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North-South All-Stars Split Two In S.C. The North and the South split a pair of senior high school
all-star games on June 19 at Wofford College’s Snyder Field in Spartanburg. North Girls Roster South Girls Roster North Boys Roster South Boys Roster Top of PageCharleston, SC.- The Charleston Battery has signed three players for the upcoming season. Defender Colin Falvey and midfielder Mark Briggs both played for the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2009 helping Wilmington to the USL2 regular season championship. Midfielder Josh Bolton comes to the Battery after prior stints with the Atlanta Silverbacks and the Rochester Rhinos. All three players sign pending USSf approval. Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser commented “Both Colin Falvey and Mark Briggs bring a wealth of experience and quality to our defense and midfield. Both players had very productive seasons in 2009 leading the Wilmington Hammerheads to a divisional title and we look forward to the same success with the Battery in 2010.” “Josh Bolton is a very solid player that will bring us size and experience in the midfield or the back as Josh can play in a few positions. Josh has done very well in Rochester and Atlanta and it is nice to have him on board for the 2010 season.” “We are exited to have all three of these players in a Battery uniform.” A native of Cork, Ireland, Falvey, 6-1, 185 lbs., 24 yrs., joined Wilmington prior to the start of the 2009 season; he played 15 games for Wilmington and was named to the USL2 All League Second Team. Midfielder Mark Briggs also spent the 2009 season with the Hammerheads and is currently playing for Mosta of the Maltese First Division. Briggs, 6-1, 175 lbs., 28 yrs., is a native of Wolverhampton, UK and began his pro career with West Bromwich Albion. Midfielder Josh Bolton, a native of Penfield, NY, Bolton played 28 games for the Silverbacks; he has also played for the Rochester Rhinos and the Harrisburg City Islanders. Carolina Challenge Cup Tickets for the 2010 Carolina Challenge Cup are on sale now with prices frozen at 2009 levels ($15 - $25, (843) 971-GOAL (4625) / www. Charlestonbattery.com). Charleston Battery Season Ticket holders receive complimentary tickets to all three Carolina Challenge Cup doubleheaders. Top of PageThe team that was absent in recent announcements about the USL First Division and the new Second Division professional team has been the Charleston Battery. Which way would they go? Well, the answer is in, and it is neither. The Battery will stay in the United Soccer Leagues, but will drop down to third division status as a member of the USL Second Division. That will keep intact longtime rivalries for the Battery with the Richmond Kickers, Charlotte Eagles and Wilmington Hammerheads.
The USL First Division lost its sixth team following the announcement that the Charleston Battery, a USL member since 1993 with two championships to its name, will to play in the USL Second Division (third level) in 2010. Earlier the USL-1 lost five 2009 teams to the proposed new North American Soccer League (NASL) -- champion Montreal, Vancouver, Miami FC, Carolina and Minnesota. In addition, expansion Tampa Bay joined the NASL. "We believe that the level of competition in USL-2 will be very similar to that in USL-1 and we expect to field a very exciting and competitive team," said Battery President Andrew Bell, to Soccer America. "We also look forward to renewing old rivalries with Richmond and Charlotte. Playing in this division will also substantially reduce our travel costs as we won't be flying all over the country." Charleston was the only USL-1 team that was not part of the Team Owners Association (TOA), formed in 2008 to address issues with USL management and now looking to form the NASL. "The Charleston Battery has never been a part of TOA," said Charleston Battery CEO Tony Bakker, in the Soccer America article. "not because we disagreed with some of the legitimate complaints they had about how USL1 operated in the past, but because we totally disagreed with their stated vision to be a viable alternative league to Major League Soccer (MLS) and to compete with MLS on and off the field. This made absolutely no sense to us." The Battery will play a 20-game regular season schedule beginning mid-April. It will once again host its preseason tournament the Carolina Challenge Cup featuring Major League Soccer teams in March and will also enter the U.S. Open Cup, in which it finished second in 2008. Top of PageClemson’s Trevor Adair Resigns Clemson, SC - Clemson men's soccer coach Trevor Adair has announced his resignation after 14 years as the school's head coach. Adair posted a record of 174-91-26 in his Clemson career that included nine trips to the NCAA Tournament and eight top 12 national poll finishes. "After a great deal of thought and prayer, I believe the time is right to pursue other opportunities in coaching and to help transition the Clemson program to new leadership," said Adair. "Jody and I wish to thank our family, friends, supporters, and, of course, the student-athletes for all their friendship, love, and support during our wonderful journey at Clemson. With appreciation to them, we look forward to pursuing new and exciting opportunities with great joy and anticipation. Thank you Tiger Nation." "We wish to thank Coach Adair for his contributions to our soccer program the last 14 years," said Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips. "We had many bright moments at Riggs Field during his tenure and we wish him the best in his future endeavors." Among Adair's nine NCAA Tournament seasons was a trip to the Final Four in 2005. The Tigers had a 15-6-3 record that year, including four wins over top 20 teams. It was Clemson's first Final Four since the program won the 1987 National Championship. Clemson reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament seven times and the Elite Eight five seasons during Adair's career. Adair had 52 wins over top 25 teams in his 14 years at Clemson, including seven in 1998 and 2001. His Tigers defeated a number-one ranked Wake Forest team in Winston-Salem during the 2002 NCAA Tournament. The Tigers also defeated a number-one ranked Maryland team in 2006. The Tigers defeated Maryland and North Carolina this past season, and those two teams played for the National Championship. Clemson was ranked number-one in the nation in the final regular season poll for 1998 when it posted a 22-2 record, the best record of Adair's career. Clemson won the ACC regular season and the ACC Tournament that year. Clemson also won the ACC Championship in 2001 when it had a 19-5 record, including wins over Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia to win the ACC Tournament. Adair coached 14 All-Americans, including Wojtek Krakowiak, who won the 1998 Herman Award. Current United States National team player Oguchi Onyewu was also an All-American at Clemson during Adair's career. Including four years at Brown University, Adair has a career mark of 208-115-31. Assistant Coach Phil Hindson will serve as the interim coach for the Clemson program through the 2009 season. Top of PageCHARLESTON, SC -- The Charleston Battery closed out the
