Charleston Battery
| File:Charleston Battery Logo.png | |||
| Full name | Charleston Battery | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Battery | ||
| Founded | 1993; 22 years ago | ||
| Ground | MUSC Health Stadium Charleston, South Carolina | ||
| Capacity | 5,113 | ||
| Owner | B Sports Entertainment[1] | ||
| Head Coach | Mike Anhaeuser | ||
| League | USL | ||
| 2015 | 3rd, Eastern Conference Playoffs: Conference Semifinals | ||
| Website | http://www.charlestonbattery.com | ||
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Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer club based in Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the United Soccer League and, along with the Richmond Kickers, is the oldest continuously operating professional soccer club in the United States.
Charleston is one of the more successful lower division soccer teams in the United States, having previously won the USISL Pro League in 1996, the USL A-League in 2003, and the final season of the USL Second Division in 2010.[2] In 2012, the team won the USL Pro Championship, winning its fourth title in club history. Charleston is also the most successful club in the history of the unofficial Southern Derby competition with five first-place finishes.
The club has played its home games at the soccer-specific MUSC Health Stadium in the Daniel Island section of Charleston since 1999. The team's colors are black and yellow, with a traditional red scheme for away uniforms. Since 2005, their head coach and general manager has been Mike Anhaeuser.
History
The Battery was formed in 1993 by an ownership group of local soccer enthusiasts led by Tony Bakker, a native of London who had relocated his software company Blackbaud to the Charleston area in 1989. The club hired experienced college coach and University of South Carolina graduate Tim Hankinson to develop the team, and the Battery started as a member of the USISL, which eventually evolved and came to be known as the USL in 1995. The Battery won their first league championship in 1996 under Portuguese manager Nuno Piteira, defeating the Charlotte Eagles 3–2 in the final. In 1997 Charleston became one of the original clubs of the newly branded A-League (later the USL First Division).
In 1999 the Battery moved into what is now known as MUSC Health Stadium, becoming the first non-Major League Soccer professional club in the United States to build its own stadium, and forged a reputation as one of the country's most well-established lower division clubs. The Battery hired veteran English coach Alan Dicks and signed many experienced domestic players such as Paul Conway, Dan Calichman and Eric Wynalda while also bringing in notable foreign signings such as Terry Phelan and Raul Diaz Arce. In 2001 Dicks was replaced by fellow Englishman Chris Ramsey, who led Charleston to the A-League championship in 2003 with a 3–0 victory in the final over Minnesota Thunder in Charleston. Following Ramsey's departure in 2004, the club promoted longtime player and assistant coach Mike Anhaeuser to be the club's new manager.
In 2008 the Battery reached the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final for the first time, playing against Major League Soccer team D.C. United at RFK Stadium.[3] In the final the Battery conceded an early goal but bounced back with a quick-fire equalizer through an Ian Fuller goal, assisted by Chris Williams. Later in the half Lazo Alavanja hit the post but at half time the scores were tied at 1–1. At the start of the second half Charleston conceded early again, but in the final seconds of extra time Marco Reda put the ball in the back of the net for Charleston, only to have his goal controversially disallowed as offside. D.C. United would go on to win the match 2–1. Charleston remain the most recent non-MLS club to play in the Open Cup final.
In 2010 Charleston was invited by several other USL clubs to join the breakaway league eventually known as the North American Soccer League, but the Battery chose to remain in the USL system and self-relegate to the USL Second Division, which eventually became the chief USL professional division. In their first third division season in 2010, Charleston led the league standings for the entire year and went undefeated at home. Charleston defeated the Richmond Kickers 2–1 in the final to claim the club's third league championship. Lamar Neagle was named the USL-2 league MVP and lead the league in scoring with 13 league goals.[4] Anhaeuser was named the league's manager of the year, his second time receiving the honor.[4] In 2012 the Battery won their fourth league title in club history, defeating local rivals Wilmington Hammerheads 1–0 in the final. Micheal Azira scored a 74th-minute winner after Jose Cuevas slipped a pass to him on the left side of the penalty area.
