Charleston, SC (July 17, 2008) — The Charleston Battery plays its fifth match of a five-game home stand when it hosts the Portland Timbers on Saturday, July 19, at Blackbaud Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM, with gates opening at 6:30 PM ($8 - $15, 971-GOAL (4625) / www.charlestonbattery.com).

 The Battery has had a week to reflect on Saturday’s tough 3-1 home defeat by the Puerto Rico Islanders. The hosts had taken a 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to a Lazo Alavanja goal—his third in three matches—but the Islanders responded with three late strikes to hand Charleston its first home loss since May 28.

 “We’ve been preparing all week for what should be a great match-up Saturday night,” Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser said. “The Timbers are a solid and dangerous team.”

 Despite last week’s loss, the Battery (8-4-3, 27 points) remains top of the USL First Division, holding a three-point advantage over the Vancouver Whitecaps (7-4-3, 24 points) and the Islanders (7-5-3, 24 points). Forward Randi Patterson leads the team with seven goals this season, with Aaron King and Alavanja pitching in with four and three strikes respectively. The goals, coupled with a stingy defense, means Charleston holds the league’s best goal differential, outscoring its opponents 21-14 this season.

 During the month-long home stand, the Battery also charged into the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the third time in its history—the most appearances in that round by any USL club. The Seattle Sounders will visit Blackbaud Stadium on Aug. 12 for the final-four fixture.

 This Saturday’s game is the Battery’s first of three regular-season fixtures against the Timbers (5-6-6, 21 points, fifth place), with road games atPortland’s PGE Park coming up on Aug. 9 and Sept. 11. Last year the Battery went 1-1 against the Timbers, with both sides winning their home fixture.

 The Timbers, who finished an excellent 2007 regular season in second place before falling in the semifinals of the USL-1 playoffs, will come into this Saturday’s game having played the Atlanta Silverbacks the previous night.

 On Tuesday the Timbers knocked off Mexican Primera team U.N.A.L Tigres 2-0 in an exhibition game in which former Battery forward Byron Alvarez scored and assisted as a guest player.

 Last week Portland fell 2-0 at home to the Islanders in a regular-season match. The club is struggling through a mid-season slump that has seen them go 1-1-3 in the past five outings, during which time the Timbers were also ousted from the US Open Cup in the first round.

 TIGHT AT THE TOP

Only six points separate the first-place Battery and the fifth-place Timbers. With a victory Friday, the Timbers would move within a game of theBattery in the league standings. The Whitecaps, who share second place with the Islanders, are three points behind the Battery having played one game less. The Battery takes on the Whitecaps in a top-of-the table clash in Vancouver on July 21, and plays its next home game against the Whitecaps on Aug 3.

 MALLIOT JAUNE

This Saturday is the Charleston Battery’s annual Tour de France celebration night, with a special bicycle race at half time. Fans can enjoy $2 drafts in the Bud Light Beer Garden until kickoff.

 THIS WEEK

WHAT: Portland Timbers at Charleston Battery, USL First Division soccer.

WHEN: July 19, 2008. 7:30 PM kickoff. Gates open at 6:30 PM.

WHERE: Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island.

TICKETS: $8 - $15, (843) 971-GOAL / www.charlestonbattery.com.

NEXT HOME GAME

WHAT: Vancouver Whitecaps at Charleston Battery, USL First Division soccer.

WHEN: Aug. 3, 2008. 7:30 PM kickoff. Gates open at 6:30 PM.

WHERE: Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island.

TICKETS: $8 - $15, (843) 971-GOAL / www.charlestonbattery.com.

Title:


Comment:


Your Name: (optional - shown on website)

Enter text seen above:

---

0 comment(s) found!