2009 Carolina Challenge Cup falling to Major League Soccer’s D.C.
United 2-0 Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium. Real Salt Lake claimed
the tournament title in the night’s opening match, topping Toronto
FC 2-1. The Battery kicks off the season April 11 at defending USL-1 league champions Vancouver, opening league play at Blackbaud Stadium a week later, hosting Montreal April 18. D.C. United, winless in CCC play and having scored only one goal going into Saturday’s match, fielded a mixture of first team players and reserves versus the Battery. As he had done in the Battery’s previous two tournament matches, Anhaeuser made wholesale changes to the lineup at halftime to allow the nearly dozen players fighting for roster spots the opportunity to prove themselves. The two clubs traded innocuous shots in the opening minutes before the match fell into a midfield battle slowly won over with the experience of Christian Gomez and Clyde Simms, two probable starters for United when the season opens next weekend, giving United the run of play in the last quarter hour of the half. The loss of experience and continuity cost the Battery in the 57th minute when Luciano Emilio opened scoring on the night, beating halftime substitute goalkeeper Keith Wiggans to the far post after running onto an Ange N’Silu flick at the top of the penalty area. Nelson Akwari nearly put his name on the score sheet in the 67th minute getting on the end of a Tsuyoshi Yoshitake free kick, forcing halftime substitute goalkeeper Josh Wicks to make his first save in a D.C. United uniform. The Battery came right back at Wicks. Again it was Yoshitake on the right flank, sending a cross into Pedro Faife in the six-yard box. Faife’s was tipped by Wicks and slammed off the crossbar and back into play before it was cleared away. Andrew Jacobson doubled United’s lead in the 82nd minute with a right footed blast from 30-plus. The shot took a partial deflection as it went through a crowded penalty area, leaving a diving Wiggans helpless as the ball went the other way. The win moved United ahead of the Battery on the CCC table for third place. Real Salt Lake 2 - Toronto FC 1 RSL began the match taking a direct approach, using the speed of forwards Robbie Findley and Yura Movsisyan. In just the second minute Findley was unlucky not to have his first goal of the tournament, running onto a long ball played from but back but could not get enough behind his shot to beat Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Three minutes later Movsisyan got the better of Frei, running through the TFC offside trap onto an arcing ball played from the center circle by Javier Morales. Movsisyan finished the opportunity for his second goal in the CCC. Clint Mathis doubled RSL’s lead in the 20th minute,
slamming home a low cross from inside the six-yard box from Findley. “I thought it was a fantastic start,” Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis said. “We were giving them all kinds of trouble. Some of the troubles we gave them, I think, ended up resulting in getting their player ejected. They were having trouble with our two forwards all night.” With a two-goal and one-man advantage, RSL assumed a more defensive posture for the last 15 minutes of the half, conceding the midfield, which allowed TFC to attack more freely. After several opportunities, Dwayne De Rosario pulled TFC one back in the 37th minute, netting his third goal in three CCC games. The goal came after Chris Wingert headed an Amado Guevara free kick off the line. Carl Robinson put the ball back in the goalmouth for De Rosario to finish. RSL joins Columbus, San Jose, and Houston as winners of the preseason tournament. Four of the past five champions have gone on to win one of Major League Soccer’s two trophies the same year as winning the CCC. 2009 Season Tickets Top of PageBattery fall 2-1 to RSL in CCC CHARLESTON, SC -- The Charleston Battery fell to Real Salt
Lake Wednesday night 2-1 at Blackbaud Stadium in the second round of Carolina
Challenge Cup play. In the night’s opening match, Toronto F.C. topped
D.C. United 2-1 in a match that was very much the story of two halves.
Ian Fuller had the Battery’s loan goal in the game, a spectacular 30-yard free kick that drew the game level in the 49th minute. RSL trialist Joe Zewe nearly put the visitors in the lead six minutes into the match, collecting a ball inside the penalty area and firing his shot off the far post and back into play. The Battery regulars came right back at what was mostly a RSL reserve side, creating several chances but failing to capitalize. “We got a couple breaks early but we just couldn’t make them pay for it,” Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser said. Clint Mathis opened scoring on the night in the 22nd minute sneaking a 22-yard free kick through the Battery wall inside Keith Wiggans’ near post. “I’m disappointed we gave up a goal like that,” Anhaeuser said. “But we really haven’t had the chance to work much on set plays yet, so I’m not that concerned about it. All of that will be sorted out before the season starts. It looked like the Battery had pulled level at the half-hour mark when Matt Bobo headed a Tyler Hemming corner kick into a crowded goalmouth. Reynier Alcantara appeared to have poked the ball over the line, only to be called offside and the goal disallowed. Fuller left little to question as to the validity of his goal with six minutes remaining the half, hammering a vicious free-kick over the RSL wall to the near post past a diving Chris Seitz. With 30 minutes remaining both coaches began substitution liberally. RSL coach Jason Kreis utilized several regular first team players as substitutes including Kyle Beckerman, whose dipping volley from 35-yards caught Wiggans off his line to put RSL in the lead in the 77th minute. The Battery concludes the Carolina Challenge Cup Saturday in a U.S. Open Cup rematch with D.C. United. Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m. RSL wraps up CCC play Saturday at 5 p.m. facing Toronto FC. The winner of the match will be crowned winner of the 2009 Carolina Challenge Cup. Toronto FC 2 Both teams fielded a majority of first team players in the first half. Toronto did not have the services of Welsh international Carl Robinson, who played 90 minutes on Saturday and was rested by coach John Carver. D.C. United was missing goalkeeper Louis Crayton, and midfielders Santino Quaranta and Fred, all of whom sustained injuries in Saturdays 3-0 loss to Real Salt Lake. Chad Barrett put TFC in the lead in the 21st minute nodding in a Dwayne De Rosario cross, beating his marker to the ball. Newly acquired Pablo Vitti set up the goal, winning the ball at the top of the penalty area and feeding a streaking De Rosario who found a lightly marked Barrett six-yards from goal. De Rosario doubled the score 12 minutes later converting a penalty kick after Dejan Jakovic’s clumsy tackle on Amado Guevara. De Rosario slotted the penalty to his left, sending Milos Kocic the other way. Toronto kept the pressure through the end of the first half, and was unlucky to not enter the dressing room up by four goals after last Saturday’s hero Rohan Ricketts and Barrett both just missed chances. While Carver stuck with his first team, D.C. United coach Tom Soehn made wholesale changes to his second half lineup and shifting the original 4-4-2 formation to a 3-5-2. The move played immediate dividends, creating the necessary midfield pressure D.C. United lacked in the first half. Just three minutes into the second stanza Chris Pontius pulled United a goal back, first-timing the cross of former Battery winger Boyzzz Kyumalo from short range. Though United did control the run of play, it wasn’t until the 90th minute that United seriously threatened to pull the game level when Francis Doe beat his defender off the dribble and blasted a 20-yard shot that beat Sutton but slammed off the crossbar. The Carolina Challenge Cup concludes Saturday. Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC square off for the CCC title at 5 p.m. followed by Charleston and D.C. United. Carolina Challenge Cup Tickets All Charleston Battery season ticket holders receive a 50 percent discount on all Carolina Challenge Cup tickets. Group ticket discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Please call (843) 971-4625 for details. Top of PageCCC kicks off Saturday in Charleston CHARLESTON, SC -- The sixth edition of the Carolina Challenge Cup kicks off Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium with a doubleheader pitting Major League Soccer’s D.C. United and Real Salt Lake, and Toronto FC versus tournament host, the Charleston Battery. The round robin format opens with D.C. United facing Real Salt Lake at 5 p.m., followed by the Battery and Toronto at 7:15. In their two prior meetings—both in CCC play—the Battery is 1-1 versus Toronto. Last year the Battery topped the Reds 2-0 behind a brace by Randi Patterson in his Battery debut. In 2007 Toronto topped Charleston 3-0. The Battery enters the tournament with just a week of preseason training in the books. Fifth-year coach Michael Anhaeuser returns the core of the lineup that overcame two MLS sides to earn a spot in the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals including Dusty Hudock in goal, Nelson Akwari and John Wilson in defense, and Ian Fuller and Stephen Armstrong in the midfield, and Randi Patterson up front. Though under contract with the Battery, Patterson and Armstrong will not be available for the tournament due to indoor soccer commitments. New acquisitions to the Battery roster for 2009 include former Carolina RailHawks captain Frankie Sanfilippo, who is expected to compete for a starting spot in the back line. Other signings will be announced once cleared by the league. Most notably absent from the Battery roster is the midfield lynchpin and USL-1 Rookie of the Year recipient Osvaldo Alonso, who transferred to MLS expansion side Seattle Sounders FC in the offseason. The tournament will also be used as a testing ground for several trialists brought in to compete for roster spots. Players include former Cuban national teamers Reynier Alcantara and Yenier Bermudez, and J-League veteran Tsuyoshi Yoshitake. Toronto F.C. Also new to the Reds is Canadian international Adrian Serioux from Dallas FC, who will bookend the TFC backline with U.S. international Marvell Wynne. Along with the scoring threat of De Rosario, Guevara, and fan favorite Danny Dichio, the Reds added some offensive punch with the acquisition of former Argentinean youth international Pablo Vitti, who joins TFC on loan from Independiente of Argentina’s first division. The Reds come to Charleston following a training stint in Florida where the club faced MLS sides Chicago and New York, Florida Atlantic University, and Swedish first division side BK Hacken. Robinson, De Rosario, and Vitti all tallied in the 3-0 win over the Swedes. DC United D.C. returns 2007 Golden Boot winner Luciano Emilio and fellow Brazilian Fred, who each tallied in United’s 2-1 Open Cup final win over Charleston last August, along with former USL-1 standout Clyde Simms, the resurging Santino Quaranta, and 13-year MLS veteran Jamie Moreno. Real Salt Lake Coach Jason Kreis enters his second full season in charge after leaving the playing ranks to take over the club midway through the 2007 season. In what was a relatively quiet off-season for the RLS compared to years past, the club signed Colombian defender Jamison Olave to a multi-year contract from Deportivo Cali. Olave came to the club on loan from the Colombian first division side last season and earned a reputation as one of the league’s best center backs. U.S international Kyle Beckerman and journeyman Clint Mathis anchor RSL’s dangerous midfield, with the speedy Robbie Findley and Yura Movsisyan up front. RSL kicked off preseason training in California where it humbled Chinese club Shandong Leneng Taishan 8-0 before moving to Florida where it most recently fell to Swedish side BK Hacken. The round robin competition resumes Wednesday, March 11, when United and Toronto square off and the Battery faces RSL, with the final pair of games on Saturday, March 14, with Toronto facing RSL followed by a USOC final rematch between the Battery and D.C. United. Kickoffs are at 5 and 7:15 p.m. Tickets are available for each doubleheader or the six-match series. Individual day tickets are $25 Club/Box and $15 bleacher. Series tickets are $50 Club/Box and $35 bleacher. Club/Box seats include pub passes. All 2009 Charleston Battery season ticket holders receive 50 percent discount on Carolina Challenge Cup tickets. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Call 843-971-4625 or go to www.charlestonbattery.com to purchase tickets or for more information. Top of Page2009 Carolina Challenge Cup Teams Set Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery will square off with DC United in a re-match of the 2008 U.S. Open Cup final during the 2009 Carolina Challenge Cup to be held at Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston SC, March 7 – 14. United defeated the Battery 2-1 in last year’s national championship game, the match was played at RFK Stadium in Washington DC. DC will join two other sides from Major League Soccer, Toronto FC & Real Salt Lake plus the USL First Division’s Charleston Battery for the prestigious pre-season tournament. Toronto returns for a third consecutive tournament appearance while Real Salt Lake make a first ever visit to Blackbaud Stadium. 2009 marks the sixth consecutive year that the Charleston Battery has hosted the Carolina Challenge Cup. “Once again the organization has brought together three fantastic teams from Major League Soccer and as in past years this will be a great test for the Battery players as we begin to build for our season,” said Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser. “It is good have Toronto back again and also to welcome Salt Lake for a first visit. I am also looking forward to having DC United back in Charleston as our games in the past, including last year’s cup final have always been exciting matches.” All three MLS teams will spend the week in Charleston, SC, training between the games as they prepare for the start of the Major League Soccer season. The competition format will remain unchanged in 2009 with three match day’s each featuring a double-header. The games will be played on Saturday (March 7) – Wednesday (March 11) – Saturday (March 14), with each team playing the other in a round-robin tournament. DC United United returns to the Carolina Challenge Cup for a fourth appearance; DC participated from 2004 – 2006 but has never lifted the trophy. United’s roster includes two designated players, Brazilian striker Luciano Emilio and Argentinean midfielder Marcelo Gallardo. Toronto FC Led by second year head coach John Carver, TFC bolstered its roster during the off-season acquiring Canadian striker and two-time MLS Cup MVP (2001, 2007) Dwayne De Rosario. This is the third consecutive year that TFC will have visited Charleston for its pre-season. Real Salt Lake RSL also enjoyed considerable success on the pitch in 2008. After finishing third in the Western Conference Salt Lake advanced to the Western Conference championship (MLS Cup semifinal) but lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls. Carolina Challenge Cup Tickets Carolina Challenge Cup past participants and winners 2005 2006 2007 2008 Top of PageBattery Moves Into First Place The Charleston Battery defeated the Rochester Rhinos 3-1 at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 3,691; the win lifts the Battery into first position in the USL First Division. Charleston scored two unanswered goals in the first-half and added a third with ten minutes to go to secure the victory; the Rhinos played most of the game reduced to ten men after defender Alfonso Loera was ejected in the 41st minute. The Battery’s Randi Patterson tied Miami FC’s Alex Afonso and Seaettle’s Sebastein Le Toux for the USL-1 goalscoring lead with seven goals when he scored Charleston’s second goal. The Battery opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. Defender Nelson Akwari started the scoring sequence with a driven ball to Chris Williams at the half-way line. Williams played the ball forward for central-midfielder Chris Corcoran to run onto. Corcoran played the ball square to Lazo Alavanja at the top of the box who immediately slipped the ball out to Stephen Armstrong on the left side. Armstrong took the pass in stride and hammered a low shot into the far corner. It was 2-0 less than two minutes later after forward Randi Patterson earned a free-kick on the left side. Osvaldo Alonso whipped the ball into the near post and Patterson beat his defender to the ball and finished with a neat flick past goalkeeper Scott Vallow. Rochester were reduced to ten men just before half time after defender Alfonso Loera was ejected for a late tackle on Patterson just outside