USL Charleston Battery

Battery To Participate In Cooper River Bridge Run

Published on March 23, 2010 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery players will participate in the Cooper River Bridge Run this Saturday, March 27 at 8 AM as part of their continuing preparations for the 2010 USL season. The annual 10-K race is one of the largest in the US with just over 38,000 runners registered. Following the run the players will head to the Buccaneer Restaurant for a post-race breakfast and to watch the morning's English Premier League games.

The Cooper River Bridge Run begins in Mount Pleasant crosses the Cooper River to Charleston and finishes at Marion Square, in 2009 the race was won by 20 yr old Ethiopian Regassa Tiluhan in a time of 28 minutes and 24 seconds. The race has been run annually in Charleston since 1978. Charleston Battery President, Andrew Bell will be providing play-by-play coverage of the race for ESPN Radio 910 the Team.

The post race celebration at the Buccaneer Restaurant will begin at 10 AM, the Buccaneer is located at 5 Faber Street, downtown Charleston; for directions or more information please call 843-805-5065.

Battery adds Zaher and Gruenewald

The Charleston Battery has agreed to terms with defender Mike Zaher and midfielder Jon Gruenewald following strong performances in the recent Carolina Challenge Cup. Zaher played for Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes in the 2009 season; Gruenewald comes to the Battery for his rookie professional season.

A native of Las Vegas, NV, Zaher joins the Battery from the San Jose Earthquakes where he played 10 games in 2009. Zaher was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2008 MLS Superdraft by Canadian Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. However, his rights were traded to D.C. United for an undisclosed pick.

Head Coach Michael Anhaeuser commented "Mike brings us a quality left back who has been with San Jose and DC United the past two seasons. We look forward to him bringing his qualities and leadership to the left side of the field."

Zaher 5-10, 160 lbs., 25 yrs., played college soccer at UCLA, where he majored in political science. He played in 38 games over three seasons, scoring twice in the run-up to the 2006 NCAA soccer championship game in St. Louis, which UCLA lost 2-1 to UC Santa Barbara. Zaher is a former member of the U.S. U-18 National Team.

Midfielder Jon Gruenewald joins the Battery for his rookie pro season after impressing in the recent Carolina Challenge Cup matches. Gruenewald was invited into camp after participating in the USL PDL Showcase held at Blackbaud Stadium in February.

Coach Anhaeuser stated "We were fortunate to find Jon at the USL Combine in February. He showed his abilities at this combine that impressed the coaching staff and others and has carried out these qualities during the Carolina Challenge Cup and in training. We look forward to having Jon help us on both wings this season as he a dangerous attacking player."

A native of Manlius, NY, Gruenewald, 5-10, 155 lbs., 23 yrs., played his college soccer at Rollins College.

Battery plays Montreal Impact Wednesday afternoon in Cary, NC

The Charleston Battery heads to Cary, NC Wednesday for a 4 PM pre-season match versus the Montreal Impact. Battery midfielder Rudolph Mayard is on a season-long loan from Montreal to Charleston; the Impact knocked the Battery out of the USL1 playoffs in 2009.

Charleston Battery Pre-Season Schedule

3/24/2010 Montreal Impact Cary, NC 4:00 PM

3/31/2010 Coastal Carolina Blackbaud Stadium 5:00 PM

4/3/2010 Carolina Railhawks Blackbaud Stadium 5:00 PM

4/7/2010 Clemson University Clemson, SC 5:00 PM

4/10/2010 College of Charleston Patriots Point 11:00 AM

Game times subject to change.

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics

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



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 23, 2010


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