Its been an exciting week for Battery fans. First the Battery faithful found out that Charleston will once again be the host for an English team this summer. Nottingham Forest will take on the Charleston Battery on July 28 at Blackbaud stadium. The Battery then defeated Reading United in the USOC on Tuesday and, in turn, will play the New York Red Bulls next Tuesday at the Baud. On top of all that, the Battery will be home this Saturday to take on the LA Blues in regular league action.
Nottingham Forest so far have announced two matches in America, one against the Orlando City Lions on July 21 and the other here in the Holy City on July 28. you can read all the details in the Battery's official press release.
In Tuesday's USOC match, the Battery defeated PDL's Reading United 2-1. The Battery started off the match well earning five corners in the first 20 minutes. But Reading soon found there rhythm and the match evened out. Reading took the lead from a corner kick in the 64 minute. The Battery quickly responded with a great strike from Dane Kelly. Nicki Paterson took the lead with an awesome 30 plus yard free kick that would have made David Beckham proud.
With the win, the Battery now take on MLS' New York Red Bulls. The match should feature a now fit and legend Thierry Henry. How much time Henry plays is up Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe. Backe has been criticized in the past to his lacksidasal approach to the US Open Cup but has publicly said he plans to take it more serious this season.
Another member of the technical staff that will be familiar to Battery fans is Red Bulls Goalkeeping coach, Todd Hoffard. Todd played the 2001 and 2002 seasons with the Battery.
The Battery goalkeeping situation seems to be in flux once again. As you might recall, both the keepers the Battery signed at the beginning of the season, are currently injured. Alex Kann suffered a knee injury and is about two months into a four month recovery. Kevin Klasila suffered torn ligaments in his hand and is close to finishing his recover. The Battery got DC United and former Battery keeper Andrew Dykstra on loan, but DC United did not want Dykstra to be cup tied to Charleston so he is unable to play in the USOC. As a result, The Battery have signed two more goalkeepers. Former Wilmington Hammerhead keeper, Brock Duckworth and a youngster Joseph Wichmann. When we say youngster, we mean youngster; Wichmann, 17, is currently a junior at Wando High School and is a member of the Battery's U18 USSF Developmental Academy team. He has signed with a amateur contract that will allow him to still comply with NCAA rules.
Dykstra loan period as appeared to have end with the Battery. United's usual number 2 keeper is currently out with an eye injury and Dykstra was on the bench for DC United's match against Toronto FC on May 19. His latest loan contract expired on May 20.
We will see who is minding the net for the Battery in their match this Saturday against the LA Blues. The Blues are off to a rough start to the USL Pro season and were knocked out of the USOC by PDL side Ventura County. They also play a match tonight (May 24) against Orlando City Lions in Orlando, giving them one day rest as they travel to Charleston.
Fixture congestion and squad management will test Battery coach Mike Anhaueser over the next 10 days. The Battery will play four matches in seven days, with the match Saturday against LA, Tuesday USOC match up with NY Red Bulls, and away match on Thursday against Pittsburgh followed by an away match in Dayton Ohio against the Dayton Dutch Lions. Brutal to say the least. Auggie will have to utilize his entire roster over this stretch.
Tailgate for Saturday's game will be chicken and sides. Bring some beer and/or a side and join us near the East Stand entrance. We also secured a group rate for Tuesday's USOC match against New York. Ticket in E10 are only $8 each. you can get yours at the tailgate on Saturday or prior to the match on Tuesday.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Battery Knock Off Antigua
Four goals from four players, limiting the opposing team to only four shots with goalkeeper, Andrew Dykstra not having to make any saves is a pretty good night.
That what the Charleston Battery did to Antigua Barracuda in front of more than 3100 Friday night.
Four nicely taken goals from Jose Cuevas (45), Nicki Patterson (74), Sallieu Bundu (80) and Dane Kelly (90) showed a potent Battery offense. Five matches into the season, the Battery have scored 11 goals from seven different players. Cuevas and Paterson both have three goals and two assist. A look at the USL stats page shows, Cuevas and Paterson in second in goals scored on the season and tied for first in points (combination of goals and assists) in the league.
Antigua has had a potent offense with the leagues top scorer, Stefan Smith notching four goals. But the Battery defense of Taylor Mueller, Colin Falvey, Kyle Hoeffer and Johnny Wilson did a great job of limiting Antigua to only four shots. Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra wasn't forced to make a save all night.
For those that haven't seen the match, you can watch a replay of it at Uslnation.com. Great to hear Andrew Bell call the match and for this match, he had injured goalkeeper, Kevin Klasila doing a great job doing color commentary. If you haven't listen after watching the matches, Andrew gives a lot of great player info along with the occasional tidbit on what future events the squad and club are up to.
Next up, the Battery take on the undefeated Rochester Rhinos. The match will be at Blackbaud on Saturday May 12. It will also be "pink" night and the Battery will wear a special pink jersey to raise money for cancer research.
The Rhinos will be a tough test. Offensively they haven't been as potent as the Battery but defensively they yet to give up a goal. Also former Battery defender, Mike Zaher moved up to Rochester in the offseason.
