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Behind the Black and Yellow: Q&A with Logan Gdula

We can’t be anything but excited for Logan Gdula as he joins the Black and Yellow for the 2020 season. The 6’1 former Wake Forest defender poses an attacking threat out of the back and already has USL experience under his belt. We caught up with him to get the scoop on life off the pitch in this week’s Q&A.

Q: Home town?
A: Colchester, CT

Q: What is one thing you have to have when traveling?
A: Chapstick, just something I always have on me. It’s a necessity!

Q: What would you be if you weren’t a professional soccer player
A: Maybe an actor…never really planned on being anything other than a professional soccer player.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: Control what you can control.

Q: Who has been your greatest motivation?
A: My greatest inspiration is my mom. She’s probably the most resilient and loving person I know. We’ve been through a lot together and she’s been my person for as long as I can remember, she’s a superhero in my eyes. Everything I do and have accomplished is for her, I’m constantly trying to make her proud of the son she raised. And hopefully one day I can follow in her footsteps.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Charleston?
A: The weather has been amazing and just the vibe as a whole, love this town!

Q: What is the best purchase you have made so far this year?
A: This year I haven’t made many purchases, but ever since we’ve been social distancing, I purchased Call of Duty, which was a good investment. I’ve also started buying and selling stocks, so I’ve made some good purchases there.

Q: What is your favorite board/ card game?
A: Rummy is my favorite card game. I’m a very strategic person and actually play a lot of different card games. As far as board games go, I’m a big fan of monopoly, it’s a classic.

Q: What is one thing that is overrated?
A: Peanut butter is just not enjoyable. It has a dry texture and the overall flavor just isn’t there for me.

Q: What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
A: One thing I couldn’t live without besides my friends and family would probably have to be soccer. Whether it’s competitive or not, soccer has always been a release for me when things are going bad…it takes my mind off of it. Soccer has always come naturally to me and, honestly, it took me down a better path than I could have ever dreamed of. Oh and chapstick…can’t live without that…nobody likes crusty lips.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: My biggest pet peeve is when someone tells you they’re starving and you ask them what food they want or where they want to eat, and they make you decide. Obviously if you’re the one dying from starvation you should pick where we eat…

Q: Which teammate takes the most selfies?
A: This one’s tough, as I haven’t really caught too many people taking selfies. Since I live with AJ, I’ve seen him take selfies mostly for the snap, but if I had to guess ,I’d say Nique. That man is always on his phone!

Q: What is your go to karaoke song?
A: “I Don’t Want To Be” by Gavin DeGraw…just a classic karaoke song that you can jam out to.

Q: Who is your favorite soccer player of all time?
A: Favorite player all time would have to be Messi!. The game just comes so easy to him, everything he does is so magical and natural. However, I really enjoy watching Neymar play. In my opinion he’s the most entertaining player to watch in the world and soccer is in the business of entertainment.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be and what would you be doing?
A: If I could be anywhere in the world, I would want to be in Greece. It just seems like such a beautiful country with beautiful beaches. All I would do is be on the beach with a soccer ball.

Q: If you had to choose one teammate to survive on a deserted island with, who would it be?
A: Solely for the purpose of survival, AJ would have to be my pick. The man can fish and we would definitely need some food. I don’t know how to fish or cook. AJ would keep us alive!

Behind the Black and Yellow: Q&A with Leland Archer

Archer heads into his third season with the Battery after a solid campaign as one of Charleston’s most reliable center backs. The defensive mainstay received his first senior team call up last season for Trinidad and Tobago. Little did we know, that’s not the first time he’s represented his country as we find out more about his life off the pitch, in this week’s edition of Behind the Black and Yellow.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Port- of- Spain, Trinidad.

Q: What is one thing you have to have when traveling?
A: Neck pillow, you never know when the sleep will hit you.

Q: What would you be if you weren’t a professional soccer player
A: I would either do something in the field of business or maybe coach a soccer team. I’ll probably coach a youth team or maybe a college team.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: “Always do your best at everything, every day, every time” my dad would tell me this as motivation for anything I did in life whether it was during college or soccer.

