1st place CHARLESTON SC - TalkSoccer

Frank Cunha · 27-01-2004, 07:33 PM

Battery to Host Carolina Challenge Cup 27/01/04

The Charleston Battery will host Major League Soccer's DC United & Columbus Crew in addition to the 2003 PSL Champion Wilmington Hammerheads in the inaugural Carolina Challenge Cup.

The Challenge Cup is a four team round-robin tournament culminating in a double-header on Saturday March 27 at Blackbaud Stadium. DC United recently selected Freddy Adu in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. Adu is expected to make the trip to Charleston.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring quality teams to the Lowcountry on an annual basis," Charleston Battery Head Coach, Chris Ramsey said. "It gives our players a chance to receive some valuable match fitness, plus our fans will get to see some of the top players currently playing in the US."

Charleston opens the tournament versus DC United on Saturday, March 20; kick off 7:30 PM. The Battery hosts the Columbus Crew on Wednesday, March 24; kick off 7:30 PM. The concluding double-header at Blackbaud Stadium will feature the Charleston Battery vs. Wilmington Hammerheads (6:00 PM) and Columbus Crew vs. DC United (8:15 PM).

DC United

D.C. United recently appointed former Chicago Fire player, Peter Nowak as its new head coach. A native of Poland, Nowak also played extensively in Europe and captained Poland's National Team for three years.

United acquired soccer's hottest young prospect earlier this month, selecting 14 year-old Freddy Adu with the first overall pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. An electrifying goal-scorer who combines pace with standout ball skills, Adu captured the international spotlight during last fall's FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Finland, where he led the U.S. squad into the quarterfinals of the tournament. He later contributed to the U.S. Under-20 National Team in their run to the final eight of the U-20 World Cup in the UAE.

DC's roster includes a host of current and former National Team players including: Bobby Convey, Ben Olsen, Earnie Stewart, Santino Quaranta and Mike Petke (USA), Dema Kovalenko (Ukraine), Eliseo Quintanilla and Ronald Cerritos (El Salvador), Milton Reyes (Honduras) and Ryan Nelsen (New Zealand). Convey, Brian Carroll, Alecko Eskandarian, David Stokes and Doug Warren will represent the United States in Olympic qualifying this February. United also signed 2003 A-League MVP Thiago Martins after the A-League season wrapped-up last year.

This will be the fourth visit to Blackbaud Stadium for D.C. United. In 1999, Charleston defeated DC 4-3 in a thrilling US Open Cup encounter, with the winning goal coming in OT. The following year, United responded by knocking the Battery out of the same competition, defeating Charleston by a score of four goals to none. Last March, DC defeated the Battery 1-0 in a pre-season exhibition.

Columbus Crew

The Columbus Crew failed to make the playoffs in the 2003 season finishing one point behind DC United in the Eastern Conference. Columbus has made some significant roster moves since then with the recent additions of Simon Elliott (LA Galaxy), Manny Lagos (San Jose Earthquakes) and Robin Fraser (Colorado Rapids).

The Crew used the MLS 2004 SuperDraft to bolster its defense, selecting U20 National Team defender Chad Marshall and 2004 Hermann award winner, Chris Wingert.

In addition to its four new signings the Crew roster includes US National Team players, Frankie Hejduk, Brian Maisonneuve, Brian West, Kyle Martino & Jeff Cunningham, plus Guatemalan international midfielder, Freddy Garcia.

Columbus will be without the services of US National Team striker Brian McBride who recently completed a move to Fulham of the English Premiership.

The Charleston Battery has only faced the Columbus Crew on one previous occasion, losing 3-0 in the 1999 US Open Cup semifinal.

Wilmington Hammerheads

As reigning PSL Champions, the Wilmington Hammerheads will have a chance to measure themselves against the current A-League Champions, the Charleston Battery, in a USL game of champions.

Wilmington, led by head coach Dave Irving, captured the PSL crown last August with a 2-1 OT victory over the Westchester Flames.

The Hammerheads also enjoyed success in the US Open Cup in 2003, advancing to the quarterfinal stage of the competition where they lost 1-0 to DC United. The Hammerheads progressed further in the competition than any other USL team. The Cup run also included a memorable 4-1 thumping of Major League Soccer's Dallas Burn.

