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Charleston Battery

MLS Sides Tune up for Challenge Cup

February 25, 2011 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. With just over a week before the Carolina Challenge Cup kicks off at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston SC, all three of the MLS sides entered in the tournament were involved in pre-season action this week. Toronto FC fell to a 3-2 defeat against Houston Dynamo in Florida on Thursday night. D.C. United defeated UCSB and the Chicago Fire won and tied in games versus the New York Red Bulls.

Tickets for the 2011 Carolina Challenge Cup featuring Major League Soccer are on sale now with prices frozen at 2010 levels. The USL Champion Charleston Battery will be joined by Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire, D.C. United & Toronto FC for the week-long tournament, March 5 â€" 12, 2011. To purchase tickets visit www.charlestonbattery.com or call (843) 971-GOAL (4625)

Toronto edged by Dynamo

Toronto FC fell to a 3-2 defeat against Houston Dynamo in Florida on Thursday night in Florida. The Reds twice led the game in the first half but the Dynamo fought back and won the game thanks to Cam Weaver's goal in the 69th minute.

Playing their first game against MLS opposition this pre-season, new Toronto Head Coach Aron Winter included a number of trialists in his 4-3-3 formation. Winter handed starts to Ivo de Heus, Mikael Yourassowsky and Jamal Gay who all joined the team in Florida earlier this week. Jacob Peterson and Toronto captain Dwayne DeRosario scored the goals for Toronto in the loss.

D.C. United defeats UCSB

It took nearly the full 90 minutes, but D.C. United finally broke down the University of California Santa Barbara's defense on Tuesday evening in the 81st minute. Only moments after coming on as a substitute, 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft selection Blake Brettschneider bagged this third goal in two matches after volleying home a Brandon Barklage cross. The club is now 5-0 in exhibition matches in 2011.

The Black-and-Red concludes their stay in California today with a training match against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center. The players fly home to Washington on Saturday, February 26 before departing to Charleston for the Carolina Challenge Cup.

Fire wins and ties versus New York Red Bulls

The Chicago Fire enjoyed a productive day in its first action of the preseason against an MLS opponent as they won and tied against the New York Red Bulls in a doubleheader at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Marco Pappa tallied his second goal of the preseason to erase Red Bull midfielder Joel Lindpere's first half strike as Carlos de los Cobos' first choice side drew 1-1 with its Eastern Conference foe. Trialing striker Orr Barouch impressed in the morning fixture, scoring four goals in 90 minutes up top for the Fire in a 4-2 victory to kickoff the day.

Fire add Uruguayan striker Diego Cháves

Newly signed Uruguayan striker Diego Cháves will be a starter for the Chicago Fire this season, according to technical director Frank Klopas.

"He's someone that's definitely going to be a starting player," Klopas told MLSsoccer.com. "We lost a couple forwards [this offseason] and he's one of the main players that is going to replace those pieces."

Cháves, 25, comes to the Fire following a short stint with Uruguayan power Nacional. The speedy forward previously played for Uruguay's Montevideo Wanderers and Mexican clubs Querétaro and Veracruz. He also briefly played with new Fire signing â€" and fellow Uruguayan â€" Gastón Puerari while at Montevideo

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from February 25, 2011


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