Q: Who has been your biggest motivation?
A: My dad, he has been there for me throughout my life pushing me to always do my best in everything I do. Regardless of how difficult it has been.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Charleston?
A: My favorite thing about Charleston would have to be downtown, the architecture and sceneries are beautiful.

Q: Have you picked up any new hobbies during social distancing?
A: I have mastered Call of Duty. Well, maybe not mastered, but I enjoy playing video games more during this time.

Q: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
A: Definitely super speed like the Flash.

Q: What is one thing that is overrated?
A: The office! (But to be fair, I haven’t given it a fair chance.)

Q: Which teammate takes the most selfies?
A: Keiron Mason, he loves a selfie!

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: When people ask if they can have some of your food as they make a grab for it anyway.

Q: Which USL team do you look forward to playing on the road?
A: Indy Eleven because of old teammate Neveal Hackshaw, he’s one of my good friends and we have a nice little rivalry between us.

Q: What is your go to karaoke song?
A: Hey Jude by the Beatles.

Q: Who is your favorite athlete of all time?
A: Lebron James, I think his dominance in his sport for so many years is really inspiring for any athlete to see. He works hard at his craft mentally and physically, and excels at his sport because of it.

Q: Do you have any superstitions?
A: For soccer, I have to shower at least 4 hours before I play.

Q: If you had to choose one teammate to survive on a deserted island with, who would it be?
A: AJ Paterson, I feel he has the most survivalistic instinct on the team and will be able to get us off the island or at least keep us alive.

Q: What is one thing fans might not know about you?
A: I used to swim for Trinidad and Tobago when I was younger, around 8 or 9 years old.

Keep on swimming, Leland!

Behind the Black and Yellow: Q&A with Jarad Van Schaik

Jarad (or JvS) re-signed with Charleston this offseason and is set to play his sixth season with the team. The 6’2 defender was a rock for the Battery in 2019 starting all 34 matches and was named Most Valuable Player. A true leader on and off the pitch, we caught up with the Battery captain in this week’s installment of Behind the Black and Yellow.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Tualatin, OR

Q: What is one thing you have to have when traveling?
A: I like to have my phone with me and maybe a neck pillow when I don’t forget it.

Q: What would you be if you weren’t a professional soccer player
A: I was taking accounting courses in college until I realized I would be pursuing soccer after college so I switched to a business administration degree so I could graduate early with a degree and still play soccer.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Q: Who has been your biggest motivation?
A: My parents. My mom passed when I was in high school so I always try to live up to what she would want me to be.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Charleston?
A: Hard to pick just one, but I’d say the weather!

Q: Have you picked up any new hobbies during social distancing?
A: Not really, I need to rekindle some old ones like guitar/fishing.

Q: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
A: Teleportation would make traveling for games a lot easier.

Q: What is one thing that is overrated?
A: Social media! I’ve been trying to cut back.

Q: What is the best purchase you have made so far this year?
A: A new mattress!

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: People who tell you to get off your phone and then immediately get on theirs. Hypocrisy in general.

Q: Who would be your all time five-a-side team?
A: Zidane, Ronaldinho, Edgar Davids, Iniesta and Messi

Q: What is your go to karaoke song?
A: Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks. You are unlikely to see me karaoke, though.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be and what would you be doing?
A: I miss snowboarding, maybe Vail snowboarding. I also have Patagonia on the travel list.

Q: What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
A: Internet!

Q: If you had to choose one teammate to survive on a deserted island with, who would it be?
A: Dante Marini – He’s an engineer so we have a chance of getting off the island and he would take the longest to get on my nerves. I’m sure I’d get on his first.

Q: What is one thing fans might not know about you?
A: I get motion sickness very easily

Q: Black or Yellow?
A: Black – I like the all black uniforms!

USL Permits Return to Training in Small Group Settings on May 11

TAMPA, Fla. – Operating under the guidance of local and state health authorities, the United Soccer League today announced a modification to the previously announced training moratorium that will allow Championship and League One clubs, at their option, to open outdoor fields for non-contact training in small groups as well as training rooms for player treatment.