the box. The Battery is back at Blackbaud Stadium on Tuesday night as it takes on the current Major League Soccer Champions, the Houston Dynamo in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup; gates open at 6:00 P.M. with kick off set for 7:30 P.M. Top of PageCHARLESTON, SC -- The Charleston Battery has agreed to terms with goalkeeper Dusty Hudock for the 2008 season. Hudock is the Battery’s all-time leader in games started (231), he has played eight seasons for the Charleston Battery (1999 – 2004 & 2006 - present) and was a member of Charleston’s 2003 USL First Division Championship winning team. Hudock has twice been named USL First Division Goalkeeper of the Year (1997 & 2002). Charleston Battery head coach, Mike Anhaeuser, “Dusty has been one of the best goalkeepers in our league over the past ten years; he brings a wealth of experience not just to the goalkeeping position but also to the team as a whole. With our recent additions and a couple of other players that we are looking at, we should see a return to our past formidable defensive unit.” Hudock, 35, is the all-time leading goalkeeper for the Charleston Battery with 118 wins and a GAA of 1.08. He has recorded 84 shutouts and started 231 games, both all-time Battery goalkeeper records. Hudock's individual honors include: Charleston Battery MVP (2002, 2003, 2004), Charleston Battery Defender of the Year (2001, 2002, 2006 & 2007), and USL First Division Goalkeeper of the Year (1997, 2002). A native of Phoenix, AZ, Hudock was a key figure in the Battery's 2003 championship campaign recording vital shutouts in both Eastern Conference Championship games versus the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Hudock also recorded a shutout in the USL First Division Championship game as the Battery defeated the Minnesota Thunder by a score of three goals to none. Hudock started his pro career with the Seattle Sounders in 1994. Before turning pro, Hudock was a two-time All American at the University of Washington in 1992 and 1993 and led the nation in GAA in 1992. Battery signs Brian Bell Charleston Battery head coach, Mike Anhaeuser, “Brian Bell enjoyed a lot success with Wilmington last year, he is highly rated and I look forward to him competing for a place in our starting line-up.” A native of Houston, TX, Bell 6-2, 180 lbs., 21 yrs., was an ever-present with Wilmington last year playing 20 games and scoring 1 goal. Bell attended Furman University prior to turning pro. Top of PageWilson making return to Charleston CHARLESTON, SC -- The Charleston Battery has agreed to terms with veteran defender John Wilson for the upcoming season. A Clemson product, Wilson started his pro career with the Battery in 1999 and was a member of the 2003 Championship winning side. He went on to play for the Rochester Raging Rhinos and then Major League Soccer’s DC United. The Battery has also signed defender Jack Stewart; Stewart comes to the Battery after three years in Major League Soccer with Real Salt Lake and the Chicago Fire; both players sign pending USSF approval. Charleston Battery head coach, Mike Anhaeuser, “John Wilson’s return to the Battery is an exciting signing for us and we are hopeful that Johnny can regain his form and once again become an all-star defender in our league. He brings a wealth of experience with him and I anticipate him helping some of the younger players develop.” “Jack Stewart is a product of MLS and a highly touted defender who can play in the middle or on either flank; we are looking for him to make an immediate impact. These two players should significantly strengthen our back line for the upcoming season.” John Wilson A native of Seneca, SC, Wilson spent the 2004 season with Battery rival the Rochester Raging Rhinos then in May 2005 joined MLS’s DC United. Wilson played 29 games for DC but after struggling with injury in 2007 was waived in June. Prior to turning pro Wilson was a four year starter at Clemson University, scoring 18 goals with 27 assists in 80 games played. Jack Stewart A native of Torrance, CA Stewart, 6-2, 180 lbs., 24 yrs., was a four-year starter at Notre Dame. Stewart finished his senior season at Notre Dame as one of 15 semifinalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy Award; he was also named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. Top of PageMajor League Soccer returns to Charleston for a week of
preseason exhibition games. “Major League Soccer is coming back for a fifth year with our annual Carolina Challenge Cup tournament,” said Charleston head coach Mike Anhaeuser. “This event is a great opportunity for our players and fans to get a taste of the upcoming season and squad. It is also a good opportunity for us to test ourselves against some of the best talent in the United States.” All three MLS teams will spend the week in Charleston, training between the games as they prepare for the start of the MLS season. The competition format will remain unchanged in 2008 with three matchday’s each featuring a double-header. The games will be played on Saturday (March 15) – Wednesday (March 19) – Saturday (March 22), with each team playing the other in a round-robin tournament. 2007 CCC winners the Houston Dynamo are unable to defend their title due to CONCACAF Champions Cup commitments. Remarkably each winner from the previous five Carolina Challenge Cup competitions has gone on to win either the MLS Commissioners Cup (regular season championship) or MLS cup. New York Red Bulls New York recently hired former Chicago Fire chief Juan Carlos Osorio as the 11th head coach in the teams13-year history. Osorio was the manager of Club Deportivo Millonarios of the Futbol Profesional Colombiano from 2006-2007. He also served as an assistant coach with Manchester City of the English Premier League from 2001-2006 and as an assistant with the New York MetroStars from 2000-2001. The Red Bulls were one of the MLS sides to use their designated player option in 2007 signing Juan Pablo Angel; Angel had an exception year with New York scoring 19 goals and adding 5 assists in 24 games played. Toronto FC U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley named three Toronto FC players to the training camp roster that began workouts Thursday January 3rd in California. Defenders Marvell Wynne and Todd Dunivant, and midfielder Maurice Edu were all named to the 26-man squad that will train at The Home Depot Center in Carson in preparation for the U.S.A's first match of 2008. The U.S. will host Sweden in a friendly at the Home Depot Center on Jan. 19. San Jose Earthquakes The Carolina Challenge Cup games will be the ‘Quakes first competitive matches prior to their return to Major League Soccer. Former LA Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop will lead the Earthquakes in their inaugural campaign. Former Charleston Battery forward Gavin Glinton was picked by San Jose in the MLS expansion draft. Tournament Schedule Carolina Challenge Cup past participants and winners 2005 2006 2007 Tickets for the 2008 Carolina Challenge Cup are on sale with series packages and individual games available. For more information or group ticket inquiries call (843) 971-GOAL (4625). Top of PageClemson
Hires Strosberg, Two South Carolina collegiate soccer head coaching positions have been filled. Hershey Strosberg, assistant women’s coach at Virginia for the past seven seasons, has been named the new women’s head coach at Clemson University. Ralph Polson, longtime men’s assistant men’s coach at The College of Charleston, has been hired as the new men’s head coach at Wofford College. The Cavaliers were 102-37-19 during the seven seasons Strosberg was an
assistant at Virginia. Among his many responsibilities, was that of recruiting
coordinator. He takes over at Clemson for Todd Bramble, who recently accepted
the women’s head coaching position at the University of Alabama. Troy Lesesne, who has been on the CofC staff for the past seven seasons, has been named the Cougars assistant head coach, replacing Polson., Top of PageFurman Men Picked To Win So-Con Title The Furman men‚s soccer team received five of eight first place votes and was selected as the preseason favorite to grab its 18th Southern Conference championship in voting by the league’s coaches it was announced Tuesday by the SoCon office. Defending league champion UNC Greensboro was picked second in the “It is great to be voted at the top by the other coaches, but its
just the Furman also paced the league with four preseason All-SoCon selections.
