We're Almost There!!

As the preseason draws to a close, the Charleston Battery have been busy doing what they do best: winning.  Sometimes the preseason can be a false indicator of how your team performs when the games begin to count, but if the Battery performs even half as well as they have in the past month, we've got nothing to worry about.  With many returning veterans and new recruits quickly gelling in the squad, this Charleston outfit might just be the best we've ever seen! (Lamar Hunt Cup, anyone?)

 Since the USL PRO season officially kicked off a few weekends ago, its a good thing the Battery performing like they're in mid-season stride.
Here are the latest results:

Carolina Railhawks 1-2 Charleston Battery

The Battery were on the board in less than twenty minutes, owing largely to the pace and precision of Jose Cuevas and Jarad van Schaik.  The two combined, sliding down the right half and allowed Quinton Griffith the ball and space to work with.  The thunder-footed Antiguan wasted no time rifling home the opening goal from a difficult angle at 18 minutes.  On the half hour, Micheal Azira scored an opportunist's goal, seizing on an errant clearance and burying a volley from twenty yards out.  Reclaiming one goal at 70 minutes, the Railhawks pressured the visitors for the equalizer, but the Battery stood their ground and saw off their NASL foes at WakeMed Park.

College of Charleston 0-0 Charleston Battery

The Cougars gave our boys a good run for their money in a scrimmage at Patriots Point.  If the woodwork could be awarded man-of-the-match, that would have been the case, as the Battery were denied by the post at least twice, if not more.  The Battery set the tempo, finding several opportunities in the first half as Cuevas, van Schaik, and Kelly took turns barraging C of C.  However, the finishing was lacking as each shot skipped wide or was literally "on frame."  The defensive Cougars were emboldened after the break sought the scalp of their professional neighbors.  Late in the match, Colin Falvey stole a march on defenders, surging down the pitch, but his would-be assist was fired wide by Zach Prince.  However, Falvey was soon called on about 10 minutes from time, and his stretching goal-line clearance proved to be the decisive play in the game.  

Charleston Battery 2-0 Wilmington Hammerheads

Charleston bested Wilmington in a classic rematch of the 2012 USL title game.  Griffith and Kelly nearly found the mark in the first half, but fans were forced to wait until the 69th minute for the breakthrough.  Having just arrived from the Vancouver Whitecaps, Ben Fisk latched onto a through ball from Jose Cuevas and neatly finished to score the game's first goal.  Returning the favor, "Ben 10" served Cuevas five minutes later and Charleston's "Chiva" ripped home a low shot into the right corner of the net.

Coastal Carolina 0-2 Charleston Battery

Visiting the Chanticleers' stomping grounds in Myrtle Beach, the Battery repeated their result from the weekend, trumping this resilient university side two-nil.  Perhaps the best news from this game was Nicki Patterson's return to action.  Linking with Cuevas on a set piece, the Scotsman's precision was the decisive factor Charleston's first goal.  Sounding a bit a like a broken record, Jose Cuevas led the team and scored midway through the second half.  Taylor Mueller put the result beyond doubt moments later, scoring from a fine overlapping run down the left flank.

Charleston Battery 1-0 Carolina Railhawks

Rounding out an unusually busy preseason, the Battery recorded a dominant performance, grounding the Railhawks for a second time in as many weeks.  Patterson and Cuevas combined for the goal, coming early in the first half.  Quniton Griffith also logged an impressive individual effort, keeping the Railhawks on the back foot for the better part of the match.   

HERE WE GO!!!

Of course, "all's well that ends well,"  but this is only the beginning.  Charleston have finished their preseason matches unbeaten in the last ten outings.  The boys netted an incredible 26 goals in only 12 games.  Eight of those are accredited to the 2012 USL Rookie of the Year Jose Cuevas, and as exciting as that is, its worth noting that twelve other players found the net, most of whom have already agreed to terms with the Battery.

Experience is key to the unity and effectiveness of any given squad, but especially considering the high turnover rate of talented players in lower division football.  And while Alec Kann and Ryan Richter will surely be missed (transfered to Chicago Fire and Toronto FC, respectively), Charleston have retained the majority of their 2012 roster, practically unheard of in a Championship year.  Some of these guys have been kicking around together for three years now and when you combine that with the swell of fresh talent signed this season, the Charleston Battery are going to be tough to beat.