Tournament Schedule

Saturday, March 20 DC United @ Charleston Battery
Blackbaud Stadium (7:30 PM)

Saturday, March 20 Columbus Crew @ Wilmington Hammerheads
Legion Stadium (7:30 PM)

Wednesday, March 24 Columbus Crew @ Charleston Battery
Blackbaud Stadium (7:30 PM)

Wednesday, March 24 DC United @ Wilmington Hammerheads
Legion Stadium (7:30 PM)

Saturday, March 27 Hammerheads @ Charleston Battery
Blackbaud Stadium (6:00 PM)

Saturday, March 27 DC United @ Columbus Crew
Blackbaud Stadium (8:15 PM)

Tickets

Tickets for the games played at Blackbaud Stadium are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets for individual games or for the four match series. Tickets for the March 20 & March 24, MLS games are priced at $15 Club / Box and $10 bleacher. March 27 double-header tickets are $20 Club / Box and $15 bleacher.

Series Tickets (includes all four games played at Blackbaud Stadium)
Non-Season Ticket Holder Series Tickets
Club / Box $40 Bleacher $25

Season Ticket Holder Series Tickets
Club / Box $35 Bleacher $20

Group Discount
Groups of 10 or more receive a $2 per ticket discount (available by
phone only - call 971-GOAL).

revolutionfan · 27-01-2004, 08:54 PM

I could see Charleston beating Columbus or D.C. They are a very good team.

Frank Cunha · 27-01-2004, 09:00 PM

they are the A-League champions and they playing at home :danc:

BethlehemFC · 27-01-2004, 10:32 PM

Wilmington is no slouch. They had a nice US Open Cup run. Made it to the QF and pulled some nice attendances along the way.

Frank Cunha · 29-01-2004, 11:57 PM

Battery Signs Nick Downing 29/01/04

The Charleston Battery has agreed to terms with defender Nick Downing for the 2004 Season. Downing spent the 2003 season with the A-League Portland Timbers, on-loan from Major League Soccer's New England Revolution.

"Nick is a player who has had MLS experience but more importantly, played a whole season in the A-League with the Portland Timbers," Charleston Battery Head Coach Chris Ramsey said. "We feel he's a solid addition to the squad."

Nick Downing, 5'9'', 155 lbs., 23 yrs. played 26 games and logged 2,228 minutes for the Timbers in 2003.

Downing began his professional career in 2001 as the first round draft pick of the New England Revolution, where he played two seasons. He was also a member of the Nike Project-40 Select team alongside current Charleston Battery player, Michael Green.

A native of Redmond, WA, Downing was a three-year starter at the University of Maryland and a 1999 Hermann Trophy and Missouri Athletic Club award finalist. Downing scored one goal in 22 appearances for the United States Under-20 National Team, including three caps in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Charleston Battery players under contract for 2004: Chris Bagley, Ted Chronopoulos, Paul Conway, Linval Dixon, Chris Doyle, Justin Evans, Chris Goos, Michael Green, Josh Henderson, Dusty Hudock, Kevin Jackson, Steve Klein and Mark Watson

Frank Cunha · 15-04-2004, 10:00 PM

Battery to host Sunderland

The A-League Charleston Battery will play English First Division side, Sunderland AFC July 17 at Blackbaud Stadium in an international exhibition match; kick off is set for 7:30 PM. This will be the first game the Battery has played against an English Pro Club.

Ricochet · 15-04-2004, 10:54 PM

http://www.turfmonster.com/content/?ContentId=1602

Ricochet · 15-04-2004, 10:54 PM

Sunderland to head over to the US

Sunderland will take a trip to the US to face A-League Charleston on July 17 at Blackbaud Stadium, North Carolina.

The US second division club has a multitude of links to England, with English manager Chris Ramsey at the helm of the wealthy club.

"Having a team of Sunderland's quality preparing for their season will mean that this will be more than an exhibition for them," said Ramsey. "We hope that at that time we have everybody fit so we can gauge ourselves evenly against them."

Sunderland advanced to the semifinal stage of the FA Cup before losing to Millwall, and are currently in third position in Division One.

Sunderland is captained by veteran Irish international, Jason McAteer, and managed by Mick McCarthy, with the Irish link possibly helping this match come about, due to former Charleston player Terry Phelan making his first move to the US with the A-League club.