Furman, which continues its preseason with a 7 p.m. match at South 2007 Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll Top of PagePrep All-Star Games Set For Charleston The inaugural “Clash of the Carolinas”, title sponsored by Columbia United FC, will take place on Saturday, July 7 at Daniel Island’s Blackbaud Stadium, home of the USL First Division Charleston Battery. This high school All-Star match will feature 32 of the top boys and girls seniors in North Carolina and South Carolina. Kickoff for the girls match is 3:00 p.m., with the boys game set to start at 5:00 p.m. The games are sponsored by the South Carolina Soccer Coaches Association and the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association. The All-Star games will be followed by a professional soccer match slated for 7:30 p.m., between the Charleston Battery and the Puerto Rico Islanders. Coaching the North Carolina girls all-star team will be Larry Bosc (East Mecklenburg), Doug Kidd (Watauga) and Rob Wilcher (TC Roberson), while the girls coaches are Herk DeGraw (Grimsley), Izzy Hernandez (Broughton) and Zack Osborne (Page). South Carolina’s girls coaches are Gwynne Armstrong (J.L. Mann) and Tom Reilly (Academic Magnet) and the boys coaches are Frank Ridlehoover (Gaffney) and Dick Smith (T.L. Hanna). Rosters for the two all-star games can be found online at www.scsoccer.com. Top of PageCHARLESTON, SC -- For the Houston Dynamo, it is all about eliminating mistakes at this point in the preseason. But a mistake is what cost them a late goal to the Charleston Battery in Wednesday’s nightcap of the Carolina Challenge Cup. A Zach Wells blunder resulted in a 1-1 draw, and, in the process, made the Orange’s quest for a third straight CCC title a little more difficult. The Dynamo got on the board in the 17th minute after the USL Division One side conceded a free kick on the left flank. Stuart Holden’s out-swinging free kick found Ryan Cochrane’s head as he rose above the pack of defenders just outside the six-yard box. Cochran’s snap header left Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock helpless as the ball slammed against the back of the net. In the 27th minute Houston was unlucky not to double its lead when Kevin Goldthwaite slammed a shot off the crossbar. Alejandro Moreno was equally unlucky not to connect on the rebound. The tide began to turn in the Battery’s favor with the beginning of the second half. Charleston made several strong runs on goal, and had Houston on its heels as coach Dominick Kinnear began toying with his lineup, inserting Dwayne De Rosario and Brian Ching, both of whom had been away from the team with national team duty. Neither Ching or De Rosario were effective as substitutes, as they were both forced to fall into a defensive posture as the Battery continued to push the attack. The Battery finally pulled level in the 83rd minute off a looping ball played into the penalty area by defender Tim Karalexis. Wells raced well out of his goal losing the challenge to the Battery’s six-foot-six Jamaican international Newton Sterling. With Wells well out of his goal, Sterling nodded the ball over the flailing Wells, who could do nothing but watch it bounce across the line for the equalizer. “It was a bad decision,” Wells said. “It’s something you have to learn from.” The draw keeps Houston in first place in the CCC standings after its convincing 2-0 win over Toronto last Saturday. Toronto holds second place with a 1-0-1 tournament record after beating New York 2-1 on Wednesday. New York and Charleston hold third and fourth place respectively. For an expansion team, pretty much everything is a first. With Toronto FC’s first preseason all but completed, the team picked up a very, very big first, beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Wednesday in the Carolina Challenge Cup. The win was the expansion club’s first - exhibition or otherwise - against an MLS team. Toronto has admittedly taken a slightly different approach to preseason training. While other MLS clubs had faced league competition in preseason scrimmages varying in formality for nearly the last two months, Toronto did not face MLS competition until it opened the Carolina Challenge Cup last Saturday, struggling in a 2-0 loss to last year’s MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo. Against the Red Bulls - missing only Marcus Schopp and Jozy Altidore - a considerably less-than-full-strength Toronto side missing several starters fended off the Red Bulls for a much-deserved first win. Toronto jumped out in the ninth minute when Alecko Eskandarian side-footed in a seeing eye ball from Ronnie O’Brien who, wearing the captain’s armband for the night, found Eskandarian alone in the six-yard box. New York responded in the 21st minute when Dave van der Bergh found John Wolyniec with a perfectly placed cross from the left flank. Wolyniec calmly headed the Red Bulls level past a stranded Greg Sutton. But it wasn’t until the 36th minute that Toronto experienced its first lead in a club history. After steadily pushing the New York goal for some time Toronto was awarded a free kick on the right flank. O’Brien curled an in-swinging free kick into Ronald Waterreus’ goal area. Edson Buddle’s far-post run put him in the perfect spot. He rose over Carlos Mendes and nodded home the game-winner. But probably the biggest hero of the night was Sutton, who made several key saves to preserve the win, including a well-taken van den Bergh penalty kick. The call leading up to the spot kick was, at best, questionable. A hard-driven shot from outside the penalty area hit Jim Brennan somewhere above the waist. The referee whistled the foul and pointed to the spot, despite the welt Brennan showed him on his chest. With Claudio Reyna having been substituted, van den Bergh stepped up and hit a powerful spot kick just inside Sutton’s left post. Sutton did well to get to the ball and pounce on the rebound. It was the second consecutive saved penalty kick for the Red Bulls. Against Charleston Battery on Saturday, Reyna had a penalty saved in the team’s second-half injury time win over the USL First Division side. Both teams are back in action Saturday as the Carolina Challenge Cup concludes with Toronto facing Charleston and New York taking on Houston. Top of PageThe Charleston Battery pre-season camp is underway as the 2007 squad prepares for the 2007 Carolina Challenge Cup and then the USL First Division season. The Carolina Challenge Cup gets underway on March 24; the Battery’s tournament opener is versus Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls at 8:15 PM. The Challenge Cup features the New York Red Bulls, MLS defending champion Houston Dynamo and expansion Toronto FC, as well as the Battery. Three doubleheaders will be played. Charleston Battery Pre-Season Schedule 2007 Carolina Challenge Cup Charleston Battery Season Tickets Top of Page2007 Carolina Challenge Cup Set CHARLESTON, SC -- The Charleston Battery will host the fourth annual Carolina Challenge Cup March 24 - 31 at Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island. Current Major League Soccer champs the Houston Dynamo return for a second straight visit as does Red Bull New York, this season under the leadership of former US Men’s National Team Head Coach Bruce Arena. The third MLS side set to appear is the expansion franchise, Toronto FC who will play their first competitive games at Blackbaud Stadium during the pre-season tournament. "The Carolina Challenge Cup will be our final preseason tune-up before our regular season begins," said Red Bull New York Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. "We are looking forward to seeing the Houston Dynamo and Toronto FC for the first time, as well as a quality First Division side in the Charleston Battery." The Carolina Challenge Cup is an annual pre-season invitation tournament
hosted by the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium. Each team plays
the other over the course of the three match days with each day featuring
a double-header. The Houston Dynamo won the tournament in 2006 and in