This season will bring lots of new excitement and changes.  It will be interesting to follow the development of the young partnership between MLS and USL and the crossover matches with the MLS Reserves are sure to liven up the table this year.  The addition of two new franchises introduce new blood and more unique soccer culture with Phoenix FC and VSI Tampa Bay debuting in USL in 2013.  Improved venues (i.e. Pittsburgh's Highmark Stadium) will ensure that the  USL drama will unfold on the finest of stages.  An expanded schedule adds more length to the season, and what kind of fan could take issue with more matches??`

The Major League Connection

While the ink has only just dried on the groundbreaking MLS/USL partnership agreement, the relationship between the two leagues is anything but a new one.  In fact, most casual fans might dismiss the assertion that the United Soccer League has been instrumental in shaping the dynamic, successful, ever expanding organization we now know as MLS.

Take a look at the teams at the top of the American soccer pyramid.  Granted, there are several MLS teams who are football pioneers in their own right, but the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Montreal Impact were all once among the most competitive sides in the USL.

Now look at the players that make up the mosaic of Major League talent.  You've got a handful of international stars (either waxing or waning), a good crop of kids drafted from their college teams, and a gracious harvest of persistent professionals who've made the breakthrough to the top tier of the national system.

Need examples?  Well, thanks for asking!  Here ya go:

Start with the Seattle Sounders.  From Charleston alone they've picked up Osvaldo Alonso, whose become their midfield maestro and team captain.  They also nabbed Lamar Neagle who has since been traded to the Montreal Impact.  Alex Caskey earned his MLS contract last year and features regularly with the boys in Rave Green.

The Battery's "Wildman", Tom Heinemann, signed first with the Columbus Crew in 2011 following Charleston's incredible Championship season.  Flourishing as an impact player, Tom was sidelined by injury in his second year.  But the future looks brighter still since the forward just completed a transfer to the Vancouver Whitecaps.  During his loan from NY Red Bulls to the Wilmington Hammerheads, last season Cory Hertzog won a spot on the USL All-league team and was easily one of the most entertaining players in USL.  Hertzog also recently put pen to paper with the 'Caps.

In Portland, the Timbers can thank the likes of the LA Blues for the striking starlet Bright Dike.  Dike's stint in LA paved the way for his acclimation to playing on an even larger stage.  Portland's defensive rookie Andrew Jean-Baptiste also spent time with the Blues last summer.

Especially considering the potential of the new MLS/USL partnership, this is really just the beginning.  The Charleston Battery has four more players training/on trial with MLS clubs and there's a good chance several of them may make the step up.  The Battery's offensive spark and set-piece hero Nicki Patterson is in camp with the New York Red Bulls, having impressed the big boys in their Open Cup outing in the Lowcountry.  Jose Cuevas, USL rookie of the year, is being looked at by the Seattle Sounders and is joined by teammate Cody Ellison.  Midfielder Ryan Richter, who enjoyed an incredible run of form throughout last year's championship season, is on trial with D.C. United and things look quite promising for him in the Capital.

USL Pro will soon be wrapping up their annual player combine, which promises to pump even more fresh talent into the system and with so many PDL franchises opening up across the States (not to mention the NPSL) the sport in America is growing in leaps and bounds.  Now that the nation's two premier leagues have joined forces, the sky is the limit!



(photo credit: MLS facebook page)

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)

Battery Trample Rhinos 4-3 in Extra PK's Advancing to Championship

In the world of sports, good games are usually remembered for a few days but often forgotten when the next match rolls around.  Great games sometimes become the high point of the season with maybe a play or two finding a place in our mental highlight reels.  Then, in an entirely separate category, are the monumental contests in which legends are born, showcasing such passion and persistence, where seconds of brilliance become defining moments, to be remembered forever from the smallest fan to the seasoned executive.

My friends, Charleston's semifinal playoff tie with Rochester was one such contest.  In my years as a Battery fan there have been countless ups and downs, but last night's extra-time penalty-kick winner shines among the brightest and best as one of the most dramatic showdown's I've experienced in any sport.  This game was truly something special.

An odd mix of history accompanied the Charleston Battery as they took the field Friday night at Sahlen's Stadium.  On their last visit, nearly three weeks ago, Charleston handed the Rhinos their worst home defeat in franchise history.  However, the Battery had only beaten Rochester once in postseason play, that playoff victory coming en route to their Championship in 2003.  With the weight of that tension hanging thick like a fog, the epic struggle commenced.  In the blink of an eye, halftime arrived and both sides entered the changing rooms seething frustration.  The hard-fought forty-five minutes ended in a stalemate with both teams deserving goals and each having none.

