye returning to their midfield, while defender John Wilson’s decision to put off retirement for another season will add to a strong backline that also includes Colin Falvey and Nigel Marples.
Key additions: An attention-grabber at the Carolina Challenge, 20-year-old Jamaican Dane Kelly is young but could have what it takes to help remove the sting of the loss of Neagle and Heinemann. The Battery also made an interesting addition to their midfield with New Zealand international Cole Peverley. Peverley was called into the All Whites' squad this month for exhibition games against China and Japan, and at just 22 years old could become a mainstay for his country in the future after just missing out on the World Cup squad last year.
The Coach’s Opinion: “We’re seeing a lot of good habits from the players we have back and the players that we’re going to be getting on board. We have about six to eight trialists in camps, and even the guys we’re not going to be able to keep showed a lot of promise also, which means we were able to get in some good players to fill those holes.” –Anhaeuser
If it all goes to plan: Getting back to the championship game is always the goal for a defending champion, but it could be a tough task for the Battery this season. While they have lost a number of key players, others have added, especially in the American Division. Another playoff appearance should be on the cards, but how far can the Battery go once there?