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Charleston Battery

Carolina Challenge Cup 2015: It's NYCFC, Orlando City and Houston

November 5, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - The 12th annual Carolina Challenge Cup will welcome 2015 Major League Soccer expansion clubs New York City F.C. and Orlando City SC to Blackbaud Stadium in February for the event's first edition in partnership with MLS.

The two-time MLS Cup Champions Houston Dynamo will make their third consecutive CCC appearance, and their sixth as a franchise.

With six matches to be scheduled with the three MLS teams and host club Charleston Battery of USL PRO between Saturday, Feb. 21, and Saturday, Feb. 28, the 2015 field will showcase three of the biggest stars in world soccer:

Kaká (Orlando City), the Brazilian international phenom who earned Serie A and UEFA Champions League titles with Italian powerhouse AC Milan en route to winning the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or awards. Was part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup Championship team.

Frank Lampard (NYCFC), England's international captain and the all-time scoring leader at Chelsea F.C., with 211 goals in all competitions over 13 seasons. Lampard is the only midfielder in English Premier League history to score more than 150 goals, and trails only Ryan Giggs in the EPL's all-time assists statistic. Currently on loan to NYCFC's parent club, England's Manchester City F.C.

David Villa (NYCFC), Spain's all-time leading international goalscorer and a La Liga and UEFA League champion in a club career that included stops at Real Zaragoza, Valencia, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. He is Spain's all-time leading World Cup goal scorer, and his three goals in South Africa led Spain to the 2010 World Cup title.

"This is a fresh and very exciting field this year, with probably the biggest names from world soccer that we've ever brought to Charleston," said Mike Anhaeuser, Battery general manager and head coach. "Kaká, Lampard, David Villa. Those are world-class players. And that's not to mention the (U.S.) national team players from the World Cup: (DaMarcus) Beasley, (Brad) Davis, maybe some more by the time the tournament starts. It's very exciting for the Battery as a club, and for the community."

The 2015 tournament will also mark a new level of cooperation between the Charleston Battery and MLS, which has previously been involved in pre-season tournaments in Arizona and other locations. Carolina Challenge Cup pioneered the format of a lower-division club hosting multiple MLS teams when it debuted in 2004.

Battery President Andrew Bell welcomed the league's involvement. "I think it clearly raises the profile of the Carolina Challenge Cup. We've been doing this for 11 years now and have been part of the growth of the sport of soccer in the US. Major League Soccer is an incredibly successful league and brand, and to be a part of it even in a small way is fantastic."

This tournament will bear the distinction of hosting the first-ever meeting between the two 2015 MLS expansion teams. Orlando City and NYCFC enter the league from radically different trajectories, but will likely track their success relative to each other for years to come.

"The (CCC) will give us the opportunity to test our mettle as we put the final touches on our squad ahead of our MLS debut," said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. "The competition should be outstanding as we'll face a number of established MLS teams, our fellow league newcomers NYCFC and former USL PRO rivals Charleston Battery. We're looking forward to the tournament as a nice cap to our preseason and hope to see many of our fans there to support us."

NYCFC Head Coach Jason Kreis won the CCC as the coach of Real Salt Lake in 2009, and testified to the competitiveness of the event within the organization. Former U.S. National Team Captain Claudio Reyna - now NYCFC's Sporting Director -- believes that the competition will provide the perfect test at an ideal time.

"The opportunity to play in the Carolina Challenge Cup was one that we didn't want to pass up," Reyna said. "It's a fantastic tournament and Charleston is a great city for us to spend time in during preseason."

While Orlando and New York are new to the tournament, Houston has become one of its all-time stalwarts.

"It is an honor to be involved in the Carolina Challenge Cup once again," said Nick Kowba, Dynamo director of soccer operations. "It has become an important tradition for our club. We enjoy the hospitality and believe it to be an important part of our preseason preparation."

The 2015 tournament also marks a significant local milestone with a directed marketing campaign aimed at attracting fans of Major League Soccer from outside the metro Charleston area. In partnership with Major League Soccer, the 2015 Carolina Challenge Cup is presented in part by the Charleston Visitors Bureau, the City of Charleston, the City of North Charleston and the Town of Mount Pleasant, with other event partners to follow.

"It helps on so many levels, but particularly as the tournament grows in stature it's unlikely that we as an individual club could continue to do it without municipal support," Bell said. "It's also an indication that local leaders are aware of the economic value of soccer in this market. Charleston is a wonderful destination with a strong soccer heritage and we are looking forward to showcasing that to soccer fans around the U.S. and beyond."

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