USL Charleston Battery

Challenge Cup Finale Saturday Night

Published on March 11, 2011 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery takes on Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in the 2011 Carolina Challenge Cup finale; kick off is set for 7:15 PM. The Battery defeated Toronto FC 2-1 in Wednesday's match giving Charleston a chance to win the tournament for the first time.

In the seven years that the Carolina Challenge Cup has been played no non-MLS side has won the tournament. The Battery's best performance was a second-place finish in 2008.

In order to lift the Challenge Cup Charleston will need some help from Toronto FC who play D.C. United in the first match of Saturday's doubleheader (5 PM). D.C. is perfect so far in the competition with two wins out of two; a third win or a tie on Saturday would see United repeat as Champions.

If Toronto FC defeats D.C. United then the Battery's match with Chicago Fire would give both Charleston and Chicago the opportunity to win the tournament.

The Charleston Battery rallied on Wednesday to defeat Toronto after falling behind in the 15th minute via a penalty-kick. Jamaican forward Dane Kelly leveled for Charleston in the 43rd minute and then earned his side a penalty-kick at the start of the second half.

Defender Mike Zaher's penalty attempt was saved by Stefan Frei but Zaher kept his composure and lifted the rebound over Frei and into the goal.

The Battery has played the Chicago Fire twice previously both matches were in Chicago. The Fire defeated Charleston in a 2004 U.S. Open Cup semifinal and last year the Battery knocked Chicago out of the Open cup in a third round encounter.

Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra who has been on trial with the Charleston Battery and played the second half of Wednesday's match is a former Chicago player; Dykstra made 17 appearances for the Fire during the 2009 - 2010 seasons.

Carolina Challenge Cup Tickets

Tickets for the final matches of the Carolina Challenge Cup are on sale now starting at just $15 (includes both games on Saturday). To purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com .

Carolina Challenge Cup 2011 Pts Pld W L T GF GA GD

D.C. United 6 2 2 0 0 3 1 2

Charleston Battery 3 2 1 1 0 3 3 0

Chicago Fire 3 2 1 1 0 1 1 0

Toronto FC 0 2 0 2 0 1 3 -2

Tiebreakers: Points, Goal difference, Goals Scored

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 11, 2011


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