2005 (competing as the San Jose Earthquakes); MLS’s Columbus Crew
won the inaugural competition in 2004. Houston Dynamo Houston’s success in 2006 was due in part to the success of its strike force particularly US national team forward Brian Ching and Canadian national team midfielder / forward Dwayne DeRosario. The pair combined for 22 goals and 7 assists with Ching heading home the crucial tieing goal that sent MLS Cup to PK’s. Houston is led by head coach Dominick Kinnear; Kinnear guided Houston to its first Championship after two excellent season with the then San Jose Earthquakes in 2004 & 2005. Kinnear was named MLS Coach of the Year following the 2005 campaign that saw the Quakes claim the4 Supporters Shield trophy with the best regular season record. Red Bull New York As head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team from 1998-2006, Arena coached more games (130) and compiled more wins (71) than any other coach in the history of the team (71-30-29 record overall, .658 winning percentage). He guided the U.S. team to an historic quarterfinal finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup (8th overall), highlighted by victories over Portugal and Mexico. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Arena coached the team to a 1-1 tie with eventual champion Italy despite playing with nine men for the majority of the second half. It was the only game Italy did not win in the entire tournament. Red Bull New York recently traded former MLS MVP Amado Guevara to Chivas USA for a third-round draft pick and a second "designated player" slot allowing New York the opportunity to sign two high profile players in 2007. Toronto FC Prior to joining MLS, Johnston played in Scotland, England and France. He was a member of three Scottish Premier Division clubs (Celtic, Rangers, and Hearts), two in the English Premier Division (Everton and Watford), and one in the French Premier (Nantes). He is known internationally for his time with Rangers, leading them to consecutive Scottish Premier League titles from 1989-91. Top of PageOsiander Named as 12th Chyzowich Award Recipient Long-time coach and educator Lothar Osiander has been selected as the recpient of the 2007 Walt Chzyowich Award, which is presented annually to recognize and give thanks for a person's lifetime of dedication to preserving the spirit of the game of soccer, advancing its level of play and promoting its growth and development among youth and adults nationwide. A member of the 1966 University of San Francisco NCAA national championship team, Osiander joined the U.S. Soccer coaching staff in 1974 upon completion of his "A" coaching license. He soon found himself traveling the country with Walt Chyzowich and a select group of others, spreading the gospel of soccer as part of a teaching career that would span the next 30 years. There are legions of current coaches who remember his extraordinary dribbling skills and ability to demonstrate moves and feints while students of his. Despite limited formal training, Osiander was quickly recognized as a valuable team coach. He was named coach of the West team for the inaugural National Sports Festival in 1978 and held that position for the next 10 years. His success, coupled with the camaraderie he developed with the top players of the day, led Chyzowych to appoint Osiander National and Olympic Team coach. He led the U.S. Olympic Team to a gold medal at the 1991 Pan American Games in Cuba. He also guided the National Team to its first victory in Mexico in 1992. Osiander, who won the 1992 and 1994 U.S. Open Cup with the San Francisco Greek Americans, was hired by the Atlanta Ruckus of the A-League. He was named the league's Coach of the Year in 1995 after leading the Ruckus to a national runner-up finish. Major League Soccer took notice of Osiander's successes, hiring him as the Los Angeles Galaxy coach in the league's inaugural season in 1996. Under his tutelage, the Galaxy earned a berth in the 1996 MLS Cup. Later, Osiander continued his player development role as he was named MLS Project 40 coach, helping prepare an aspiring group of players to rapidly accelerate to the next level. In 2003 Osiander turned his attention to the U-16 and U-17 boys teams of Ballistic United and won several championships with these teams. Today, he is coach of San Ramon United, a U-17 boys team. As the 12th recipient of the award, Osiander joins a list of outstanding soccer personalities who are prior recipients: Jerry Yeagley (1996), Anson Dorrance (1997), Bill Killen (1998), Joe Morrone (1999), Bob Gansler (2000), John McKeon (2001), Mel Lorback (2002), Bruce Arena (2003), Tom Fleck (2004), Joe Machnik (2005) and Nickola Zlatar (2006). Osiander will be honored at the the 2007 Walt Chyzowych Memorial Fund and Ceremony on Saturday, Jan., 13, 2007, in Indianapolis, Ind., in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) Annual Convention. The Walt Chyzowych Memorial Fund has been organized to support programs and persons aspiring to the principles of life and sport as espoused and exemplified by Walt Chyzowych. The fund is a tax-exempt 509(a)(1) organization. For further information and donations contact: Ralph Lundy (843-478-0214) Top of PageBattery Advances To Semifinals Stephen Armstrong drilled home a free kick in the 53rd minute to lift Charleston to a 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico Sunday night, 3-2 on aggregate in the series, at Jaun Ramon Loubriel Stadium. The game was the second of a First Round playoff series. With the win the Battery advance to take on the Rochester Raging Rhinos in a two-game semifinal series next weekend. Montreal will take on Vancouver in the other semifinal. “Stephen's goal was world-class and if it was up to me I would put it forward for FIFA goal of the year in 2006,” said head coach Mike Anhaeuser. “All the boys put forth a tremendous team effort and to come to Puerto Rico and win in front of 8,000 screaming fans is something they can be proud of.” Charleston created the first chance of the game in the 54th minute as Stephen Armstrong set the ball back to Lazo Alavanja from a free kick. Alavanja hammered a first-time shot at the goal but his effort rose just high. The Battery pressed again in the 17th minute as midfielder Ian Fuller joined the attack and found some space twenty yards out. Fuller hit a hard left-footed shot but Puerto Rico goalkeeper Dan Kennedy was well placed and dropped to make the save. The Battery’s best chance of the half came five minutes later after winger Luke Vercollone whipped a deep cross in from the left. Ian Fuller threw himself at the ball but his snap header glanced off the crossbar. Puerto Rico responded in the 29th minute as Andreas Barros-Schelotto swept a superb cross into the box. Forward Arturo Norambuena met the pass but his slip header sailed wide. Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock was forced into action late in the half as midfielder Noah Delgado found himself free at the edge of the penalty area. Delgado fired at the goal but Hudock managed to get his body in the way of the shot then grabbed the loose ball as it squirmed towards the goal. Armstrong’s winner came after Lazo Alavanja was pulled down twenty-five yards out earning Charleston a free kick. After a delay Armstrong hit a fierce drive with his left foot that screamed into the top left corner leaving Kennedy no chance to make a save. The Battery will travel to Rochester Friday for the first semifinal game at Paetek Park; kick off is set for 7:45 PM (CNN 1450AM). Charleston returns to Blackbaud Stadium on Sunday for the deciding game; kick off will be at 6 PM ($8 - $15, 971-4625). Top of PageNorth, South Split All-Star Games The 2006 CESA North-South Soccer Classic was held Saturday, June 17 at Furman University's Stone Soccer Stadium in Greenville, S.C. This annual event is coordinated through the efforts of the South Carolina High School Soccer Coaches Association and the title sponsor from 2005-09 will be the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy based out of Greenville. This was the first year that both the boys and girls games were held in the Upstate after Mount Pleasant was the host city from 1989-2005 for the boys match and from 2000-05 for the girls game. The first three All-Star games for the girls were held in Greer from 1997-99. The girls match was a one-sided affair as the North squad, coached by Gwynne Armstrong (J.L. Mann) and Chris Fryland (Lexington) rolled to a 7-0 victory vs. the South team. Forward Blakely Mattern of J.L. Mann led the North's team attack with a goal and three assists and Fort Mill's Danielle Schmitt collected a pair of goals in the most lopsided result ever in the Classic's history. Emerald's Erika Bishop, Riverside's Robin Putnam and Aiken's Ellie Victor also tallied goals and the trio of Jessica Binkley (Hillcrest), Liz Ostrander (Fort Mill), and Kelli Whitfield (T.L. Hanna) combined for the shutout. The 10-year series is now tied at 5-5-0 between the two sides and the North's victory was its first since 2003. GIRLS -- North 7-0 South FIRST HALF Team Captains (selected by teammates) -- North, Erika Bishop (Emerald) & Blakely Mattern (J.L. Mann); South, Meredith Calcina (Brookland-Cayce) & Sarah Catenacci (Wando). For more detailed information of the Girls match, visit this link for