The blow came ten minutes after the intermission as the Rhinos dogged persistence fused with a touch of fortune to give the hosts a slender lead.  Rochester's Danny Earls sparked the play with a dangerous cross into the penalty area that was quickly skittered away by the Battery back-line.  The clearance fell to Rosenlund whose reflex shot was countered by a diving Andrew Dykstra.  But the game was up as Rhino's Kendell McFadden was on hand to poke home the parry, leaving Dykstra in no-man's land.

As the minutes elapsed, it seemed enough to send Rochester through to the final and Charleston's hope eroded with every tick of the official's watch.  But that watch saw fit to allow four minutes of stoppage time, just enough time for the visitors to resume the fight.  Punished in nearly the exact manner of their previous goal, former Rochester midfielder Tony Donatelli was the man who inflicted the critical wound.  John Wilson struck first and his shot was barely scuffed off the line.  Applying the pressure, Charleston put the ball right back into the box and a wild scramble ensued.  Charleston's Hoffer finally nabbed the ball and served it up for Donatelli.  The Battery forward used his head to level the game and send the match to extra time.

Both tension and exhaustion characterized the nervous half-hour with the Battery owning the early initiative.  JC Mack nearly netted twice, having been narrowly denied in the finish.  Rochester countered with immense pressure of their own, but this game was destined to finish in the most dramatic way possible.

While no wants a game to finish on penalty kicks, in terms of excitement, its pretty hard to beat.  The Rhinos were up first and Dykstra managed a colossal save right off the bat.  Patterson's penalty was flawless and the Battery had the lead.  Donatelli's kick went over the bar and with Captain Colin Falvey's shot stopped, Rochester were poised to finish the job.  Shockingly, Rhino's captain Troy Roberts dribbled his shot wide to send the affair into sudden death.  With astounding composure, Dykstra quenched two more penalties placing JC MACK on the spot, with the match to win.  Cooly converting, Charleston's comeback man fired them into the USL PRO Championship and into the realm of legend.

Bordering on the unbelievable, the Wilmington Hammerheads convincingly routed the Orlando City Lions, a defeat nearly as gratifying as the Battery's extra-time thriller.  These amazing results mean that the Charleston Battery will be hosting the Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL PRO Championship game at Blackbaud, this Saturday September 8.

Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

History is in the making and the Battery have managed their most memorable post-season run to date.  This is the Beautiful Game and I'm proud to have been a part of this incredible season.

As always, thanks for reading The Beautiful Game.

Jonathan


(photo credit: USLPRO facebook page)

Battery Advances to Semifinal with First-half Comeback over Islanders

The Charleston Battery have done it again, advancing to the league Semifinals with a stylish comeback victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders.  Last Saturday, the fans at Blackbaud experienced the full gamut of sporting emotions as they watched Charleston fall behind early, tie the match with a dramatic penalty, and then take the lead, all before the end of the first half.  

The story began in the 15th minute when Harrisburg's Brian Ombiji, easily one of the most dynamic forwards in USL this year, caught the Charleston defense napping, stroking home a goal on the back post.  And while the Islanders had their tails up for sure, that was to be the end of their scoring exploits on the evening and for the 2012 season for that matter.  Recovering quickly from the sucker-punch goal, the Battery seized possession and began turning the screw.  Our Low-country boys were rewarded about five minutes before the half.  Nicki Paterson fed Tony Donatelli who clanged a brilliant shot off the upright, resulting in a free-for-all inside the eighteen yard box.  The officials sighted a Harrisburg handball it was none other than Paterson who took the spot.  Hammering the ball low into the left corner of the net, Charleston were back on terms and the comeback was underway.  Donatelli and Jose Cuevas shredded their way through the Islanders defense using impressive one-two passing with Cuevas supplying the insightful through ball allowing Donatelli to lift the Battery with another goal just before the whistle.

Harrisburg went into the break reeling from the whirlwind first half but emerged stronger than before.  The Islanders tested Charleston's defense in every possible way, but under the Captaincy of the fiery Colin Falvey, the Battery's backline were miserly in the second period.  Nearly adding to the total in the final minutes of play, defender Mark Wiltse erupted in a landmark run streaking half the distance of the field in a sparkling individual effort.  In the end his shot trickled inches wide but the result was good enough to move on to the next round.