Small group settings will be limited to up to four players, with no more than one athletic trainer and one member of a club’s technical staff allowed on each field during a session. Teams in areas where local and state recommendations for stay-at-home orders have not been lifted should not train or allow treatment that is prohibited by their jurisdiction. In addition, all clubs will notify the league of their plans to return to the team’s training facility prior to re-opening and training is voluntary for players.

The USL previously extended its training moratorium through May 15 for all of its professional clubs.

Behind the Black and Yellow: Q&A with Kyle Nelson

One of the many players set for their second season in Charleston, Kyle Nelson returns to the Battery backline for 2020. The 6’2″ defender impressed on both ends of the ball in 2019 and was named the Betsy McAdams Newcomer of the Year. We caught up with him to get the scoop on what it’s like to have your own fan club and so much more in this week’s Behind the Black and Yellow Q&A.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Austin, Texas

Q: What is one thing you have to have when traveling?
A: My old Nintendo DS. I’m not a person that is obsessed with music all the time so having something to play on the bus or on planes is always a good option.

Q: What would you be if you weren’t a professional soccer player
A: I’d most likely be a physical trainer. At Wofford, I majored in biology so once I’m done I can still stay heavily involved in sports.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: The only thing that stops me from achieving what I want is myself.

Q: How does it feel to have your own fan club?
A: I find it funny and entertaining. Especially since it was a mystery to even me on who controlled it for a while.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Charleston so far?
A: The multitude of things to do here. I could go to the beach, I could grab something to eat at many different places, and just walking King Street by itself is a lot of fun

Q: What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
A: My favorite snack of all time, animal crackers.

Q: Should AJ bring back his dreadlocks?
A: OF COURSE! With the social distancing he is basically half way there already.

Q: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
A: Super sonic speed just like the Flash.

Q: What is one thing that is overrated?
A: Constant shopping for clothes. I don’t understand how people constantly buy things and only wear them a few times.

Q: What is the best purchase you have made so far this year?
A: Buying my mother an edible arrangements bouquet just because she deserves it.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: I’m very much a person that likes to be in the moment and having conversations, so people who are constantly on the phone drives me crazy. You can ask most people, I point it out pretty often.

Q: Who takes the most selfies?
A: Romario Piggott, the man loves the good lighting!

Q: Who is your favorite soccer player of all time?
A: David Beckham. I love what he did for the game during his time and the fact that even now he is still impacting the soccer world.

Q: Do you have any superstitions?
A: It very much depends. I don’t have any specific rituals but if something good happens as a result of some actions I performed, you can bet I will do the exact same thing in hopes it happens again.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be and what would you be doing?
A: If I had to pick one, I would pick Europe. I would just be taking in all the different cultures and go to some of the places I haven’t had a chance to visit yet.

Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song?
A: Caught Up by Usher.

Q: If you had to choose one teammate to survive on a deserted island with, who would it be?
A: I’d choose AJ. Everyone knows the brotherhood the two of us have created so far. I think we would work well together to figure what we need to get off of it.

Q: What is one thing fans might not know about you?
A: My parent’s backyard is a certified wildlife habitat. It starts off with the fact my family owns a 30-40 pound tortoise at home that roams the backyard freely. There are plenty of other things but I’ll save that for a later date.

USL Provides Update on 2020 Season

Behind the Black and Yellow: Q&A with Darian McCauley

One of eight new signings this season, Darian McCauley penned his first professional contract with Charleston after a stellar four-year career at Millersville University. The 6’3″ goalkeeper gives us a glimpse into his life off the pitch, from surviving on a desert island to his go-to karaoke song. It’s all Darian in this week’s Behind the Black and Yellow.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: York, Pennsylvania

Q: What is one thing you must have when traveling?
A: A great music playlist. I love music and I love listening to any type of music ranging from country, to rock, to hip hop; and I enjoy finding new songs. Whether I’m driving or flying, a good playlist always sets the mood and the vibe for that trip.