the "MatchCast" -- The boys game was one of the most exciting All-Star matches the North-South Soccer Classic has produced as the South team, coached by Kevin Heise (Brookland-Cayce) and Ben Schoen (Waccamaw) rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to slip past the North squad, 3-2. South Aiken forward Jamal Geathers staked the Upstate representatives to 2-0 advantage in the first 15 minutes on assists from Greenville's Jack Johnston and Aiken's Schuyler Rearden at the 5:18 and 14:40 marks, respectively. Dreher goalkeeper George Rushe made two point-blank saves by Eastside's Kevin Ruck and South Aiken's Branson Hyatt midway through the first half to keep the scoreline from getting any larger. However, the South team seemed to find itself during intermission as Ridge View's Kyle Hughes connected on the first of his two scores at the 67:30 mark when Irmo's Zach Prince found the striker at the top of the box and Hughes rocketed the ball into the back of the net. Three minutes later it was Hughes again, who launched onto a rebounded pass from James Island's J.T. Walters to tie the score at 2-2. Moments later, an apparent goal by the North squad was wiped away due to an offsides call and with 10 minutes to play the match remained tied. Then, with just under 1 1/2 minutes remaining, Prince went through on a well played ball but was brought down by Lexington goalkeeper Ty Osborne, who was cautioned and the South team was awarded a penalty kick. Prince calmly stepped to the penalty spot and whipped the ball into the left side of the goal for the game-winning score. The victory was the second-straight for the South squad, which trails the 18-year series, 10-6-2. BOYS -- South 3-2 North FIRST HALF Team Captains (selected by teammates) -- North, Ty Osborne (Lexington) & Schuyler Rearden (Aiken); South, Kyle Hughes (Ridge View) & Kevin Ros (Brookland-Cayce). For more detailed information of the Boys match, visit this link for
the "MatchCast" -- Top of PageRohan Naraine Named Coastal Head Women's Soccer Coach CONWAY, S.C. - Coastal Carolina University has named Rohan Naraine as its new head women's soccer coach, effective immediately, CCU Director of Athletics Warren "Moose" Koegel announced today. He has served as the interim head coach since Karrie Miller's contract was not renewed in January. "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be named head coach," Naraine said. "It's an exciting time for this program, as I want to take it to the next level. Our goal is to compete for the conference championship and it's special this year because this year's tournament is at Coastal. I think we have a good recruiting class coming in along with our returners for next season. The ladies have been working real hard this spring, and I think we're on the right track to compete for the conference crown." Naraine is very familiar with CCU women's soccer, having served as an assistant coach during the 2002 and 2005 seasons. Last season, he helped the Lady Chanticleers win a school-record 13 games, with the squad leading the Big South in goals (52), assists (43) and points (147) along with four All-Big South Team honorees, including the Freshman of the Year in Blair Monroe. During the 2002 season, Naraine helped the Lady Chants to their first winning season in school history and helped bring in a recruiting class that would be part of a Big South regular season championship in 2003. Between his two stints at Coastal, Naraine spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons as the head women’s soccer coach at Southern University. Naraine was Southern’s first-ever head coach, and in the inaugural 2003 season, he led the Jaguars to a third-place finish in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and a 6-7 overall record. Naraine brings 20 years of coaching experience to the Lady Chants, coaching at the high school, collegiate and international levels. He spent four years as the head coach of Coker College’s women’s soccer program before his first stint at Coastal. Naraine is a native of Guyana, South America, and grew up in London, England. He lived in England for 10 years before moving to the United States at the age of 16. In America, Naraine played soccer at Theodore Roosevelt High in Washington, D.C. He was team captain of the 1980 State Championship team and was selected the Washington Post’s "Player of the Year." Naraine played collegiate soccer for nationally-ranked North Carolina Wesleyan College, helping lead the program to the NCAA Division III National Tournament in 1984. Naraine was the team captain and selected to the All-South Region teams in 1983 and 1984. His playing career ended in 1984 due to a knee injury, but he remained at NC Wesleyan as an assistant coach of the men’s and women’s programs during the 1985 and 1986 seasons. Prior to accepting the position at Coker in 1998, Naraine spent eight years at Beaufort Academy in Beaufort, S.C., where he served as Athletic Director and Head Coach of the boys’ and girls’ soccer programs. His teams won eight state championships and he was tabbed South Carolina’s Coach of the Year eight consecutive seasons. Naraine is a staff member of the men’s and women’s Guyana National Teams that compete in the CONCACAF region. In 1999, Naraine was chosen to the coaching staff of Guyana’s Men’s Olympic Soccer Team. He also is a state coach for the South Carolina Girl’s Soccer Olympic Development Program. Naraine holds a FIFA Olympic License along with his NSCAA National Coaching License. Naraine and his wife, Nalini, also a Guyana native, were married in 1995
in Guyana. They have a four-year old daughter, Nikki. Top of PageBen Hollingsworth beat Tony Meola
to give the host Charleston Battery a 1-0 victory over Red Bull New York
while Houston Dynamo DC United played to a 1-1 stalemate, leaving three
teams vying for the Cup title Saturday. DC and Houston are tied at four
points and the Battery, with three points, can win it with a victory over
