Preseason Match Results
Coastal Carolina 0-1 Charleston Battery
In a midweek scrimmage at Myrtle Beach, the Battery outdid the likes of CCU winning one goal to nil. Charleston scored just before halftime as Charlie Romero converted a corner kick from teammate Jose Cuevas. The two have combined nicely several times throughout the preseason and look to be a feisty scoring tandem in the upcoming season.Charleston Battery 0-2 Wilmington Hammerheads
The Low Country boys suffered a defeat against their derby foes from just up the road. The Hammerheads struck early capitalizing on an early chance inside the six yard box. Wilmington netted again in the second half with a deflection from a Battery defender.Carolina Railhawks 0-1 Charleston Battery
One goal at the quarter-hour mark was enough to clip the wings of the Railhawks at WakeMed Stadium Thursday afternoon. Midfielder Amadou Sanyang cleaned up a Cuevas corner to put Charleston ahead. The Battery survived a second half surge from the Hawks and our defense stood tall. Kyle Hoffer managed a critical headed save to keep the Battery in front. Coach Anhaeuser was very pleased with the squad's performance in their final preseason tangle, commenting on a solid backline as well as plenty of energy upfront.New Player Signings:
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| Bundu at Blackbaud to stay |
Coming from Sierra Leone, Bundu is a gifted striker with fantastic USL experience. Debuting for the Cleveland City Stars in 2008, he scored the game winner in the USL-2 Championship match. Moving up, Bundu joined the ranks of the Railhawks the following year. After several years with the Hawks, he spent the past season on loan with the Charlotte Eagles. Fleet of foot and smart in front of goal, Bundu will prove a valuable asset to the Battery's strike force. Paired with the quickness of Dane Kelly, who knows how many goals the two will tally this year!
Alec Kann
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| Kann makes a save in the CCC |
Kevin Klasila
Another keeper fresh out of college, the LA native was picked up by Coach Anhaeuser at the Ventura County Fusion Combine earlier this year. With an impressive trial in Charleston, Klasila's steady hands will add depth to a loaded Battery defense.
Tony Donatelli
With a rich experience throughout the continent, Donatelli will bring a commanding presence to Charleston's midfield. He is no stranger to trophies having won the '06 USL-1 title with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Donatelli was traded after three years to the Montreal Impact, and subsequently led his team to victory, scoring as Montreal defeated his former club, the Whitecaps, in the '09 USL-1 Championship match. Earning a call up from the San Jose Quakes in 2011, the Pennsylvania native eventually signed with the Rochester Rhinos. With the departure of Mike Zaher (to the Rhinos, in fact) Donatelli will add composure and experience in the middle of the pitch.
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| Donatelli in action for the Impact |
Richter was drafted last year by the Philadelphia Union but made his professional debut for the Harrisburg City Islanders. Featuring against the Battery last summer, the midfielder has since changed allegiances and joined Charleston.
Cody Ellison
Teammate of Jose Cuevas with the PDL's Fresno Fuego, Ellison joins the Battery midfield after impressing after an invitation to player trials.
I usually don't speak poorly of players, but Donatelli was so aggravating to watch play last year. The coach in Rochester played him primarily as a wide right midfielder, but he never stayed wide, wasn't fast enough to run onto balls played in the channels, and rarely tracked back to defend but when he did he would give away fouls.
ReplyDeleteIt could very well be that right midfield was an unnatural position for Donatelli, but he seemed ill-suited for every aspect of that role.
When he's on his game, however, he does bring composure to his team. And his experience has to count for something. But he was the only player I was glad to see leave the Rhinos in the offseason.
Thanks for the feedback! It'll be interesting to see how Donatelli fits into Charleston's midfield. Losing Mike Zaher and Alex Caskey, the Battery will likely have an entirely new chemistry in the middle third of the pitch. Judging from the preseason so far, things seem to be working, but then again, preseason matches don't count for anything!
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