|
|
|
|
|
|
The 2007 MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo highlight the 2007 CCC tournament roster
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
12/27/2006 12:20:40 PM
Major League Soccer Champions Houston Dynamo return for 2007 Carolina Challenge Cup
Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery will host the fourth annual Carolina Challenge Cup March 24 - 31 at Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island. Current Major League Soccer champs the Houston Dynamo return for a second straight visit as does Red Bull New York, this season under the leadership of former US Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena. The third MLS side set to appear is the expansion franchise, Toronto FC who will play their first competitive games at Blackbaud Stadium during the pre-season tournament.
“The Carolina Challenge Cup will be our final preseason tune-up before our regular season begins,” said Red Bull New York Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “We are looking forward to seeing the Houston Dynamo and Toronto FC for the first time, as well as a quality First Division side in the Charleston Battery.”
The Carolina Challenge Cup is an annual pre-season invitation tournament hosted by the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium. Each team plays the other over the course of the three match days with each day featuring a double-header. The Houston Dynamo won the tournament in 2006 and in 2005 (competing as the San Jose Earthquakes); MLS’s Columbus Crew won the inaugural competition in 2004.
This will be the first Carolina Challenge Cup since MLS adopted its new designated player rule allowing MLS teams the ability to acquire players outside the $2 million-per-team salary cap; the rule is designed to draw high-profile stars to the league. Among those thought to be considered for a move to MLS are Ronaldo, David Beckham and former U.S. national team captain Claudio Reyna.
Houston Dynamo
Houston enjoyed a stellar season in 2006 highlighted by its first MLS Cup. The Dynamo scored a late goal to send the championship game versus the New England Revolution to PK’s then held its nerve to claim the trophy.
Houston’s success in 2006 was due in part to the success of its strike force particularly US national team forward Brian Ching and Canadian national team midfielder / forward Dwayne DeRosario. The pair combined for 22 goals and 7 assists with Ching heading home the crucial tieing goal that sent MLS Cup to PK’s.
Houston is led by head coach Dominick Kinnear; Kinnear guided Houston to its first Championship after two excellent season with the then San Jose Earthquakes in 2004 & 2005. Kinnear was named MLS Coach of the Year following the 2005 campaign that saw the Quakes claim the4 Supporters Shield trophy with the best regular season record.
Red Bull New York
Red Bull New York received a major boost midway through the season as former US Men’s national team coach Bruce Arena took over the helm of the flagship MLS franchise. Arena guided Red Bull to the playoffs but despite showing well versus DC United, New York were eliminated in the first round.
As head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team from 1998-2006, Arena coached more games (130) and compiled more wins (71) than any other coach in the history of the team (71-30-29 record overall, .658 winning percentage). He guided the U.S. team to an historic quarterfinal finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup (8th overall), highlighted by victories over Portugal and Mexico. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Arena coached the team to a 1-1 tie with eventual champion Italy despite playing with nine men for the majority of the second half. It was the only game Italy did not win in the entire tournament.
Red Bull New York recently traded former MLS MVP Amado Guevara to Chivas USA for a third-round draft pick and a second "designated player" slot allowing New York the opportunity to sign two high profile players in 2007.
Toronto FC
Toronto FC debuts in 2007 as MLS’s 13th team, and the first outside the US. Toronto is led by head coach Mo Johnston who previously coached Red Bull New York. Johnston is a ten year veteran of Major League Soccer serving four in a coaching capacity and six as a player.
Prior to joining MLS, Johnston played in Scotland, England and France. He was a member of three Scottish Premier Division clubs (Celtic, Rangers, and Hearts), two in the English Premier Division (Everton and Watford), and one in the French Premier (Nantes). He is known internationally for his time with Rangers, leading them to consecutive Scottish Premier League titles from 1989-91.
Tickets & full match schedule
Tickets for the 2006 Carolina Challenge Cup will go on sale in January 2007. Fans will be able to purchase tickets for individual games or for the six match series. The tournament dates are set for March 24 – 31 with three days of doubleheaders; times and a full match schedule will be announced in January 2007.
Three Lions Club voted third best soccer bar in the US
Charleston, SC. The Three Lions Club at Blackbaud Stadium has been voted as the third best soccer bar in the US during US Soccer’s annual ‘Best of US Soccer’ Awards after nearly three weeks of online fan voting at ussoccer.com. The Three Lions Club was one of ten soccer bars nominated and placed third behind Ginger’s Ale House, Chicago, IL and the Brewhouse Café, Atlanta, GA. The Best Soccer Bar as defined by US Soccer is awarded to the best soccer-focused or soccer-friendly bar in the United States, showing the full gamut of games from the EPL, MLS, USL and internationals from across the globe.
The Three Lions Club is located in the stadium building at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island and is filled with a remarkable collection of soccer memorabilia from around the globe. It is an ‘English-Style’ pub equipped with several LCD televisions, a comfortable saloon complete with plush leather couches and traditional pub games. A full bar menu is available and members enjoy a complimentary catered buffet prior to Battery home games.
On Charleston Battery game days the Three Lions is a private members club reserved exclusively for the use of Three Lions Club members. Charleston Battery players and coaches socialize with members following games.
The Three Lions Club is also open to the general public on Thursday evenings in conjunction with the Battery’s adult soccer leagues and opened during this past summer to show selected FIFA World Cup soccer matches. The Three Lions Club is also available for private and corporate functions.
A limited number of Three Lions Club memberships are still available for the 2007 Charleston Battery season priced at $450 each. For more information or to purchase tickets please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.
|
|
|
|