Here a look at the best of the action from last Saturday's playoff tie:

Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Friday night Charleston face the Rochester Rhinos at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester with the winner playing for the USL PRO Championship match.  Remember, not three weeks ago the Battery traveled north handing the Rhinos a 4-0 shellacking at Sahlen's with former Rhino Tony Donatelli leading the charge.  While Rochester will be eager to avenge that embarrassing defeat, the Battery can take the field with confidence in their history against the Northern foe.  Orlando City hosts the Wilmington Hammerheads Friday night...and Wilmington are the only team to defeat the Lions in regular season play.  If the Hammerheads manage the upset, and Charleston have their way with Rochester, that means the Battery would play host to the Championship game!!!  So lets dream big, go out and CRUSH the Rhinos!!! 

BE SURE you catch the game, Friday night August 31, on UNATION

Catching up with the Battery

Let's face it.  July was a pretty rough month for the Charleston Battery.  Out of a possible eighteen points from six matches, the Black and Yellow brought home only three.  The victory over Wilmington marks the only bright spot in a rather grim period for our boys.  As things went from bad to worse, at the end of the month the Battery's exhibition with Nottingham Forrest was cancelled because of a management shift across the pond.  Unfortunately, the negative trend continued into August as Charleston drew and then dropped their next two matches.  The results are as follows (match reports linked with each score-line) :

7/1/2012		@ Antigua Barracuda FC	L 0-1
7/6/2012		Charlotte Eagles	L 0-2
7/7/2012		@ Charlotte Eagles	L 0-1
7/14/2012		Wilmington Hammerheads	W 3-1
7/19/2012		Orlando City	L 1-2
7/27/2012		@ Orlando City	L 0-4
8/3/2012		Wilmington Hammerheads	D 2-2
8/4/2012		@ Wilmington Hammerheads	L 1-2
8/8/2012		@ Harrisburg City Islanders	L 0-3

Yep, there it is...silver lining!!

While all this leaves fans with little to cheer about, we may have just seen our silver lining.  In their last outing, the Battery tanked the Rochester Rhinos four-to-nil in New York.  Tony Donatelli led the charge with two goals and an assist, effectively ripping his former club a new one while earning USLPRO player of the week honors at the same time!!

The win awards Charleston with a playoff berth, but seeding will depend on the final week's results.  The Battery can still secure second place with win and a Rochester loss/draw.  That would give Charleston a bye to the league semi-finals.  Even if things don't go our way, we've still made the playoffs.  I'm already anxious to see who we'll draw.

But first things first, we've one match to play in the regular season.  Charleston host the Dayton Dutch Lions Saturday evening in our season finale.  While the Lions will be playing for pride, much more is at  stake for the Battery.  Contention for the final three playoff spots is incredibly tight as Richmond, Wilmington, Charlotte, Harrisburg, and Los Angeles are all still in the running.  With a win, we're practically guaranteed to host our playoff match(es).  A draw or loss opens the door for other teams to overtake Charleston in the standings.  We have a good record against Dayton and defeated them 1-0 back in June.  With so much at stake and so much uncertainty in the table this year's playoffs may prove our most exciting yet!

COME ON BATTERY!!!  Cage the Lions, then on to the postseason!!!

(photo credit: chas battery website)

Weekend Washout & What's Ahead

The weather stole the show over the weekend...well, actually the weather drowned the show, as the final two CCC match-ups were called on account of monsoon-like conditions.  Hope our guests packed their swim gear; it was nasty out there!!  But as disappointing as Saturday's fixtures turned out, the good news is that there's still plenty of preseason action on the way!

A dismal night at the 'Baud

The Battery will face Coastal Carolina University Thursday (3/8) at Blackbaud, and then travel to Georgia Saturday (3/10) to face the Atlanta Silverbacks.

A week from Saturday the boys take on Clemson (3/17) and finish out the month with ties against Coastal Carolina, our division rivals the Wilmington Hammerheads, and possibly our old league foes the Carolina Railhawks.

With more players coming into town, the Battery will be able to firm up and sort out the 2012 roster.  Expect to see several more new faces this year as well as some familiar heros.  Best of luck to the boys; we're looking forward to some entertaining matches in the next few weeks!