#2 Charleston Battery vs. #1 Portland Timbers – Friday 8/28

It’s late in the 2009 United Soccer League (USL) season but the Charleston Battery are still fighting their way to the top of the league. The team has had a successful season so far and is currently tied for second place with the Carolina Railhawks. And, this Friday night (8/28), the Battery will have their chance to take on the current leader in the league, the Portland Timbers, in a match that will be broadcast on the Fox Soccer Channel and Livesoccertv.com.

The Charleston Battery has a total of 45 points for the season, only 6 points behind the Portland Timbers with 51. Portland lost their first game of the season but has since remained unbeaten in an impressive 23 game winning streak. In their last match against the Timbers on June 13, the Battery came close to breaking the team’s streak but Portland tied the match with three minutes left. If the Battery is successful in beating the league’s number one team on Friday then they would be within three points of the Timbers. The top seven teams advance to the playoffs and the top seeded team receives a bye into the semifinal round.

The gates of Blackbaud Stadium will open at 6:30 pm and kick off is at 8:00 pm on Friday, August 28. The first 500 children will receive a soccer ball courtesy of Piggly Wiggle. And Five Guys Burgers & Fries will be on hand, serving up their delicious burgers and fries! The Three Lions Pub, a traditional English-style pub, will be open for its members and guests, who can also socialize with Battery coaches and players after each home game. Tickets range between $5 – $15 and can be purchased by calling (843) 971-GOAL or visiting www.charlestonbattery.com.

COME OUT TO BLACKBAUD STADIUM & HELP CHEER ON THE BATTERY!

See the video below of highlights from the 2008 US Open Cup Final, Charleston Battery vs. DC United (W).

Pre-Season Professional Soccer Returns

Soccer fans don’t have to wait much longer for the season to begin. Major League Soccer makes a pre-season return to the Lowcountry March 7-14 as the Charleston Battery hosts the sixth annual Carolina Challenge Cup at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island. The 2009 pre-season tournament features Major League Soccer’s DC United, Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake, plus the USL First Division Charleston Battery.

This is the premier pre-season soccer tournament in the United States, offering Charleston residents and visitors a chance to see the very best players up close and personal.

The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, March 7 Real Salt Lake vs DC United 5:00 PM
Saturday, March 7 Charleston Battery vs Toronto FC 7:15 PM

Wednesday, March 11 DC United vs Toronto FC 5:00 PM
Wednesday, March 11 Charleston Battery vs Real Salt Lake 7:15 PM

Saturday, March 14 Real Salt Lake vs Toronto FC 5:00 PM
Saturday, March 14 Charleston Battery vs DC United 7:15 PM

Ticket are on sale now and available through the Charleston Battery. Visit www.charlestonbattery.com for details.

Battery Announces 2009 Schedule

The Charleston Battery’s 2009 regular season schedule opens on the road on April 11 when they team up against the 2008 USL First Division Champions, the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Battery returns home to Daniel Island’s Blackbaud Stadium the following weekend for a match against the Montreal Impact. If you haven’t attended a Battery soccer match on Daniel Island, you’re missing out – it’s great fun for the entire family! Here’s the home schedule for the regular season:

Saturday, April 18 vs. Montreal Impact 7:30 PM
Friday, April 24 vs. Minnesota Thunder 7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 20 vs. Miami FC Blues 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 23 vs. Rochester Rhinos 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 30 vs. Cleveland City Stars 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 13 vs. Portland Timbers 7:30 PM
Thursday, June 25 vs. Puerto Rico Islanders 8:00 PM
Saturday, July 11 vs. Carolina RailHawks 7:30 PM
Friday, July 24 vs. Carolina RailHawks 7:30 PM
Thursday, July 30 vs. Austin Aztex 7:30 PM
Tuesday, August 11 vs. Cleveland City Stars 7:30 PM
Thursday, August 20 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 7:30 PM
Friday, August 28 vs. Portland Timbers 8:00 PM
Sunday, September 6 vs. Minnesota Thunder 6:00 PM
Friday, September 11 vs. Miami FC Blues 8:00 PM

Season ticket packages are on sale now; packages include reserved seating for all 15 regular season games, starting at only $150. To purchase season or home game tickets call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.