Thursday, June 25, 2009, 8:00PM EDT
Fireworks & a free T-shirt for the first 500 children
Charleston Battery Newsrelease
Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery squares off against the Puerto Rico Islanders this Thursday night at Blackbaud Stadium in a nationally televised game with kick of set for 8 PM (gates 6:30 PM). The match is the third straight between the two USL-1 rivals; the Islanders defeated the Battery twice last weekend in Bayoman, Puerto Rico and in the process leap-frogged Charleston into first place in the USL-1 tables.
The Battery conceded a 90th minute goal in the first game against the Islanders played last Thursday night. Defender John Krause poked home the winner after collecting a rebound inside the six-yard box.
In the second match played on Saturday night the game was decided by a second-half strike from forward Nicholas Addlery who headed past goalkeeper Keith Wiggans in the 55th minute.
The two defeats were Charleston’s first of the season in all competitions. The Battery had posted a 14-game unbeaten run to start the season including two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup victories. Charleston remains unbeaten at Blackbaud Stadium heading into this week’s game.
Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser should have several more players available for selection Thursday with the return to fitness of midfielders Stephen Armstrong and Tsuyoshi Yoshitake. Ian Fuller will not be available for selection as he recovers from an injury sustained in the Battery’s 1-0 win versus Miami in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.
The Islanders have enjoyed tremendous success over the past 18 months advancing to the 2008 USL1 Championship game but losing 2-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Puerto Rico followed up their strong run in the league with an even more impressive run in the CONCACAF Champions League that saw them go all the way to the semifinals.
Puerto Rico is led by third year head coach Colin Clarke, a native of Northern Ireland who has previously coached the Richmond Kickers and Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas. Clarke is also the coach of the Puerto Rico men’s national team.
Tickets, Fireworks & a free T-shirt for the first 500 children
Tickets for this Thursday’s match versus the Puerto Rico Islanders are available starting at just $10; to purchase tickets, for directions or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com. The game will be broadcast live nationally on FOX Soccer Channel and immediately following the game there will be a spectacular FIREWORKS display.
The first 500 children through the turnstiles will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of avVenta and there is free admission for all military personnel and their families.
Battery mourns loss of Chief Operating Office Betsy McAdams
Charleston Battery Chief Operating Officer Betsy McAdams passed away last Thursday morning after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Betsy was an original employee of the Charleston Battery since it’s inception in 1993. The Charleston Battery will observe a moment of silence before Thursday’s match with the Puerto Rico Islanders in her honor.
