USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery faces Impact in home opener

Published on April 16, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery takes on the current Canadian champion Montreal Impact Saturday night (April 18) at Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island, in the first home game of the 2009 USL First Division season. The Battery fought the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 0-0 tie in the season opener last Saturday night in a game played in Vancouver, BC. Gates open at 6:30 PM with kick off set for 7:30 PM ($10 - $18, 971-GOAL / charlestonbattery.com).

Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock recorded just one save in the match versus the Whitecaps as he kicked off his 10th Charleston Battery season with a road shut-out.

The game featured several debuts for coach Mike Anhaeuser's new squad with Matt Bobo, Frankie Sanfilippo, Kenji Treschuk, Tom Heinemann, Dan Antoniuk and Jamie Watson all featuring for the Battery for the first time; Watson played on-loan from the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL2).

Saturday should see a full-strength Battery squad available for selection with the return of Japanese winger Tsuyoshi Yoshitake and the arrival of midfielder Scott Buete. Yoshitake missed the season opener because of visa issues and Buete arrived in Charleston on Tuesday following the conclusion of the indoor season.

Jamaican defender O'Brian Woodbine looks to be the only missing player for Anhaeuser as he continues his recovery from a foot injury sustained during the early part of pre-season.

The Montreal Impact has traditionally been one of the stronger franchises in the USL First Division. In 2008 the Battery played Montreal three times winning twice at Blackbaud Stadium and losing the lone game contested at Stade Saputo in Montreal.

Montreal enjoyed a banner year in '08 winning the inaugural Nutrilite Championship and advancing to the CONCACAF Champions League as Canada's sole representative. The Nutrilite Championship determines the Canadian champion and features the Impact, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer's Toronto FC.

Montreal advanced out of the groups stages but was knocked out of the CCL by Santos Laguna (Mexico) in the quarterfinals. Montreal's home match versus Santos was played in front of 55,000 people the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

Montreal is led by second year head coach and former Charleston Battery defender John Limniatis who took over midway during the 2008 season. Limniatis played one year with the Battery (1999); he is a former Canadian international (44 caps).

Anticipating the post-season run in the CCL Limniatis strengthened his squad following the end of the USL1 campaign adding veteran striker Eduardo Sebrango (Vancouver Whitecaps), midfielder Stephen deRoux (Minnesota Thunder) and defender Kevin Sakuda (Seattle Sounders).

Montreal last won the USL1 title in 2004 but has featured in the semifinal stage of the post-season in three out of the last four seasons.

The Battery will play Montreal on two additional occasions in 2009 visiting Stade Saputo on May 15 and July 5.

USL News

Former Battery defender Brent Sancho was named player / assistant coach with the Rochester Rhinos. Sancho played for the Battery in 2000 he went on to play in the 2006 World Cup for T & T... Cuban defectors Pedro Faife and Reinier Alcantara who were on trial with the Battery during pre-season have both signed with Miami FC Blues... Carolina defender Mark Schulte has been named the USL First Division player of the week following his goal in last weekends win versus the Thunder.

USL2 powerhouse the Charlotte Eagles have agreed to terms with veteran forward Dustin Swinehart who returns to Charlotte for a 12th season...and finally former Battery midfielder Osvaldo Alonso played 90 minutes for a fourth consecutive game for MLS's Seattle Sounders last Saturday as Seattle lost it's first game of the season versus the Kansas City Wizards; in addition to leading the team in minutes played Alonso has also recorded a team high three assists.

Saturday Giveaways & Fireworks

Everyone who attends the game on Saturday will receive a 100% recycled plastic schedule cup courtesy of Horne Guest Insurance plus all children in attendance will receive an official 2009 Charleston Battery Autograph Book. Fan's can enjoy discounted $2 drafts until kick off in the Charleston Battery Beer Gardens plus immediately following the match there will be a spectacular season opening fireworks display.

Tickets are available starting at just $10, to purchase tickets, for directions to Blackbaud Stadium or for more information please call (843) 971-4635 or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



USL First Division Stories from April 16, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central