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CHARLESTON BATTERY AND WCIV-TV TEAM UP FOR 2017 SEASON

For first time in the Charleston Battery’s 25 year history all matches, both home and away, will be shown live on local television. The games will be available on WCIV My TV Charleston on channel 36 over-the-air and satellite and channel 13 on cable

“WCIV is proud to partner with the Charleston Battery and broadcast their games for the 2017 season,” said WCIV-TV General Manager Mary Margaret Nelms. “We are thrilled for the entire Charleston market to be able watch one of the most successful soccer clubs in the US. This collaboration further strengthens WCIV as Charleston’s home for local and regional sports.”

The Battery’s 16 regular season USL home games will be played on Saturday nights; home kickoffs are scheduled for 7:00pm. The USL regular season runs from March through October.

VIEW THE FULL SCHEDULE HERE

B Sports Entertainment, the Charleston Battery’s ownership group, purchased a suite of equipment, including eight high definition cameras, in the offseason to prepare for the venture into television in 2017.

Charleston Battery President, Andrew Bell will serve as the play-by-play commentator for all 32 matches with former Charleston Battery goalkeeper Kevin Corby providing analysis. The broadcast will also feature former College of Charleston student Allie Sender who will be reporting from the sidelines.

Bell has been the voice of the Battery since joining the Club in 1999 and is looking forward to the possibilities the partnership with ABC provides.

“This is a great opportunity for us to expand our brand even further in our local market,” said Bell. “We’re excited to work with WCIV-TV to give our fans the ability to easily access all of our matches during our historic 25th season. The partnership speaks to the expansion of the USL and the growth in popularity of the sport in the U.S.”

The Battery’s silver anniversary season kicks off this Saturday, March 25th at MUSC Health Stadium. Charleston takes on FC Cincinnati in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Fans can watch the match on WCIV My TV Charleston or online at https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com.

NPOTM: Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center

The Blackbaud Nonprofit of the Match for the Charleston Battery season opener on March 25th is the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center. Dee Norton is a community-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and coordinates with more than 30 partner agencies in the Charleston community to take appropriate action and deliver the critical services for children and families in need.

It is estimated that 14,000 children are abused in Charleston and Berkeley counties each year. The Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center is doing its part to care for as many of those children as possible. The Center assesses, treats, and provides support to more than 1,500 abused or traumatized children and their families in the Lowcountry. Since opening our doors in 1991, Dee Norton has helped over 26,000 children and families heal from the trauma of abuse.

The organization’s mission is to prevent abuse, protect children, and heal families. Dee Norton’s efforts are working; 93% of the children treated last year showed no clinically significant trauma symptoms after treatment.

The Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center offers an array of best-practice services to children and families when there is a concern of abuse or trauma exposure. Our services include Forensic Interviews, Mental Health Assessments, Medical Services, Therapy Services, Parental Assessments, Multidisciplinary Case Coordination, and Advocacy.

It costs approximately $1,400 to provide comprehensive services to one child for a full year. That means that the average cost to help one child for one day is only $3.84. If you’d like to support the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, deenorton to 855-735-BIDR (2437) or stop by their table on the concourse by the west gate on the 25th.

All nonprofits will have the opportunity to win a donation from the Battery during our halftime crossbar challenge this season. A Battery player will try to hit the crossbar from 30 yards out; if the player hits the bar, the Club will donate $1,000 to the nonprofit. A representative from the nonprofit will do the same from 18 yards out for a chance to win an additional $1,000. The crossbar challenge will take place after the frisbee toss at halftime of every match.

CHARLESTON BATTERY SIGN FIVE PLAYERS AHEAD OF SEASON OPENER

Charleston Battery have signed Ricky Garbanzo, Nico Rittmeyer, Ryan Arambula, Joe Kuzminsky, and Robbie Robinson for the 2017 season, the Club announced Tuesday. All five players will be available for the Battery’s USL opener this Saturday.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE HOME OPENER

Garbanzo returns to the Battery for his third season. The Rock Hill native had an impressive rookie campaign, scoring six goals and earning the Battery’s Newcomer of the Year award in 2015. Prior to joining the Battery, Garbanzo scored 40 goals and tallied 21 assists in four years at Coastal Carolina.