Q: What would you be if you weren’t a professional soccer player?
A: If I wasn’t a professional soccer player, I would love to be a professional surfer. I love the beach and being out in the water is the best. Over the summers I lived in Bethany Beach, Delaware, and I would be out in the water constantly. I’m not the greatest surfer in the world but I’m sure if I was playing less soccer, I would take the time to try and perfect my surfing abilities.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Charleston so far?
A: I absolutely love the community of Charleston! The people around here are wonderful and extremely friendly. Since I’ve signed here, I have had people helping me around town and going out of their way to check in on me to make sure I’ve been settling in well. It’s also great that I’m near the water and the beaches. I’m excited to meet more members of the Regiment and other people around town…as well as getting to the beach more.

Q: Who is the best dancer on the team?
A: Phil has some moves even though he doesn’t show them too often! Rennico also has some pretty good dances though.

Q: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
A: It would definitely be the ability to fly like Superman. I would love to travel by flying, plus I would save a lot of gas money that way. How cool would it be to go out on a fly instead of a walk or run?

Q: What is one thing that is overrated?
A: The whole “Whipped Coffee” trend. By the time I’m finished making it, I wouldn’t enjoy it that much. Plus, I like my coffee black. No cream. No sugar. I think I’ll be keeping it simple and not hopping on that trend.

Q: What is the best purchase you have made so far this year?
A: I haven’t purchased too many things this year, but I would probably say the best one was my plane ticket down here for my trial. Without that, I would not have been down here and had the opportunity to sign here!

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: My biggest pet peeve is when people make too much noise with their mouth when they’re eating. I don’t like hearing people chew too loud or slurping something. I don’t know what it is and I know it’s a little silly, but it’s something that gets under my skin.

Q: Who takes the most selfies on the team?
A: Oh, AJ for sure. Man is always on his phone and when we go fishing he will be taking selfies while we’re out there.

Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
A: My family has been my greatest inspiration. Everything I do is to try and make them proud. My parents, siblings, and grandparents have always been extremely supportive of me in everything that I do. I certainly would not be where I am today if it was not for all of them.

Q: Who is your favorite soccer player of all time?
A: Gianluigi Buffon. He’s one of the best goalkeepers of all time, if not, the best goalkeeper of all time. I learned so much watching him and how passionate he is about the game. The fact that he is still playing at such a high level at his age is incredible as well.

Q: Do you have any superstitions?
A: Every time I put my gloves on, I always put my left glove on first. Not sure why I do it that way, but if I put my right glove on first, it does not feel right and it throws me off.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be and what would you be doing?
A: I would be at my grandparents house in Red Lion, PA. They have a beautiful house on beautiful land there and it is one of my favorite places in the entire world. I feel so relaxed and happy there. I would probably be sitting out on the porch hanging with family watching sports until my Granna would try to fatten me up with all of the fantastic food she makes and has prepared.

Q: What is your go-to karaoke song?
A: Mr. Brightside by The Killers. It’s always a go-to tune and really gets me pumped up.

Q: If you had to choose one teammate to survive on a deserted island with, who would it be?
A: I would choose my roommate Paul. He is very intelligent with the outdoors as well so I feel like, between the two of us, we would have no problem surviving. I would trust him with the fishing aspect of things for sure.

Q: What is one thing fans might not know about you?
A: I love cooking on the grill and I love barbecuing anything up. Along with enjoying any new brews from local breweries. So just keep that in mind when you are having your next cookout, I’d love to be involved in that!

Behind the Black and Yellow: Q&A With Arthur Bosua

The 2019 season brought with it a number of new faces up front and for first-year forward Arthur Bosua, a chance to make a mark in a new-look Charleston attack. In his rookie season, Bosua scored six goals to go along with forty-two shots, both good for the second-highest totals on the team. Bosua’s successes on and off the field should have the Battery faithful feeling ready for a strong 2020 season from Bosua.

There is no shortage of personality with our six-foot-three target man as we sat down with the not-so-superstitious Bosua in this week’s Behind the Black and Yellow.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Dix Hills, NY/ Johannesburg, SA

Q: What is one thing you have to have when traveling?
A: I need headphones when I am traveling. I have a playlist for pretty much all of my moods. I also need my toiletry bag with me. Personal hygiene was drilled into my head from a young age, remember to floss kids!