In recent years the Battery have been had a loan affiliation with several Major League Soccer clubs, beginning with a one-year deal to become the USL Pro affiliate of Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2014.[5] For the 2015 season, the Battery signed a one-year deal to affiliate with the Houston Dynamo.[6] On January 15, 2016, it was announced that the club would be partnering with the Atlanta United FC for the 2016 MLS season prior to Atlanta's entry to MLS in 2017.
In February 2016, it was announced that longtime owner Tony Bakker had sold the club to B Sports Entertainment, an investment group led by local tech executives.
Colors and badge
Charleston's traditional colors are yellow, black and red. The club badge is a classic shield in yellow and black featuring a pair of crossed artillery cannons (alluding to the city's naval history and prominent role in the American Civil War and American Revolution) above a depiction of a traditional-style soccer ball. In 2016 their away jersey changed from a traditional red to a bright yellow very similar to Manchester City 3rd Jersey.[7][8][9]
Stadiums
- Stoney Field; Charleston, South Carolina (1993–1998)
- MUSC Health Stadium (formerly Blackbaud Stadium); Daniel Island, South Carolina (1999–present)
The Battery played their first six seasons in downtown Charleston at Stoney Field, a facility they shared with various college and high school sports teams.
The club moved to MUSC Health Stadium (previously known as Blackbaud Stadium) in the suburban area of Daniel Island in 1999. The first privately funded soccer-specific stadium built in the United States, it seats 5,100 people.[10] MUSC Health Stadium is modeled on lower level English soccer grounds and features an on-site pub called The Three Lions behind the west stand. The stadium site also features a training field and the club's front office, and is adjacent to the headquarters of Blackbaud, a software company founded by club ownership.
Club culture
The Battery's official supporters' group is The Regiment, who stand in section E1 with other supporters' groups including the American Outlaws-affiliated Queen Anne's Revenge and the Spanish-speaking Charleston Barra Brava.
The Battery competes for the Coffee Pot Cup every time it faces their rival team D.C. United of Major League Soccer, a trophy established by the two sides' supporters and currently held by DC. The clubs have regularly faced each other in friendlies and cup competitions, with the 2008 US Open Cup final remaining the highest profile match between the two clubs to date. Charleston are also longtime league rivals of the Richmond Kickers, DC's minor league affiliate.
The team's games are broadcast on YouTube and local ESPN radio with play-by-play from club president Andrew Bell and commentary from former players Stephen Armstrong and Nelson Akwari.
Players and staff
Current roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad correct as of March 29, 2016.[11]
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Staff
Andrew Bell – President/Broadcaster
Mike Anhaeuser – Head Coach/General Manager- Dusty Hudock – Assistant Coach
- John Wilson – Assistant Coach
- Bobby Weisenberger – Head Athletic Trainer
- Clark Brisson – Academy Director
Notable former players
This list includes those former players who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left.
- See also: All-time Charleston Battery roster
- Nelson Akwari
Osvaldo Alonso- Mike Anhaeuser
- Lazo Alavanja
Stephen Armstrong
Khalil Azmi- Dan Calichman
- Ted Chronopoulos
- Paul Conway
Omar Daley
Raúl Díaz Arce- Linval Dixon
Colin Falvey- Ben Hollingsworth
- Dusty Hudock
- Lee Hurst
Gilbert Jean-Baptiste- Dane Kelly
John Limniatis- Lester More
- Lamar Neagle
Patrick Olalere- Bo Oshoniyi
Nicki Paterson- Terry Phelan
- Robert Rosario
Brent Sancho- Dean Sewell
- Nicky Spooner
- Temoc Suarez
- Mark Watson
- John Wilson
- Eric Wynalda
Velko Yotov- Paul Young
Head coaches
- Tim Hankinson (1993–1994)
