Tournament will feature DC, RSL and Toronto in 2009
Charleston Battery News Release – www.charlestonbattery.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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.
Charleston Battery head coach, Mike Anhaeuser,
“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. 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
The match versus DC United gives the Charleston Battery an opportunity to reverse the result from last year’s Cup Final. The Open Cup win capped a mixed season for United who just missed the MLS playoffs and also suffered an early exit from the CONCACAF Champions League. However the U.S. Open Cup victory guarantees DC entry into the 2009 Champions League tournament.
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
Despite a second stellar season at the turnstiles that saw anther 15 consecutive sell-outs Toronto F.C. missed the MLS post-season finishing in 7th position in the Eastern Standings albeit just four points outside the playoffs.
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
Real Salt Lake makes a first ever visit to Charleston for this year’s Carolina Challenge Cup; the tournament will also mark the first time that RSL has squared off against the Charleston Battery. Real Salt Lake joined MLS in 2005 as the leagues 12th team, last summer RSL celebrated its third season with the opening of a new soccer-specific facility, Rio Tinto Stadium.
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
Tickets for the 2009 Carolina Challenge Cup are on sale now with prices frozen at 2008 levels. Fans can purchase tickets for each doubleheader or for the six match series. Tickets for single doubleheaders (includes two games) are priced at $25 Club / Box & just $15 bleacher. For more information visit www.charlestonbattery.com
Carolina Challenge Cup past participants and winners
2004
Charleston Battery (USL1)
Columbus Crew (MLS) – champion
DC United (MLS)
Wilmington Hammerheads (USL2)
2005
Charleston Battery (USL1)
Columbus Crew (MLS)
DC United (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – champion
2006
Charleston Battery (USL1)
DC United (MLS)
Houston Dynamo (MLS) – champion
MetroStars (MLS)
2007
Charleston Battery (USL1)
Houston Dynamo (MLS) – champion
New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Toronto FC (MLS)
2008
Charleston Battery (USL1)
New York Red Bulls (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – champion
Toronto FC (MLS)
Charleston Battery News Release – www.charlestonbattery.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
CHARLESTON, SC — The Charleston Battery has agreed to terms with defender Frankie Sanfilippo for the 2009-2011 seasons. Sanfilippo 5-10, 165lbs., 27 yrs., joins the Battery after spending the last two years with the USL First Division Carolina RailHawks. Sanfilippo served as club captain with the RailHawks, previous clubs include the Rochester Rhinos and the Syracuse Salty Dogs. Sanfilippo joins pending USSF approval.
Charleston Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser,
“Frankie is a consummate professional and leader and should help in stabilizing our back-line in 2009. He has proven to be one of the best defenders in the league over the past few years and we are very excited to have him join the Battery in Charleston.”
A native of San Diego, CA, Sanfilippo was originally drafted by Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes. In 2004 he joined the USL First Division Syracuse Salty Dogs and played 25 games under then head coach, Laurie Calloway.
In 2005 Calloway took over as head coach in Rochester, NY and took Sanfilippo with him to the Rhinos where he played 53 games, scoring one goal in two seasons. In 2006 Sanfilippo was a member of the Rhinos side that lost in the Championship game to Vancouver, he also was selected to the USL All-Star team.
In 2007 Sanfilippo joined the expansion Carolina RailHawks; he played 51 games for Carolina scoring one goal and was named club captain. During his time with the RailHawks Sanfilippo never lost a game versus the Charleston Battery. Prior to turning pro Sanfilippo attended San Jose State University where he studied Criminology.
