Sports stats

USL-1 Charleston Battery

Sunderland Confirms US Tour

May 26, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC - Sunderland AFC today confirmed that the Club will play three pre-season matches in the USA this summer. All three matches will be played on the east coast in North and South Carolina and will take place in mid July. Sunderland AFC takes on the Charleston Battery Saturday, July 17 at Blackbaud Stadium; kick off is set for 7:30 PM.

SAFC Manager Mick McCarthy said: "It's always nice to get away for pre-season. We spend 10 months of the year training hard at the Academy in Whitburn so a change of scenery is good for everyone. It will be a very different environment in the US in July and the climate will be hot."

"I am really looking forward to the games and visiting the three clubs. It will also hopefully be an important opportunity for us all to get to know new players and build a great spirit again before we start the new season."

The first of the three matches will be played at Raleigh, North Carolina on Wednesday 14th July. The second stop of Sunderland's pre-season tour will bring the team to Charleston on Saturday 17th July. The third and 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.

Watson to face Wales for Canada

Charleston Battery defender Mark Watson has been called up to the Canadian national team for an international friendly versus Wales this Sunday. The game will be played in Wrexham, Wales. The Wales squad includes Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, Newcastle United's Craig Bellamy and Sunderland AFC's John Oster. Watson will miss this Saturday's match versus the Atlanta Silverbacks.

Watson has earned 70 caps and scored 3 goals for Canada. His international career highlights include appearing in five of Canada's eight World Cup qualifying matches in 2000. He also played in nine qualifying matches for the 1994 World Cup and was a member of the Canadian side that won the 2000 Gold Cup.

Watson was named to the current A-League team of the Week following his solid defensive performance over the weekend in Puerto Rico. Watson anchored the Battery defense as Charleston earned its second shut-out of the 2004 campaign

Gabe Valencia Signs

The Charleston Battery has agreed to terms with 26 year old striker Gabe Valencia. Valencia comes to Battery from the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Previous clubs include the Hampton Roads Mariners, FC Sachsen-Leipzig of the German third division, the Nashville Metros, MLS's Metrostars and the Syracuse Salty Dogs. Valencia came on as a substitute in the Battery's 0-0 tie with Puerto Rico last Friday night.

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics



USL First Division Stories from May 26, 2004


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.

Other Recent Charleston Battery Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central