Rivalry Reverse, Richmond 4-1 Charleston

Ouch.  Last Saturday the Kickers ran wild, handing the Battery their worst finish against their rivals in 17 years.  Thats almost as long as the rivalry has existed.  But after a  long preseason characterized by confidence and goalscoring, maybe a black eye on opening day is just what the Battery needed to set their sights on defending their USL PRO title.

Here's how it happened.  Despite controlling possession in the opening stages, the Kickers punished some careless defensive positioning and struck an early lead, heading the ball past Odisnel Cooper in the 23rd minute.  In the 32rd, it was two-nil after Brian Owenby's incisive run triggered the go-ahead goal from Casey Townsend.  Flipping the switch immediately, the Battery surged and seemed to have earned a penalty in the 39th minute as Jose Cuevas was dropped in the box.  However the call was not given and even a few Richmond fans graciously admitted that a PK had probably been warranted.  Not to be denied, Charleston would find the scoresheet in the final minute of the first half.  The ageless John Wilson stole a march on defenders and deftly playing a one-two pass with Azira, lodged a furious shot firmly into the net.  Interestingly enough, Wilson scored against former Battery teammate Andrew Dykstra who is on loan to the Kickers from DC United.

At the restart, Charleston were looking more like themselves, controlling the ball and creating chances.  Ten minutes on, Paterson managed a lightning strike shot from a distance of about twenty yards, but the ball struck the post and the would-be equalizer soared to safety.  Midway through the half, Charleston's comeback hopes were dealt a blow when Townsend scored again from close range.  The Battery were frustrated in the final minutes as things went from bad to worse when Cody Ellison inadvertently turned a ball into the Charleston net.  The own goal unofficially signaled the end of the contest as the Kickers completed a dream home opener.

Now its our turn.

While there's a lot to be said about last week's result, perhaps the most helpful is "At least that's out of the way!"  There's not much sense in dwelling on the loss on reading into things.  Its simply time to do better.  Blackbaud looks primed for a sellout for the Battery's home opener against Antigua Saturday.  Although the Barracudas finished at the bottom of the table last season, the Caribbeans can prove to be a prickly pear, having managedseveral upsets throughout the summer.  That being said, it'll be a fantastic day to cheer on the Battery.  With free t-shirts and fireworks, who could resist??  And if you can't make the match but are watching the live stream, keep your eyes on E-10...the Regiment has something special planned for ya!

But I'll see you at the 'Baud!!



(photo credit: USL PRO facebook page)

Carolina Challenge Cup & An Offseason Update

Its time again to break the offseason silence and with the dawn of the New Year unveil the fresh hopes and aspirations of 2013.  The past year was certainly a prosperous one for the Charleston Battery.  Despite the cancelation of an exhibition with Nottingham Forrest, the Black & Gold provided an entertaining season of football with riveting league play, hosting the New York Red Bulls in the Open Cup, and perhaps the club's most memorable playoff run to date.  Advancing to the Championship match by besting the Rochester Rhinos in penalties, Charleston would go on to win their forth league title, defeating local rivals the Wilmington Hammerheads at Blackbaud Stadium to lift the USL PRO trophy.

Looking forward, this year's Carolina Challenge Cup will showcase more Major League Soccer talent than ever before! The Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, and Vancouver Whitecaps all participated in the MLS Playoffs and the Dynamo finished runner-up to the LA Galaxy.  Estonian international Joel Lindpere was recently acquired by Chicago from the Red Bulls and should be present at the CCC.  Also worth noting, the American legend Jay Demerit, captain of the Whitecaps and USMNT regular, will make his Blackbaud debut when the 'Caps do battle with the Battery in the first round of the tournament.

Concerning league news, the USL PRO has added two new teams for 2013 season and announced a Sacramento expansion side slated for the following year.  VSI Tampa Bay FC and Phoenix FC will liven up the league and provide some fresh challenges for the Pride of the Lowcountry this year.  Sadly, Kyle Hoffer, a defensive lynchpin in Charleston's 2012 Championship squad was the first signing for VSI and Phoenix FC have poached defender Devin Grousis from the Charlotte Eagles.

The Battery Coaching staff completed their yearly scouting visit to Jamaica in mid-December and could likely pepper Charleston's provisional squad with more Caribbean flavor.  The final set of open trials will be held this weekend as players from across the state and across the country will vie for a contract or provisional roster spot with the Battery.  As in years past, this has proved to be a great opportunity to enlist local talent from the Palmetto State as well as prospects from further afield.

Speaking of local talent, there's even more good news for fans of the Beautiful Game in the Midlands.   South Carolina's PDL side, the SC United Bantams (formerly Palmetto FC), have teamed up with the SC United youth soccer program for the 2013 season.  This means the Bantams will split playing home fixtures between Lander University and USC.  The collaboration will now provide a natural avenue for athletes to progress from youth soccer to the college level, and then on to amateur development and professional football.  And who knows?  With a rich crop of collegiate footballers, we may see a few Bantams move up to join the Battery before long!

So here's to the Battery's USL PRO title defense and an incredible year of football in 2013!!

It's Championship Time!!

We find ourselves on the eve of what promises to be a phenomenal and truly special Championship match as the Wilmington Hammerheads come to town to face our Charleston Battery and vie for the 2012 USL PRO title!!

Stick it to 'em boys!!

Part local rivalry, part cinderella story, throw in a slight chance of thunderstorms and this could be one for the ages!!

If you don't have your tickets yet, get 'em now, they're going fast.  I'm fairly certain this will be a sellout match, besides we want those ticketholders to be BATTERY fans, not those punks up the road.


Can't make it out to Blackbaud for the match?  No worries, UNATION has you covered with a free live stream of the game.  There will also be a special preview program live from the Three Lions Pub, Friday at 1:00pm. 

Watch Chucktown's Chiva take 'em on three at a time!

Still can't make it happen?  Well, support your team however you can.  Wear your black & yellow, fly your Battery flag from your car, and keep that scarf handy!  (Plus you can always watch the replay :)

Let's cheer on the boys as they battle for the title and try to put another star on the shirt!!  Its time to TANK the Hammerheads!

LET'S GO BATTERY!!!!!

(photo credit: UNATION, Charleston Battery FB page)