Charleston, SC.The 2005 Carolina Challenge Cup kicks off this Saturday, March 19 with a pair of exciting tournament matches. The Charleston Battery opens its 2005 pre-season at 6 PM vs. last years Carolina Challenge Cup Champions the Columbus Crew; then at 8:15 PM the main event features the defending National Champions, DC United in a marquee match-up versus the 2003 MLS Cup Champions, the San Jose Earthquakes.

DC United arrives in Charleston on the back of an impressive 2-1 win over Jamaican outfit Harbor View F.C. in a quarter-final CONCACAF Champions' Cup match. United came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory Wednesday night in a match played in Kingston, Jamaica. With the win DC advances to the semi-final stage of the competition.

Major League Soccer's 2005 season is literally just around the corner with all three teams scheduled to play on Saturday, April 2. DC United opens the defense of its title on the road vs. expansion side, Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, CA.

Charleston Battery
The Charleston Battery squad has been together for just over a week and these games will provide a good test for the Battery as they look towards their April 23 regular season home opener vs. the Atlanta Silverbacks. New faces on the Battery roster include local products, Troy Lesesne, Ben Hollingsworth and Drew Cavanagh who were all part of the College of Charleston's successful 2004 Men's soccer program.

The games this weekend mark the debut of new Charleston Battery Head Coach, Mike Anhaeuser who takes over at the helm for the 2005 season. Anhaeuser won a National Championship with IU in 1988, with the Battery as a player in 1996 and with the Battery as a coach in 2003.

The back-line features veteran defender, Alan Woods who returns to the Battery after a four year hiatus that saw him play for the New England Revolution (2001) and the Atlanta Silverbacks (2002, 2003 & 2004). Woods will be joined by Nigel Henry who returns for a second season with the Battery and Tim Karalexis who comes to Charleston from USL Second Division side, the Wilmington Hammerheads.

The midfield will include returning players Kevin Jackson, Chris Goos and Josh Smith as well as new signing, Nigerian Ugo Okoye.

Leading the forward line this year will be veteran striker Greg Simmonds who also returns for his second season with Charleston. Paraguay forward Jesus Martinez is another player back for a second year.

Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew won the inaugural Carolina Challenge Cup in March 2004 and return this year to defend their title. The Crew followed up their success in the Carolina Challenge Cup with an exceptional season that saw them win the Supporters' Shield (best regular-season record) and also saw Head Coach Greg Andrulis named MLS Coach of the Year. The Crew ended the season on an MLS record 18 game unbeaten streak.

The Crew bowed out of the 2004 MLS playoffs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 2-1 aggregate score loss to the New England Revolution. Columbus is the only MLS side in this season's Carolina Challenge Cup that has not won an MLS Cup but in 2002 the Crew did win the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

D.C. United
D.C. United capped an exceptional 2004 campaign with its fourth MLS Cup victory last November. DC defeated the Kansas City Wizards by a score of three goals to two to claim MLS Cup 2004; it was DC's first title since 1999.

United acquired soccer's hottest young prospect prior to the start of the 2004 season, selecting Freddy Adu with the first overall pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. Adu featured heavily for United in 2004 playing 30 games, scoring 5 goals with 3 assists. By playing in MLS Cup 2004 at just fifteen years of age Adu became the youngest player ever to win a championship in a major U.S. professional team sport.

San Jose Earthquakes
This is the first ever visit to Charleston by the 2001and 2003 MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes. The Earthquakes advanced to the 2004 MLS playoffs but fell 3-2 to the eventual runners-up, the Kansas City Wizards in the Western Conference Semifinals.

The Earthquakes roster features two US Men's National team players, midfielder Brian Mullan and forward, Brian Ching. The 'Quakes also recently re-upped with Canadian Men’s National Team forward Dwayne DeRosario. San Jose's defense is anchored by Canadian Men's National Team goalkeeper and 2003 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Pat Onstad. San Jose also recently traded for former Furman stand-out, midfielder Ricardo Clarke.

2005 Carolina Challenge Cup Game Schedule
Saturday, March 19 Charleston Battery vs Columbus Crew 6:00 PM
Saturday, March 19 DC United vs San Jose Earthquakes 8:15 PM

Tuesday, March 22 Columbus Crew vs San Jose Earthquakes 6:00 PM
Tuesday, March 22 Charleston Battery vs DC United 8:15 PM
Friday, March 25 Charleston Battery vs San Jose Earthquakes 6:00 PM
Friday, March 25 DC United vs Columbus Crew 8:15 PM
All games played at Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island.

Carolina Challenge Cup Tickets
Tickets for the 2005 Carolina Challenge Cup, March 19 - 25, featuring Major League Soccer's DC United, the Columbus Crew, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Charleston Battery are on sale now. 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 & $15 bleacher.

Series Tickets (includes all three double-headers)
Series Tickets - Club / Box $50 - Bleacher $35 - Season Ticket Holder Series Tickets - Club / Box $40

Group Discount - Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more please call (843) 971-4625.

For More Information, Contact:
Andrew Bell, Media Director.
(843) 971-GOAL
(843) 670-2408 (cell)
Fax – (843) 856-6958