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USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery takes on league-leading Portland Timbers Friday night

August 26, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery squares off against the USL1-leading Portland Timbers Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium; gates open at 6:30 PM with kick off set for 8:00 PM. The Battery (12-3-9, 45 points) enters the week in a tie for second place in the standings, six points behind the Timbers. Portland (14-0-9, 51 points) lost its first game of the season but since then has been unbeaten stringing together a remarkable 23 game loss-defying streak.

Charleston came very close to snapping the Timbers unbeaten streak back on June 13 at Blackbaud Stadium after Randi Patterson scored a go-ahead goal for the Battery in the 64th minute. Portland fought back however and equalized with three minutes remaining in the match via substitute forward Mandjou Keita.

Portland's record-breaking season has made them the first USL1 side to qualify for post-season play, a full month before the regular season concludes. The Timbers qualified for the playoffs after dispatching the Miami FC Blues 3-1 last Friday night at PGE Field in a game that also saw forward Ryan Pore score in his sixth consecutive match.

Charleston's last game was a 1-1 tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps in a game played at Blackbaud Stadium last Thursday night. Vancouver scored first but the Battery equalized just after half-time as Ian Fuller headed home his second goal of the season.

Charleston Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser will have two additional players available for selection Friday. Midfielder Chris Williams returns from a two game suspension and defender Patrick Tate rejoins the squad after a loan spell with the USL2 Wilmington Hammerheads.

A win on Friday would book Charleston a berth in the 2009 post-season and would also move the Battery within three points of the Timbers at the top of the tables. The top seven teams advance to the playoffs and the top seeded side receives a bye into the semifinal round.

Battery striker Dan Antoniuk is the only former Portland Timbers player on the Battery roster; Antoniuk played his first three seasons with Portland (2003 - 2005).

Portland is led by third-year head coach Gavin Wilkinson, a former Timbers player. A native of New Zealand, Wilkinson added former Minnesota Thunder head coach Amos Magee to his coaching staff during the off-season after Magee's departure from the Thunder late in the 2008 season.

Portland was recently awarded an MLS franchise and will make the jump from USL1 to MLS for the 2011 season.

Ian Fuller named to USL1 Team of the Week Veteran midfielder Ian Fuller has been named to the USL1 team of the Week following his tying goal scored last Thursday versus Vancouver. The goal was Fullers 2nd on the year and 9th all time in his 79th appearance for the Battery, Prior to turning pro Fuller was a four-year starter at Clemson University.

Mini-ball giveaway / FOX Soccer Channel / Match Tickets Its soccer ball giveaway night on Friday and the first 500 children through the turnstiles will receive a free min-ball courtesy of Piggly Wiggly. There are 500 $5 tickets available courtesy of Five Guys Burgers and Fries and immediately following the match there will be a spectacular fireworks display by the Zambelli Fireworks Company. Friday's game is the USL First Division game of the week and will be broadcast nationally on FOX Soccer Channel.

To purchase tickets, for directions or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

USL2 Championship Game

The Charlotte Eagles and Richmond Kickers each advanced to the USL-2 Championship with Semifinal victories last Saturday night. With six minutes remaining Gustavo Bentos struck the lone goal as the Charlotte Eagles won on the road 1-0 against the regular season champion Wilmington Hammerheads.

The other semifinal appeared to be headed to a penalty kick tiebreaker when striker Matthew Delicate found the back of the net moments before the final whistle in overtime, giving the Richmond Kickers the 1-0 win at home over the Harrisburg City Islanders.

Richmond will host Charlotte in the USL-2 Championship next Saturday at 8:00 pm ET. The game can be seen on FOX Soccer Channel at 11:00 pm ET.

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics



USL First Division Stories from August 26, 2009


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