USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery takes on Silverbacks in Home Opener

Published on April 22, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery takes on long-time rival the Atlanta Silverbacks Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in its first game of the 2005 USL First Division season; kick off is set for 7:30 PM. The newly restructured USL First Division features 12 teams across North America in a single division format. Each team plays each other home and away. Atlanta opened its season last weekend with a pair of road matches losing 3-1 in Richmond then winning 2-0 in Virginia Beach.

Saturday night's match marks the debut of new Charleston Battery Head Coach, Mike Anhaeuser. Anhaeuser joined the Charleston Battery as a player in 1994 after graduating from Indiana University where he won a NCAA Championship in 1988 and earned Big Ten and Team MVP honors.

Anhaeuser played seven seasons as a midfielder for the Battery and still ranks 4th all-time in games played (115) and 2nd all-time in assists (17). As a player, Anhaeuser was a member of the Charleston Battery side that won the 1996, USISL Pro League National Championship and was an assistant-coach when the Battery won the 2003 A-League National Championship.

The back-line features veteran defender, Alan Woods who returns to the Battery after a four year hiatus that saw him play for the New England Revolution (2001) and the Atlanta Silverbacks (2002, 2003 &2004). Woods will be joined by Tim Karalexis who comes to Charleston from USL Second Division side, the Wilmington Hammerheads.

The midfield will include returning players Kevin Jackson, Chris Goos and Josh Smith as well as new signing, Nigerian Ugo Okoye.

Leading the forward line this year will be veteran striker Greg Simmonds who also returns for his second season with Charleston. Paraguay forward Jesus Martinez is another player back for a second year.

The Battery found several players locally adding rookie prospects Troy Lesesne, Ben Hollingsworth and Drew Cavanagh who were all part of the College of Charleston's successful 2004 Men's soccer program. Hollingsworth is a Mount Pleasant native.

During pre-season the Charleston Battery scored at a prolific rate tallying 29 goals in 9 games played.

Battery signs Thabiso Khumalo

The Charleston Battery has agreed to terms with forward, Thabiso Khumalo who joins the Battery for his rookie pro-season. Khumalo, 5-9, 24 yrs., 160lbs., left his home in South Africa at the age of 14 to follow his dream of playing soccer as a career.

Nicknamed "Boyzzz" Khumalo accepted the offer to play at Coastal Carolina and transfer from Lindsey Wilson without ever having visited the school, campus or the state of South Carolina. In his senior year at CCU Khumalo started 21 of team's 23 games; he led the team and was second in the nation with 16 assists (8 goals).

A native of Soweto, South Africa, Khumalo majored in Physical Education.

Schedule Cup Giveaway / Game tickets

Its Schedule Cup giveaway night on Saturday brought to you by Horne Guest Insurance and The Drive. Everyone in attendance will receive a free commemorative Charleston Battery Schedule Cup. Tickets for the home opener are priced at $8 - $15 and can be purchased by calling (843) 971-GOAL or online at www.charlestonbattery.com.

Season Tickets

2005 season ticket packages are on sale now with prices starting at only $120. Memberships to the Three Lions Club and Battery Club which both include a catered buffet by Executive Chef Pete Thomason are still available. In addition, this season the Charleston Battery is offering a new Flex Pack season ticket package. To purchase season tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics

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USL First Division Stories from April 22, 2005


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