It is not known if Sunderland's trip to face Charleston is part of a wider tour that is to take in matches against MLS opposition.

Soccerdad · 16-04-2004, 12:07 PM

love to see the european teams come here, what a thrill for some of the a league players, some will never see foreign soil

Ricochet · 16-04-2004, 07:40 PM

Quote:

love to see the european teams come here, what a thrill for some of the a league players, some will never see foreign soil

I couldn't have said it better Soccerdad

Frank Cunha · 16-04-2004, 11:25 PM

I wish teams like Boavista, Beira-Mar, Nacional, Braga, from the Superliga could be invited to play a -League teams

Ricochet · 17-04-2004, 04:09 PM

I hope more and more euro clubs come over and play, IMO it helps grow MLS and selling soccer in the states. Keep them coming over.

Frank Cunha · 16-07-2004, 09:08 PM

Charleston Welcomes Black Cats 15/07/04

The Charleston Battery welcomes Sunderland AFC of the English Cocoa-Cola Championship to Blackbaud Stadium this Saturday night, July 17 for an international exhibition; kick off is set for 7:30 PM. Nicknamed "the Black Cats", Sunderland is one of the most successful sides in English soccer. This is the first time that the Charleston Battery has hosted an English pro Club.

Founded in 1879, Sunderland has won eight English Championships and two FA Cup Championships. In 2004 Sunderland advanced to the semifinal stage of the FA Cup before losing to Millwall.

Sunderland plays three matches on its pre-season tour of the Carolinas. The first of the three games was played Wednesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina against a team of USL All-Stars. The All-Stars were leading 2-1 before the match was abandoned due to lightning just before the hour-mark. Battery midfielder Josh Smith had a pair of assists in the game.

Following the match versus the Battery on Saturday, the final stop on the club's tour is in Wilmington, North Carolina on Wednesday 21st July.

The July 17 match versus Sunderland is included in the Battery's 2004 season ticket package. Individual tickets are also available priced at $15 - $20. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

Frank Cunha · 17-07-2004, 04:31 AM

more about the game

http://www.charlestonbattery.com/matches_previews.asp?cid=205

Frank Cunha · 17-07-2004, 04:32 AM

Saturday, July 17, 2004, 7:30PM EDT
Charleston Welcomes Black Cats

Charleston, SC - The Charleston Battery welcomes Sunderland AFC of the English Championship to Blackbaud Stadium this Saturday night, July 17 for an international exhibition; kick off is set for 7:30 PM. Nicknamed ?the Black Cats?, Sunderland is one of the most successful sides in English soccer. This is the first time that the Charleston Battery has hosted an English pro Club.

Founded in 1879, Sunderland has won eight English Championships and two FA Cup Championships. In 2004 Sunderland advanced to the semifinal stage of the FA Cup before losing to Millwall.

Sunderland plays three matches on its pre-season tour of the Carolinas. The first of the three games was played Wednesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina against a team of USL All-Stars. The All-Stars were leading 2-1 before the match was abandoned due to lightning just before the hour-mark. Battery midfielder Josh Smith had a pair of assists in the game.

Following the match versus the Battery on Saturday, the final stop on the club's tour is in Wilmington, North Carolina on Wednesday 21st July.

The July 17 match versus Sunderland is included in the Battery?s 2004 season ticket package. Individual tickets are also available priced at $15 - $20. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

US Open Cup Quarter-Final Draw Update
The Charleston Battery will host Major League Soccer?s MetroStars in the fourth round of the 2004 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at Blackbaud Stadium next Tuesday, July 20; kick off is set for 7:30 PM. The Battery earned the right to play the MetroStars by defeating the PSL champion Wilmington Hammerheads by a score of two goals to none at Blackbaud on June 30.

The four quarterfinal pairings for the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup have been determined with the Charleston Battery set to face MLS's New England Revolution or the A-League Rochester Raging Rhinos if the Battery defeats MLS's MetroStars on Tuesday.

Open Cup Tickets
Tickets for the Charleston Battery?s fourth round US Open Cup match vs Major League Soccer?s MetroStars are on sale now priced at $15 - $20. Three Lions Club members receive complimentary tickets to all Battery Open Cup matches. To purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

For More Information, Contact:
Andrew Bell - Media Director. (843) 971-GOAL. (843) 670-2408 (cell). (843) 856-6958 (fax).