Kuzminsky will see his first professional action in Charleston this season. The 6-4 goalkeeper joins the Battery following a successful collegiate career at University of Alabama-Birmingham. Kuzminsky was the starting goalkeeper for his final three years as a Blazer and served as team captain during his senior year. The Denver native spent time with Colorado Rapids Under 18 Development Academy as a youth player.

Rittmeyer and Arambula will also spend their rookie seasons in Charleston. The two midfielders, along with Robinson, who signed an academy contract with the pro team on Tuesday, are products of Charleston’s academy.

Rittmeyer grew up in Savannah, Georgia and spent almost his entire youth career in Charleston. Following his success with the SC Battery Academy, Rittmeyer went on to play at the University of North Carolina for one season before transferring to the College of Charleston. The midfielder was a two-time captain and a two-time All-CAA selection as a Cougar.

Arambula, a graduate from the University of South Carolina, joins the Battery after spending last summer with the Myrtle Beach Mutiny of the NPSL. As a Gamecock, Arambula was a four-time member of the Conference USA and Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Rolls and led his class in assists. Arambula was a member of the Battery academy from 2008-2012.

Robinson, 18, will play on an academy contract this season while he finishes high school. The pacey forward, who was also on an academy contract last season, appeared in Charleston’s friendlies against the Nigerian Olympic Team and Rangers FC and was included in the 18-man roster for two USL games in 2016.

The five signings finalize Charleston Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser’s roster heading into the opening weekend. Atlanta United are expected to send at least two players to Charleston prior to Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati.

Charleston Battery vs. FC Cincinnati kicks off at 7:00pm, gates open at 5:30. All matches will be available online at https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com.

CHARLESTON BATTERY SIGN MIDFIELD DUO

Charleston Battery have signed Tah Brian Anunga and Kotaro Higashi for the 2017 season, pending USL and USSF approval, the Club announced Thursday morning.

The midfield pair are two of only a handful of new faces on the Charleston Battery roster this season. Anunga and Higashi join Skylar Thomas as the only non-returning players currently under contract with the Battery.

Anunga grew up in Cameroon and played in APEJES Academy prior to moving to America in 2015. The midfielder appeared in nine games for Wilmington the year he moved to the U.S, then spent time with Carolina Dynamo of the PDL in 2016. Anunga has played for Cameroon’s national team at the U17, U20, and U23 levels, serving as captain of the U20s.

Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser has used Anunga as a holding midfielder next to creative players like Justin Portillo and Ataulla Guerra in many of the team’s preseason matches. Anunga’s pace and athleticism allow him to cover a lot of ground and act as a safety valve behind the team’s playmakers. The Cameroonian native has shown his versatility since arriving in Charleston, earning valuable minutes in the center of the park and as an outside back.

Higashi came to Charleston by way of Japan for Anhaeuser’s open tryouts in February. The creative midfielder earned a spot on the team’s Carolina Challenge Cup roster over the course of the two day open trial. Higashi scored a 92nd minute equalizer for the Battery against Seattle Sounders in the opening night of CCC and has consistently competed well in training and other preseason matches to earn a contract.

The Japanese playmaker is very comfortable on the ball and will bring another creative presence to the side. The goal Kotaro scored against the Sounders shows the attacking awareness he’s developed through years of playing at a high level all over the world. The 27 year old most recently spent time with the Bonnyrigg White Eagles of the National Premier Leagues NSW in Sydney Australia.

Anunga and Kotaro join an established midfield including Portillo, Guerra, and Neveal Hackshaw. The 2017 roster is close to being finished; Coach Anhaeuser will likely only make a couple of additions prior to the USL opener on March 25th. Atlanta United is also expected to send more players to Charleston as the season draws closer.

The Battery closes out its preseason with a matinee match at home against the College of Charleston on Tuesday, March 21st at 1:30. The match is free and open to the public and will be streamed live on https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com.

Battery sign former first-round draft pick

Charleston Battery have signed Skylar Thomas for the 2017 season, pending USL and USSF approval, the Club announced Monday afternoon.

Toronto FC chose Thomas, 23, with the eleventh pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft; the same draft current Battery forward Romario Williams was chosen third overall by the Montreal Impact. Shortly after being drafted by the MLS team, Thomas signed with Toronto FC II of the USL.

Thomas signs with Charleston after spending the last two seasons with TFCII. The Ontario native made 47 appearances and scored four goals for the USL side during his two seasons in Canada.

