Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery welcomes the Portland Timbers to Blackbaud Stadium Saturday night for a USL First Division match; kick off is set for 7:30 PM. The Battery and the Timbers are both battling for the 6th and final playoff spot, Portland enters the game in 7th position in the USL First Division the Battery is back in 9th spot.

This is the second game of the season between the two clubs. On May 12 the Timbers defeated the Battery 1-0 in a game played in Portland; forward Fadi Afash scored the lone goal in the 89th minute.

Saturday's game marks the return to Blackbaud Stadium of Charleston Battery all time leading goal scorer Paul Conway; Conway joined the Timbers early in the 2005 season. Conway played seven seasons with Charleston and was a member of the 2003 USL First Division Championship winning team; his career totals with the Battery include 91 goals with 34 assists in 194 games played.

The Battery will be without midfielder Ugo Okoye for Saturday’s game. Okoye is serving the second of a two-game suspension for point’s accumulation.

The Timbers are led by 2004 Coach of the Year Bobby Howe who guided Portland to the 2004 regular season championship. Howe played 11 years with the EPL’s West Ham United and has been active in US Soccer since 1977.

Soccer ball giveaway night
It's Soccer Ball Giveaway Night at Blackbaud Stadium this Saturday presented by Home Telecom and LOTTO Italian Sport design; the first 1000 children 12 or under will receive a free custom LOTTO soccer ball valued at $22.

There will be size 4 and size 5 balls available at the Charleston Battery turnstiles; the balls will be distributed to children as they enter the stadium. Gates open at 6:30 PM Saturday night with kick off set for 7:30 PM. Tickets are priced at $8 - $15 to purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

Ben Hollingsworth named to USL First Division Team of the Week
Charleston Battery rookie Ben Hollingsworth has been named to the USL First Division team of the week following his goal in last Saturday’s 1-1 tie with the Richmond Kickers. Hollingsworth connected on a rebound in the first half; it was his third goal of the season.

A native of Mt Pleasant SC, Hollingsworth was a stand-out at the College of Charleston before joining the Battery.

Andrew Bell
Director of Media & PR
Charleston Battery
(843) 971-4625 x 210
(843) 670-2408