Q: What would you be if you weren’t a professional soccer player?
A: I honestly don’t know. I have my degree so that will most certainly help. I have been striving to be a professional soccer player since I was a boy. Obviously soccer won’t last forever and there are a lot of other fields and industries I could see myself in. Consulting has always interested me as a first job because the exposure in many cases can be very beneficial. I have also thought about getting involved in startups or tech companies.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: The best advice I have received has come from my father and mother. My dad has always told me that someone else is out there working harder than me. Being productively paranoid is the result of that advice. A lot of people don’t know this but I almost gave up on my dream of playing before I came to Charleston. I had been working hard for months to get back from two injuries that kept me out for almost a year and the pressure of finding a job after graduating was starting to get to me. Before I flew down here, my mom told me I need love every second of it or else what’s the point and that really inspired me to perform and eventually sign.

Q: Who is the best dancer on the team?
A: I would have to go with Philip, my roommate. The dance moves don’t come out often but when they do it’s groovy. I would personally like to see a dance-off between Phil, AJ, and Nicque!

Q: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
A: I would love to be an animal shapeshifter. I could live in extreme conditions and experience everything these creatures are capable of. Some personal highlights would be diving as a Peregrine Falcon and squading up with dolphin homies as we ride some waves.

Q: What is one thing that is overrated?
A: I think olives are very overrated. They really aren’t that good and are in way too many salads and drinks.

Q: What is the best purchase you have made so far this year?
A: The best purchase I have made this year has to be my calendar. Planning my week in a time like this is very important.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: My biggest pet peeve is seeing people texting on the highway, touching cardboard with dry hands, and fruit that goes bad in less than 48 hours for some mysterious reason. People who play their music out loud in public areas with awful little phone speakers also grinds my gears. ALSO, not a big fan of when people use the word “like” in a sentence over 3-4 times.

Q: Who takes the most selfies?
A: It’s between Angelo, Paul, and Nico for me. All have quality content though.

Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
A: My parents. They moved to a whole new country with 4 little kids and started over for our future. That sacrifice is something that will always stick with me. It puts everything into perspective for me.

Q: Who is your favorite soccer player of all time?
A: Wayne Rooney. The man is a legend. His attitude is amazing, all about the result. I think I’ve watched every highlight tape made about him.

Q: Do you have any superstitions?
A: I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.

-Micheal Scott, The Office

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be and what would you be doing?
A: I would be right here playing soccer at patriots point with a packed house.

Q: What would be your karaoke song?
A: Drops of Jupiter, absolute banger and everyone else will likely get involved so my wonderful voice will not be heard.

Q: Which Harry Potter is your favorite,( book or movie)?
A: Wowwwww, this one is tough. I am about to start a marathon but I would have to go with Goblet of Fire. The movie is epic as it gets and Emma Watson is in it so what’s not to love!

Q: If you had to choose one teammate to survive on a deserted island with, who would it be?
A: I would probably have to go with AJ just because the man is a guru when it comes to fishing and we get along well. We would turn that island into a 5-star resort if anyone ever finds us.

Q: What do you miss the most about South Africa?
A: The game parks are what I miss most. No other time am I up at 4 am and happier to do so. Looking for and seeing animals in the wild is special. The landscapes aren’t too bad either.

Q: What is the best dish you make?
A: My shrimp lo mein is pretty fire. My Peanut butter sandwiches have the best ratio of peanut butter to bread out there.

USL Extends Training Moratorium

TAMPLA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced today it has extended its training moratorium for USL Championship and League One clubs through, and including, Sunday, May 3rd.

USL is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other local, state and national health authorities, the USL Players Association, and professional sports organizations from across the country to ensure the health and wellness of players, staff and supporters remains our top priority. We will provide additional updates as soon as they become available.

As an organization, the league greatly appreciates the support and understanding of all USL Championship and League One fans across the country and looks forward to being back in action again soon.

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