The Montreal Impact has acquired the rights to the Charleston Battery's Canadian international midfielder Tyler Hemming. Terms of the acquisition include Montreal sending young midfielder Pierre-Rudolph Mayard to Charleston on a season long loan, pending USSF approval.

'Pierre-Rudolph is a left-sided player with good pace and qualities and we have high expectations that he will make a positive contribution to our 2010 squad,' said Charleston Battery head coach, Mike Anhaeuser. 'He has represented Canada at the youth levels and hopefully will continue to grow as a professional.'

Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, 6-0, 170 lbs., 21 yrs., is a product of the Montreal Impact development system.

The Laval, Quebec native played two seasons for the Impact's Canadian Soccer League side the Trois-Rivières Attak winning the Open Canada Cup in 2007 and finishing as runner-up in the CSL in 2008.

Mayard signed with the Montreal Impact in 2009.Mayard has represented Canada at the U15 – U20 levels.

Hemming, a 24 year-old Ontarian midfielder, played for the Charleston Battery in 2009. He tallied three assists in 26 matches, for a total of 2,066 minutes and also made his senior debut for Canada in an early summer friendly against Cyprus with the senior team.

The Charleston Battery kicks off its 18th season with a pre-season tournament featuring Major League Soccer champions Real Salt Lake March 13 – 20 at Blackbaud Stadium. DC United and Toronto FC also make return visits to the round-robin tournament.

It will be DC's fifth appearance in the Carolina Challenge Cup and Toronto's fourth. All three MLS teams will spend the week in Charleston training between the games as they prepare for the start of the Major League Soccer season.

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.

Charleston Battery season tickets are on sale now with packages starting at just $150.