Prior to being drafted in 2015, the center back spent four years at Syracuse University where he was a two-time captain. Thomas started all 56 games during his career with the Orange, scoring eight goals and adding an assist while anchoring the back four.

Thomas has earned playing time with Canada’s U18s, U20s, and U23s. The 6-5 defender made seven appearances for the U23s while playing for TFCII in 2015 and 2016.

Throughout the 2017 preseason, Thomas and Forrest Lasso have been platooning the center back spot next to Taylor Mueller vacated by Shawn Ferguson who announced his retirement from professional soccer at the end of the 2016 season.

The Canadian newcomer joins a very experienced defensive corps that includes Quinton Griffith, O’Brian Woodbine, Mueller, and Lasso and is backed by goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper. Those five Battery veterans have combined to make over 400 appearances for the Club and will welcome a player of Thomas’ pedigree to the group.

The Battery continue their preseason tune-up this week with a rematch against Coastal Carolina University Tuesday at 7:00. Charleston won, 5-2, when the two sides met earlier this month. Tuesday’s match is at MUSC Health Stadium and is free and open to the public.

CHARLESTON BATTERY RE-SIGN KEY VETERANS

Charleston Battery have re-signed Odisnel Cooper and Heviel Cordoves for the 2017 season, pending USL and USSF approval, the club announced Friday.

Both Cooper and Cordoves are entering their fifth seasons with the Battery. The Cubans arrived in Charleston in 2012 after defecting to the United States during a trip to Toronto for a World Cup Qualifier, following the path to the Battery forged by current Seattle Sounders captain Ozzie Alonso. The two have been mainstays in the Battery’s lineup since their arrival.

Cooper was Mike Anhaeuser’s first choice goalkeeper during the 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons, making 70 appearances in his first three years in Charleston. He was selected an All-League Second Team selection and earned the Battery’s Most Valuable Player award in 2015. In 2016 Cooper split time with Atlanta United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis.

Cordoves has scored 12 goals in 55 appearances for the Battery since his arrival. The 6-1 center forward scored three crucial goals for Charleston during the team’s march to the playoffs in 2016. A hat trick in the second round of the 2014 US Open Cup also highlights Cordoves’ resume.

Cooper, Cordoves and the rest of the Battery squad continue preseason this weekend with matches against Clemson University and the University of North Florida. The tilt with the Tigers is at Riggs Field on Friday at 4:30pm. Sunday’s match with UNF kicks off at 2:00pm at MUSC Health Stadium and is free and open to the public.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2017 CHARLESTON BATTERY ROSTER

CHARLESTON BATTERY LAUNCHES COACHES ASSOCIATION PROGRAM

The Charleston Battery launched its coaches association program in late February as part of greater effort to become more involved with the area’s youth clubs and player development.

The program kicked off with behind the scenes access to a private Seattle Sounders training session during Carolina Challenge Cup. The registered coaches were invited to attend Head Coach Brian Schmetzer’s closed practice the day before Seattle’s match with Columbus Crew. The MLS Cup winning coach addressed the group, walked them through the session, and fielded questions.

Following the Q&A, the youth coaches had unrestricted access to roam the sidelines of MUSC Health Stadium and watch Clint Dempsey and the reigning MLS Champions prepare for a match.

The program will continue with more open practice events in the future. Charleston Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser will host the next open session in the lead up to the team’s first USL game on March 25th. More details to come in the next newsletter.

“Our aim with the program is to bring our local coaches together via the first class facility and coaches we have here at MUSC Health Stadium, which should ultimately help raise the standard of player development in our region,” said Battery Vice President Mike Kelleher. “We want to connect with the clubs in the area and help each other to achieve that goal however we can, and we feel this is a step in the right direction.”

The Charleston Battery Coaches Association is free and open to all coaches in the Charleston area. Registration for the program is still open, visit teamphoria.com to register. You will be signed up for the program newsletter upon registration.

WILLIAMS, OTOO TO RETURN FOR 2017 SEASON

Atlanta United has loaned forward Romario Williams and midfielder Jeffrey Otoo to the Charleston Battery for the 2017 season, pending USL approval.

Williams led the Battery in scoring in 2016, tallying 10 goals in 27 games. Atlanta United acquired Williams following his successful season via a trade with Montreal Impact on December 11th. The Jamaican center forward was the third overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.

Otoo signed with Atlanta United in June of 2016 and was immediately sent to Charleston for the remainder of the USL season. Otoo, 19, appeared in five USL games and the Battery’s friendlies with the Nigerian U23s and Rangers FC last summer.

