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USL-1 Charleston Battery

Charleston Welcomes Black Cats

July 15, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC - The Charleston Battery welcomes Sunderland AFC of the English Cocoa-Cola Championship to Blackbaud Stadium this Saturday night, July 17 for an international exhibition; kick off is set for 7:30 PM. Nicknamed "the Black Cats", Sunderland is one of the most successful sides in English soccer. This is the first time that the Charleston Battery has hosted an English pro Club.

Founded in 1879, Sunderland has won eight English Championships and two FA Cup Championships. In 2004 Sunderland advanced to the semifinal stage of the FA Cup before losing to Millwall.

Sunderland plays three matches on its pre-season tour of the Carolinas. The first of the three games was played Wednesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina against a team of USL All-Stars. The All-Stars were leading 2-1 before the match was abandoned due to lightning just before the hour-mark. Battery midfielder Josh Smith had a pair of assists in the game.

Following the match versus the Battery on Saturday, the final stop on the club's tour is in Wilmington, North Carolina on Wednesday 21st July.

The July 17 match versus Sunderland is included in the Battery's 2004 season ticket package. Individual tickets are also available priced at $15 - $20. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

US Open Cup Quarter-Final Draw Update

The Charleston Battery will host Major League Soccer's MetroStars in the fourth round of the 2004 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at Blackbaud Stadium next Tuesday, July 20; kick off is set for 7:30 PM. The Battery earned the right to play the MetroStars by defeating the PSL champion Wilmington Hammerheads by a score of two goals to none at Blackbaud on June 30.

The four quarterfinal pairings for the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup have been determined with the Charleston Battery set to face MLS's New England Revolution or the A-League Rochester Raging Rhinos if the Battery defeats MLS's MetroStars on Tuesday.

Open Cup Tickets

Tickets for the Charleston Battery's fourth round US Open Cup match vs Major League Soccer's MetroStars are on sale now priced at $15 - $20. Three Lions Club members receive complimentary tickets to all Battery Open Cup matches. To purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

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