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USL Charleston Battery

Battery's Second-Place Finish Matches Best Ever Challenge Cup Performance

March 14, 2011 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. Major League Soccer's D.C. United repeated as tournament champs but the USL PRO Charleston Battery enjoyed success at the 2011 Carolina Challenge Cup earning a second-place finish that matches Charleston's previous best performance. After dropping a 2-1 decision to D.C. on the opening night the Battery fought back with a win against MLS's Toronto FC on Wednesday and a hard-won draw against MLS's Chicago Fire on Saturday, a notable result after having two players sent off in the first half.

In the eight years that Carolina Challenge Cup has been held, no non-MLS side has won the tournament; the Battery also managed a second-place finish in 2008. The Battery scored three goals in the tournament; midfielder Stephen Armstrong, newcomer Dane Kelly and defender Mike Zaher were all on-target for Charleston.

Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser commented "The team performed very well with only one week to prepare but we still have to make sure we build from these games and focus on the little things and our fitness for the long regular season. We also will be finalizing our roster in the next week or two but this is always a great start for our team."

Heading into the final match day on Saturday the Battery still had a chance to win the Challenge Cup outright but needed Toronto FC to defeat D.C. United. Toronto led 2-1 against DC until midway through the second half but a Joseph Ngwenya goal secured United the point they needed to win the Cup.

D.C. United's Carolina Challenge Cup victory bodes well for their upcoming MLS campaign. In five of the first seven years that the tournament has been held the MLS side that has won the tournament has gone on to win either MLS Cup or the MLS Supporters Shield.

D.C. United gets their season underway next Saturday night with a home match versus the Columbus Crew.

USL Pro Home Opener - Saturday, April 9 vs. Charlotte Eagles

The Charleston Battery continues their preparations with a series of scrimmages leading up to the first match of the USL Pro season on Saturday, April 9 versus the Charlotte Eagles (Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island, 7:30 PM). Season tickets are on sale now with a limited number of the exclusive Three Lions Club memberships still available. To purchase season tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com .

Charleston Battery preseason schedule

Charleston Battery vs Clemson University

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Blackbaud Stadium, 5 PM

Charleston Battery vs Carolina RailHawks

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Wake Med Stadium, Cary, NC, 4 PM

Charleston Battery vs College of Charleston

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Patriots Point Stadium, KO TBD

Charleston Battery vs Atlanta Silverbacks

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Blackbaud Stadium, KO TBD

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 14, 2011


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