Look for a new feature this week on No Quarter. For those that can't attend every match, we will be bringing you the "where are they now" and "player profile" features from the game day program. This week we will bring you current player Ryan Richter and former Battery player Patrick Olelare
That what the Charleston Battery did to Antigua Barracuda in front of more than 3100 Friday night.
Four nicely taken goals from Jose Cuevas (45), Nicki Patterson (74), Sallieu Bundu (80) and Dane Kelly (90) showed a potent Battery offense. Five matches into the season, the Battery have scored 11 goals from seven different players. Cuevas and Paterson both have three goals and two assist. A look at the USL stats page shows, Cuevas and Paterson in second in goals scored on the season and tied for first in points (combination of goals and assists) in the league.
Antigua has had a potent offense with the leagues top scorer, Stefan Smith notching four goals. But the Battery defense of Taylor Mueller, Colin Falvey, Kyle Hoeffer and Johnny Wilson did a great job of limiting Antigua to only four shots. Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra wasn't forced to make a save all night.
For those that haven't seen the match, you can watch a replay of it at Uslnation.com. Great to hear Andrew Bell call the match and for this match, he had injured goalkeeper, Kevin Klasila doing a great job doing color commentary. If you haven't listen after watching the matches, Andrew gives a lot of great player info along with the occasional tidbit on what future events the squad and club are up to.
Next up, the Battery take on the undefeated Rochester Rhinos. The match will be at Blackbaud on Saturday May 12. It will also be "pink" night and the Battery will wear a special pink jersey to raise money for cancer research.
The Rhinos will be a tough test. Offensively they haven't been as potent as the Battery but defensively they yet to give up a goal. Also former Battery defender, Mike Zaher moved up to Rochester in the offseason.
Look for a new feature this week on No Quarter. For those that can't attend every match, we will be bringing you the "where are they now" and "player profile" features from the game day program. This week we will bring you current player Ryan Richter and former Battery player Patrick Olelare
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Battery News Roundup
This week saw the Battery defeat the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, find out their US Open Cup opponents, saw a couple players make the USL Pro team of the week, and played a match against the Myrtle Beach Mutiny.
Nicki Paterson scored the only goal to give the Battery the 1-0 win over the Riverhounds. You can read the match review in our post Battery take down Riverhounds.
Also, head over to our friends at The Beautiful Game to read their post match review.
US Soccer also announce the first two round pairings for the 2012 US Open Cup. The Battery have a by in the first round and will enter in the second round taking on the winner from Reading United AC (PDL) v. NY Greek Americans (USASA). The match will be played at Blackbaud stadium on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:30pm.
Kudos to Nicki Paterson and Andrew Dykstra for being chosen for the USL Pro team of the week. Nicki's header and great play and Dykstra's vital saves and keeping a clean sheet were the key to their selection. John Wilson and Sallieu Bundu were also given honorable mentions.
Sunday, the Battery took on the Myrtle Beach Mutiny, a new NPSL team coached by Patrick Olalere. Unfortunately, we couldn't make it out to the match but we do know the Battery won 4-0 and JC Mack scored an incredible goal from about 30 yards out. One of the Regiment's own was out there and she shared her photos of the match HERE.
The Battery take on Antigua Barracuda this Friday night for the first time in the Battery's history. The Barracuda's are virtually the Antigua National team, the same ones that will take on the US Men's National Team June 8 in Tampa, Florida in World Cup Qualifying.
Antigua will play the Wilmington Hammerheads on Wednesday before traveling to Charleston to take on the Battery. Following the Battery match, Antigua will travel to Trinidad to compete in the qualifing rounds of the CONCACAF Champions League. It will be interesting to see how their squad approaches the travel and the compact schedule of matches.
Up the Battery
Nicki Paterson scored the only goal to give the Battery the 1-0 win over the Riverhounds. You can read the match review in our post Battery take down Riverhounds.
Also, head over to our friends at The Beautiful Game to read their post match review.
US Soccer also announce the first two round pairings for the 2012 US Open Cup. The Battery have a by in the first round and will enter in the second round taking on the winner from Reading United AC (PDL) v. NY Greek Americans (USASA). The match will be played at Blackbaud stadium on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:30pm.
Kudos to Nicki Paterson and Andrew Dykstra for being chosen for the USL Pro team of the week. Nicki's header and great play and Dykstra's vital saves and keeping a clean sheet were the key to their selection. John Wilson and Sallieu Bundu were also given honorable mentions.
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| Photo by Kim Gregory |
The Battery take on Antigua Barracuda this Friday night for the first time in the Battery's history. The Barracuda's are virtually the Antigua National team, the same ones that will take on the US Men's National Team June 8 in Tampa, Florida in World Cup Qualifying.
Antigua will play the Wilmington Hammerheads on Wednesday before traveling to Charleston to take on the Battery. Following the Battery match, Antigua will travel to Trinidad to compete in the qualifing rounds of the CONCACAF Champions League. It will be interesting to see how their squad approaches the travel and the compact schedule of matches.
Up the Battery
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