Nuno Piteira (1995–1999)- Alan Dicks (1999–2001)
- Chris Ramsey (2001–2004)
- Mike Anhaeuser (2004–present)
Achievements
- USL A-League
- Champions (2): 1996*, 2003
- Atlantic Division Champions (2): 1995*, 2000
- Southeast Division Champions (2): 2002, 2003
- USL Second Division
- USL Pro
- Champions (1): 2012
- US Open Cup
- Runner Up (1): 2008
- Semifinals (2): 1999, 2004
- Quarterfinals (3): 2007, 2009, 2010
- Southern Derby
- Winner (5): 2003, 2005^, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015
as co-champions^
Record
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 1 | USISL | 5th, Atlantic | Play-in Game | Did not enter | |
| 1994 | 1 | USISL | 2nd, Atlantic | Semifinals | Did not enter | |
| 1995 | 1 | USISL Pro League | 1st, Atlantic | Divisional Semifinals | Did not qualify | |
| 1996 | 3 | USISL Pro League | 2nd, South Atlantic | Champions | Did not qualify | 1,467 |
| 1997 | 2 | USISL A-League | 4th, Atlantic | Division Finals | Did not qualify | 1,737 |
| 1998 | 2 | USISL A-League | 4th, Atlantic | Conference Quarterfinals | Did not qualify | 1,896 |
| 1999 | 2 | USL A-League | 3rd, Atlantic | Conference Quarterfinals | Semifinals | 3,542 |
| 2000 | 2 | USL A-League | 1st, Atlantic | Conference Semifinals | 2nd Round | 3,485 |
| 2001 | 2 | USL A-League | 2nd, Central | 1st Round | 3rd Round | 3,083 |
| 2002 | 2 | USL A-League | 1st, Southeast | Conference Semifinals | 3rd Round | 3,320 |
| 2003 | 2 | USL A-League | 1st, Southeast | Champions | Did not qualify | 3,969 |
| 2004 | 2 | USL A-League | 8th Eastern | Did not qualify | Semifinals | 3,715 |
| 2005 | 2 | USL First Division | 9th | Did not qualify | 2nd Round | 3,649 |
| 2006 | 2 | USL First Division | 3rd | Semifinals | 4th Round | 3,628 |
| 2007 | 2 | USL First Division | 10th | Did not qualify | Quarterfinals | 3,968 |
| 2008 | 2 | USL First Division | 5th | 1st Round | Runner Up | 3,991 |
| 2009 | 2 | USL First Division | 4th | 1st round | Quarterfinals | 3,534 |
| 2010 | 3 | USL Second Division | 1st | Champions | Quarterfinals | 3,641 |
| 2011 | 3 | USL | 4th, American | Division Semifinals | 2nd Round | 3,568 |
| 2012 | 3 | USL | 3rd | Champions | 3rd Round | 3,947 |
| 2013 | 3 | USL | 3rd | Semifinals | 4th Round | 3,554 |
| 2014 | 3 | USL | 5th | Quarterfinals | 3rd Round | 3,770 |
| 2015 | 3 | USL | 3rd, Eastern | Conference Semifinals | 4th Round | 4,080 |
Record vs. International and MLS teams
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Record: W:8–D:1–L:13
Carolina Challenge Cup Record: W:5–D:9–L:20
Exhibition Record: W:5–D:2–L:7
See also
- Battery Park
- Carolina Challenge Cup
- [1] Battery stuffs Sounders, Charleston Post and Courier Article
References
- ^ "Charleston Battery soccer team sold to B Sports Entertainment". Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". usl2.uslsoccer.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
- ^ http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/aug/Charleston defeated the Richmond Kickers 2–1 to claim the championship, the third in the history of the club. 13/battery_stuffs_sounders50669/
- ^ a b "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". usl2.uslsoccer.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
- ^ "Vancouver Whitecaps announce USL PRO affiliate agreement with Charleston Battery". Major League Soccer. January 23, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
- ^ "Battery, Dynamo sign 2015 deal". Charleston Battery. December 22, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ "Manchester City Third Jersey Sales".
- ^ Conover, Dan. "Charleston Battery v Orlando City B (April 2, 2016)".
- ^ Grady, Seamus. "Charleston Battery vs. Orlando City B, 2016 USL Season: Final Score 0-0, Road frustrations continue for Battery".
- ^ http://www.charlestonbattery.com/stadium_overview.asp
- ^ "Roster – Charleson Battery". Charleston Battery. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
External links
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