Both Williams and Otoo have featured prominently for Charleston during the 2017 preseason. Williams scored an equalizing goal for the Battery during the first ever meeting between Charleston and Atlanta United in final match of the Carolina Challenge Cup and found the scoresheet again last night against Coastal Carolina University.

Williams and Otoo will be a key part of what Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser does going forward in 2017. The attacking players join O’Brian Woodbine, Quinton Griffith, Forrest Lasso, Ataulla Guerra, Neveal Hackshaw, Justin Portillo, Maikel Chang, Dante Marini, and Taylor Mueller on this season’s roster.

The Battery continues its preseason this weekend with a road match against NASL side North Carolina FC on Saturday. Following the match in Raleigh, Charleston plays Clemson University at Riggs Field on March 10th then returns home to battle University of North Florida on Sunday, March 12th. The match against UNF will be streamed on https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com. Admission is free for all remaining preseason matches at MUSC Health Stadium.

COLUMBUS CREW WIN 2017 CHALLENGE CUP, BATTERY FALL TO ATLANTA

CHARLESTON, SC – Columbus Crew SC captured the 2017 Carolina Challenge Cup trophy Saturday night, defeating Seattle Sounders, 1-0 at MUSC Health Stadium. With the tournament champions already decided, Atlanta United defeated the Charleston Battery, 2-1 in the final match of the Challenge Cup.

Atlanta came out on the front foot in the second match of the evening, putting Charleston under pressure immediately. The early high press paid off almost instantly. Yamil Asad opened the scoring in the fourth minute, nodding home a Mikey Ambrose cross from the left flank.

Charleston responded well to the visitors’ quick start and settled into the match following the goal. Romario Williams just missed pulling the Battery level in the 15th minute when a rebound fell to him inside the penalty area. The Jamaican center forward knocked a half volley towards the goal, but pulled in just wide.

Williams looked dangerous through his entire 65 minute spell and got himself on the scoresheet in the 45th minute. After receiving a pass from O’Brian Woodbine, Williams turned and drove at Atlanta’s back four. Williams shrugged off a few challenges and smashed a low shot into the bottom corner of Kyle Reynish’s goal.

Charleston carried over the momentum from Williams’ late goal to the second half. The Battery possessed the ball in Atlanta’s attacking third for much of the opening portion of the second 45 minutes, creating a flurry of chances. Williams just missed doubling his goal total in the 56th minute, knocking a Woodbine cross just over the crossbar.

Atlanta United Head Coach Tata Martino brought on two of his designated players in the closing minutes of the match. Miguel Almiron and Tito Villalba were instrumental in Atlanta’s game-winning goal in stoppage time. Villalba scored the go ahead goal, corralling a cross from Andrew Wheeler and slotting the ball past backup goalkeeper Devin Perales.

“I think that they got what they needed and we got what we needed,” said Charleston Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. “These matches are about preparation for the season and tonight was a great test for us.”

Charleston will continue their preparation for the USL home opener on March 25th this coming week with another preseason match against Coastal Carolina University. The match kicks off at 7:00pm at MUSC Health Stadium.

CHARLESTON BATTERY: Odisnel Cooper, O’Brian Woodbine (yellow card, 22); (Reed Norton, 66), Forrest Lasso (Skylar Thomas, 60), Taylor Mueller (Akeem Thomas, 60) Quinton Griffith, Dante Marini (Tah Anunga, 60), Justin Portillo (Ryan Arambula, 66), Ataulla Guerra (Kotaro Higashi, 60), Maikel Chang (Jeffery Otoo, 63; yellow card, 78), Heviel Cordoves (Ricky Garbanzo, 58), Romario Williams (goal, 46); (Akeem Roach, 66)

ATLANTA UNITED: Kyle Reynish, Mikey Ambrose (yellow card, 81), Anton Walkes (Michael Parkhurst, 82), Miles Robinson, Mark Bloom (Andrew Wheeler, 62), Jacob Peterson (Hector Villalba, 86), Kevin Kratz (Miguel Almiron, 84), Julian Gressel (Harrison Heath, 46), Andrew Carleton, Yamil Asad (goal, 4); (Brandon Vasquez, 46), Carlos Carmona (yellow card, 60); (Jeff Larentowicz, 82; yellow card, 89)

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