USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery notes

Published on March 27, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


With their 2-0 win over Toronto, two-time defending CCC champions Houston (+2) assumed its familiar place atop the tournament standings, leading New York (+1), which defeated the Battery on a second half stoppage-time Dema Kovalenko goal, on goal differential. Going into tonight's games versus Houston, Charleston (-1) stands third in the standings ahead of Toronto (-2) on goal differential.

Houston went into last Saturday night's games missing five starters: Ricardo Clark, who is still recovering from a sprained knee and is not expected to play in Charleston, along with Brian Ching, Wade Barrett, Brian Mullen and Dwayne De Rosario, all of whom were away with national teams.

In the U.S. 3-1 win over Ecuador Sunday in Tampa both Ching and Mullen saw time. Ching started and assisted on Landon Donovan's second goal. Mullen came on as a late-game substitute. At press time, all three players are expected remain with the National Team when it plays Guatemala in Dallas tonight, but will rejoin their Houston teammates in Charleston and could play in Saturday's final versus New York.

De Rosario rejoined Houston in Charleston after missing the Dynamo's opening CCC match playing in Canada's 3-0 win over Bermuda. De Rosario, who came on as a substitute in Houston's CONCACAF Champion's Cup win over Puchuca after suffering a pulled hamstring, played 70 minutes for Canada, and will be available for tonight's game versus Charleston.

New York was without the services of three international players last Saturday night. Dutch midfielder Dave van der Berg arrived in time to watch the second half of the game versus Charleston, staying behind to be fingerprinted for his green card. Also not in uniform were Austrian midfielder Marcus Shoop and Dutch goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus, both of whom are nursing minor injuries.

The New York reserve team played Duke University to a 1-1 draw Sunday at Blackbaud Stadium. Former Clemson Tiger Dane Richard, who set up the winning goal against the Battery, scored the Red Bulls reserves' only goal. Van der berg captained the reserve side, playing 90 minutes.

Also missing from the Toronto lineup was U.S. international Conor Casey. It appears the many injuries that have plagued him throughout his career in Germany have followed him to Toronto. His status remains questionable. Toronto's top draft pick Maurice Edu is also injured, and will not be ready when the season begins on April 7.

Toronto and New York both kick off the MLS regular season April 7. Toronto will face Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, and the Red Bulls travel to Columbus to take on the Crew. Houston travels to Mexico City to play in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champion's Cup semifinal leg versus Puchuca April 5. Houston won the first leg of the home-and-away series in Houston 2-0. The Dynamo open the regular season April 8 in Los Angeles versus the Galaxy.

The Battery will continue preseason preparation with a series of exhibition games before the season begins with a home opener versus Minnesota April 20. The Battery will face Wake Forest April 4, Wilmington April 7, and Charlotte April 11, all at Blackbaud, and travel to Wilmington April 14 for its final tune-up.

U.S. and Reading FC midfielder Bobby Convey-a Charleston resident-was in attendance Saturday. He recently suffered a knee injury and returned home to have it repaired.

Two of the last three U.S. Men's National Team coaches are coaching in this year's CCC. Toronto assistant Bob Gansler coached the U.S. in the 1990 World Cup. The Red Bulls Bruce Arena coached the U.S. in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

The Los Angeles Galaxy won the inaugural Puerto Rico USL MLS Challenge this weekend. Also taking part in the two-game tournament were F.C. Dallas and Rochester. L.A. topped Rochester 3-1 and the Islanders 2-1 to claim the title. Dallas lost to Puerto Rico 1-0 and beat Rochester 2-0. The MLS teams did not play each other, nor did the two USL teams face off.

The CCC concludes Saturday when Charleston faces Toronto at 6 p.m. followed immediately by New York and Houston at approximately 8:15.

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USL First Division Stories from March 27, 2007


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