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Charleston Battery

Battery to Host Fort Lauderdale in May 21 U.S. Open Cup Match

May 21, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston Battery Supporters
Charleston Battery Supporters
(Charleston Battery)

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Charleston Battery will host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Blackbaud Stadium on Wednesday, May 27.

The Battery advanced via a 1-0 win Wednesday against Miami United F.C., an NPSL team making its first appearance against Charleston. The Strikers enter the tournament alongside eight other NASL squads from the United States in the Third Round, one round before the 17 American teams from Major League Soccer join the bracket.

'We're very pleased to advance to the third round and we're looking forward to playing the Fort Lauderdale Strikers," said Andrew Bell, Battery club president. "The Open Cup is U.S. Soccer's national championship, and we take our participation in the tournament very seriously. These Cup games always seem to produce an extra level of excitement, We saw that last night in the game with Miami United, and I would expect another entertaining match next Wednesday versus the Strikers."

Gates for the May 27 match open at 6 p.m., with kickoff set for 7:30.

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at charlestonbattery.com and 843.971.GOAL (4625). Seats start at $10 and follow regular 2015 Battery pricing. Three Lions Club members will receive free tickets as part of their season ticket package, and standard season ticket holders can purchase their seats at a discounted $10. East Stand seats will not be available outside the E1 Supporters Section during this Cup round. Parking is $5.

Battery staff are making plans to webcast the match live on YouTube via the club's 2015 video production partner, Tourbeau Sports Group.

The modern incarnation of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers began play as Miami FC in 2006, moved to Fort Lauderdale for the 2011 season, and revived the name of the historic Fort Lauderdale Strikers that season. The original Strikers competed in the old NASL from 1977-83, and were the last branding of a franchise that originated in Washington, D.C., in 1967. They're one of three Florida-based clubs in NASL.

Charleston Battery were founded in 1993. The club has won four league championship, and is one of only two lower-division teams from the MLS Era to earn its way to the U.S. Open Cup Championship. Charleston lost 2-1 to D.C. United at RFK Stadium in 2008. The team plays its matches in historic Blackbaud Stadium, which -- along with Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio -- became the oldest privately funded soccer-specific stadium in the United States when it opened in 1999.

The Strikers are 2-1-3 to start the NASL Spring Season. Charleston (5-1-3) is second in the USL Eastern Conference, and has the second-best record in the 24-team league.

The draw for the Cup's Fourth Round will be announced tonight at 7 p.m.

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