DC and a Dynamo loss. In the second game DC United tied 1-1 with the Houston Dynamo. The week-long Challenge Cup series began with the Battery dropping a 1-0 decision to Hoston and D.C. United edging the Red Bulls by the same score. Battery forward Ben Hollingsworth put the home side on the scoresheet in the 14th minute after running through the Red Bulls' three-man back line and side-footing the ball past a closing Tony Meola. Meola did manage to get a piece of the ball with his right foot, but it wasn't enough to push the it wide. Johnston came into the game hoping for positive results from his three-man back line experiment. Things didn't turn out the way he had hoped. "We got bit playing three in the back tonight," Johnston said. "That's all there is to it." But it wasn't only the defense that let the Red Bulls down. The absence of any continuity in the New York midfield resulted with both Youri Djorkeaff and running mate Eddie Gaven having to drop deep into the midfield to collect the ball, which made the bunkering tactic the Battery employed for most of the match almost unnecessary until the final 20 minutes of the match. "We gave up an easy goal and then we couldn't respond," Johnson said. "It's a problem we are going to have to address before the season begins." With less than a half hour remaining, and the urgency to equalize building, New York did begin to put some pressure on the Battery. But with all 11 players behind the ball, Charleston withstood the Red Bulls half-hearted effort at equalizing. In the 62nd minute Amado Guevara nearly equalized off a superbly taken free kick from just right of the goal, 22 yards out. He looped the ball over the outside of the Battery wall, but a diving Battery goalkeeper Kieth Wiggins made a spectacular save, diving to his left and tipping the ball to safety. Ten minutes later Djorkeaff got on the end of a well-driven cross from Seth Stammler from just inside the right touchline, slamming the ball into the roof of the net. However, the Battery's offside trap left the Frenchman clearly offside, negating the goal. The loss is New York's second in consecutive outings versus Charleston at Blackbaud. In 2004 the Battery knocked the Red Bulls out of the fourth round of the US Open Cup by the same 1-0 score. Houston opened the scoring in the 28th minute when the ball was whipped into the box from a corner-kick which United failed to clear properly. Forward Alejandro Moreno reacted first and slotted home a low shot from six-yards out. Three minutes later DC United leveled the score after Jaime Moreno was brought down in the box by Houston goalkeeper Zach Wells. Moreno took the ensuing penalty himself, sending Wells the wrong way to tie the game. Sometimes, the beautiful thing about preseason games is that the rules don't always apply. A scrap between DC United and Houston Dynamo in Wednesday's second game in the Carolina Challenge Cup saw Houston's Dwayne De Rosario and Ricardo Clark both sent off with a little more than 10 minutes to play in the first half. With no players from DC having been sent off and the score level at 1-1, Houston would have been in for a long night at a two-man disadvantage. But it being preseason and all, both teams agreed to play the second half at full strength before they settled for a 1-1 draw. "Playing 11 on 11 was the most important thing for us tonight," said United head coach Peter Nowak of the halftime decision between the coaches. "We both know how important it is to give the guys minutes. We're still in preseason. There was no advantage to playing two players up." "There was a foul and both teams came in to protect their players. Those things happen," said John Wilson, who received a caution in the incident . "I don't think there are any hard feelings." The second half saw a good number of substitutions by both sides, which detracted from the flow of the game and slowed the pace. It did, however, give both coaches a look at several players who had not yet seen any time in the tournament. "We still need to find a rhythm," said Nowak. "Hopefully in the game on Saturday we can find a good rhythm that we can take into the season." Houston faces the New York Red Bulls on Saturday to close the tournament at 6 pm, followed by DC and tournament hosts Charleston Battery. DC and Houston share the lead in the round-robin tournament with one win and one draw each, but Charleston can win the Cup with a win and a Houston loss. Top of PageCarolina Challenge Cup Returns The Charleston Battery thought the San Jose Earthquakes
were coming to town in March, but instead the franchise that has moved
to Houston will take the field at Blackbaud wearing new uniforms and playing
under a new name. Top of PageThe Charleston Battery has signed goalkeeper Dusty Hudock for the 2006 & 2007 USL First Division seasons. Hudock returns to Charleston after spending the 2005 campaign with the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Hudock played six seasons for the Charleston Battery (1999 – 2004) and was a member of Charleston’s 2003 USL First Division Championship winning team. Hudock has twice been named USL First Division Goalkeeper of the Year (1997 & 2002). "We were able to negotiate Dusty’s rights from Rochester which allowed us to talk to him and I’m pleased that we could agree to terms,” said Batter head coach Mike Anhaeuser. “It is great to get Dusty back on board. Over the years he has been one of the best goalkeepers in the league and his experience and ability should prove beneficial to our success in this season and beyond ." Hudock, 33, is the all-time leading goalkeeper for the Charleston Battery with 97 wins and a GAA of 1.07. He has recorded 62 shutouts and started 177 games, both all-time Battery goalkeeper records. His 177 games started ranks second all-time for the Battery. Hudock's individual honors include: Charleston Battery MVP (2002, 2003, 2004), Charleston Battery Defender of the Year (2001, 2002), and USL First Division Goalkeeper of the Year (1997, 2002). A native of Phoenix, AZ, Hudock was a key figure in the Battery's 2003 championship campaign recording vital shutouts in both Eastern Conference Championship games versus the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Hudock also recorded a shutout in the USL First Division Championship game as the Battery defeated the Minnesota Thunder by a score of three goals to none. Hudock started his pro career with the Seattle Sounders in 1994. Before turning pro, Hudock was a two-time All American at the University of Washington in 1992 and 1993 and led the nation in GAA in 1992. In addition to his playing duties, Hudock will assist with the Charleston Battery Youth Soccer programs as the goalkeeper trainer. The Charleston Battery offers a full calendar of youth soccer programs with summer camps, weekly academy, after-school camps and soccer tournaments. Charleston Battery players signed so far: Lazo Alavanja, Gabe Bernstein, Ben Hollingsworth, Dusty Hudock, Tim Karalexis, Troy Lesesne, Alon Lubezky, Jesus Martinez, Ugo Okoye, Andres Perez, Jeremie Piette & Usiel Vasquez. Top of PageNewberry Star To Play For Mexico Newberry College women's soccer player Inga Woiwode (El Paso, Texas) has recently been selected to compete as a member of the U-20 Mexican national soccer team. Woiwode has been a part of the U-19 Mexican national team the past two years, during which time she helped the team qualify for the U-19 World Cup. Woiwode, a sophomore forward for the Lady Indians, was one of just 30 athletes to be selected to this elite squad. Other U.S. colleges with representatives include the University of Notre Dame, Arizona State University, Cerritos College, and Ventura College. "We (coaches and teammates) are very excited for Inga," stated Newberry head coach Juan Pablo Favero. "This experience is a tremendous opportunity for her and her growth as a player." Currently, the team is in preparation for the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) U-20 Women's World Cup Qualifying Final Round, which is set to take place in Veracruz, Mexico this month. Mexico will face Panama on January 18, Trinidad & Tobago on January 20, Canada on January 22, with the semifinals and finals to take place on January 25 and 27, respectively. Three teams from the final qualifier will move on to the U-20 Women's World Cup, which will be played in Russia on August 16 - September 2. Woiwode has been training since December and is "an integral part of the team," as stated by Gerardo Lepe Villarreal, manager of the Mexican national soccer teams. Although born in the U.S., Woiwode's mother is originally from Mexico, making her eligible to compete at the national level. "Our hope is that she and her team do well in this competition and that this be a beneficial experience for her," concluded Favero. "We also hope that this opportunity will be able to help her continue to improve and develop as a player, as well as hone her leadership skills as she works to become an even more complete and dangerous player." |
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