USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery hosts Puerto Rico Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium

July 11, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The USL First Division-leading Charleston Battery returns to league action this Saturday night, July 12, when it hosts the Puerto Rico Islanders at Blackbaud Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM, though gates open early at 3 PM for the second annual "Clash of the Carolinas" event.

Fans are also reminded that the first 500 kids to enter Blackbaud Stadium Saturday will receive a free Charleston Battery T-shirt.

The Battery (8-3-3, 27 points) enters the second half of regular season play perched at the league's summit, and this week progressed to the final four of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after knocking off Major League Soccer's FC Dallas 3-1 Tuesday night.

"What we don't want right now is a let down after riding high," said Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser, who noted there are no serious injuries or unavailable players in the side. "If we keep playing like we have been, I think we're very hard to beat."

This Saturday marks the Battery's first meeting this season with Puerto Rico (6-3-3, 21 points, 3rd place). Last year the sides clashed four times and played to two scoreless ties at Blackbaud Stadium. In Puerto Rico, the Islanders won both games, including a thrilling 4-3 match that saw five first-half goals.

The Islanders picked up their first road win of the season last Sunday with a 1-0 defeat of the Montreal Impact. Forward Josh Hansen, who along with five other players leads the Islanders with two goals, nabbed the winning goal.

"[The Islanders] are a very good team," Anhaeuser said. "They're big and strong, and they play hard."

The Battery, which boasts the league's best goal difference record (plus 9) and is four points clear of second-placed Vancouver, is playing its fourth-straight game at Blackbaud Stadium and remains unbeaten in that homestand.

Last Saturday the Battery defeated current USL champion the Seattle Sounders 1-0, thanks to a devastating 30-yard strike from Lazo Alavanja. Defender Nelson Akwari picked up the assist, and was subsequently named to the USL First Division Team of the Week.

Alavanja also bagged the Battery's first goal in Tuesday's Open Cup win, while Ian Fuller and Randi Patterson also netted. Charleston will play host to fellow USLers Seattle Sounders in the tournament's semifinal on Aug. 12, with the winner meeting either the New England Revolution or DC United, both of the MLS, in the championship game.

Saturday's game also features the second annual "Clash of the Carolinas." The All-Star event, which is the only interstate event of its kind for prep soccer in the United States, features 18 of the top graduated seniors from the border states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The 2008 Girls match will kickoff at 3:00 PM, while the Boys will start at 5:00 PM.

The High School Soccer Coaches Association's of the Tar Heel State and Palmetto State would like to thank its title sponsor, Columbia United FC, for supporting this premier high school event, and also sends a special thanks to the Charleston Battery for the use of the soccer-specific Blackbaud Stadium.

THIS WEEKEND WHAT: Puerto Rico Islanders at Charleston Battery, USL First Division soccer. WHEN: July 12, 2008. 7:30 PM kickoff. Gates open at 3:00 PM. WHERE: Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island. TICKETS: $8 - $15, (843) 971-GOAL / www.charlestonbattery.com.

NEXT WEEKEND WHAT: Portland Timbers at Charleston Battery, USL First Division soccer. WHEN: July 19, 2008. 7:30 PM kickoff. Gates open at 6:30 PM. WHERE: Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island. TICKETS: $8 - $15, (843) 971-GOAL / www.charlestonbattery.com.

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USL First Division Stories from July 11, 2008


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