News Archive

Charleston Battery makes its long awaited return this Sunday, July 19, as it hosts regional foe Birmining Legion FC at 8 p.m. It will have been 133 days since the Battery saw competition, entering the reformatted 2020 Season with one win on the books after the March 8 victory over Atlanta United 2 before the season was halted due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

This is the third meeting ever between the clubs, with the Battery carrying a 1-0-1 record against Birmingham heading into Sunday’s matchup. After seeing each other twice during the 2019 season, including a 3-0 Battery win last June, both teams look to Sunday’s bout with new weapons on the roster and determination to top their respective Groups in the league’s reformatted structure.

Birmingham comes to Charleston hot off a 3-0 smashing against Memphis 901 FC at home on Wednesday night. The season opening win for the Black and Gold puts them atop the standings for their regional Group G. The Battery, meanwhile, look to keep pace within their own regional group after Tampa Bay Rowdies notched a win against Atlanta last weekend, collecting 3 points and sole lead in Group H standings. With the reformatted 2020 Season, the top two teams from each regional group advance to a 16-team playoff bracket in October.

Ones to Watch This Week

Neco brett

New to the Birmingham side this season, striker Neco Brett could prove problematic for the Battery on Sunday. The former Pittsburgh Riverhound forward is a proven goalscorer with 32 goals and 17 assists over his last two seasons. Brett was kept out of the back of the net in their opener on Wednesday, coming into the game at the 82nd minute as a late substitution.

Bruno lapa

Bruno Lapa is on the Battery’s radar now after a professional debut to remember against Memphis last week. The midfielder’s hot start included two goals as well as adding an assist on the second of three scores for BHM Wednesday night.

Robbie Crawford

One of eleven offseason signings for the Battery, Robbie will be looking to pull the strings up the middle as a strong complement to fellow midfielder Angelo Kelly. The former Rangers FC midfielder subbed in for the final fifteen minutes in the opener against Atlanta, but with a strong presence on the pitch since returning to training, Crawford looks to make a big impact.

From the Training Ground

The boys have been working hard since the league lifted a full-contact training moratorium on June 24, culminating with a full scrimmage in the new stadium at Patriots Point on Wednesday night.

“Practice has been great, everyday we’re able to do a little more game situation,” said coach Mike Anhaueser in the lead up to Sunday’s kickoff. “We were able to add a scrimmage, play a little longer…getting their game minutes. It’s been really good, the guys have been fantastic.”

On the injuries list for Sunday, striker Arthur Bosua, who scored against Birmingham in June 2019, will be unavailable. As will Battery veteran Dante Marini. Defender Rennico Clarke, who played the entire March 8 match against Atlanta, is probable.

MATCH INFO

Charleston Battery vs. Birmingham Legion FC
Sunday, July 19 – 8:00 PM EST Kickoff
Patriots Point

HOW TO WATCH:
All Battery matches will be streaming on the ESPN+ platform. Sunday’s match will be live HERE.

Robbie Crawford has been laser-focused on the return to play starting July 19. Through months of training at home and then the return to full-contact training in June, Robbie’s ensured he’s in fit shape for getting back on the pitch.

The new midfielder joined Luke Mauro on ESPN Radio and the “Middays with Mauro” show recently to share his excitement about returning to play, his background coming up in the Scottish professional system and…haggis. Hear the full interview below!

With the USL Championship announcing the revised schedule for continuing the 2020 Season, Charleston Battery returns to the pitch on July 19 as we face Birmingham Legion FC. See the updated schedule here. We can’t thank you enough for your support through this crazy year.

Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to play our first two games in July without fans in attendance. As the season unfolds, we will assess conditions and make the appropriate decision in collaboration with local authorities regarding opening doors for the remainder of the season. As excited as we are for our fans to experience our new home at Patriots Point, safety will remain our top priority.

If you have any questions or concerns about 2020 season tickets or single-match ticket purchases, please click here for more information or email us at tickets@https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com.

TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced today the revised schedule for the 2020 USL Championship season. The league’s clubs are set to play 263 games over 13 weeks to decide which 16 teams will advance to the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs, which will open in the second weekend of October.

Three teams will face their season-opening contests in the first two weeks, with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s season-opener on Sunday, July 12 on the road against Louisville City FC on ESPN2 being followed by Birmingham Legion FC’s 2020 debut on Wednesday, July 15 as it plays host to regional rival Memphis 901 FC at BBVA Field. Hartford Athletic will then be the final team to open its regular season as it plays host to Loudoun United FC on Monday, July 20 at Dillon Stadium.

• Click Here for the Complete Revised 2020 USL Championship Schedule

• Click Here for the Opening 2020 USL Championship on ESPN2 Schedule

Big divisional games will feature throughout July, with the opening game of the Kings’ Cup rivalry between Louisville City FC and Saint Louis FC commencing its four-game series on Saturday, July 18. The South Texas Derby will kick off a day prior, with Rio Grande Valley FC set to host San Antonio FC at H-E-B Park on Friday, July 17, while El Paso Locomotive FC will meet New Mexico United at Southwest University Park on Saturday, July 25.

Indy Eleven will then make its first trip to Lynn Family Stadium on August 8 as the rivals that contested the 2019 Eastern Conference Final square off in the first Louisville-Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest (LIPAFC). That meeting highlights a big slate of games that day, with New Mexico United and Phoenix Rising FC set to renew what became a fierce rivalry during the 2019 season on the same night in a fascinating intergroup contest at Isotopes Park. 

The same night also sees games between Southern Derby rivals the Charlotte Independence and Charleston Battery at the Sportsplex at Matthews, a clash between OKC Energy FC and San Antonio FC at Taft Stadium, a rematch from the opening weekend of the regular season between Las Vegas Lights FC and San Diego Loyal SC at Cashman Field, and an intriguing intergroup matchup that sees Saint Louis FC host FC Tulsa at West Community Stadium. 

August also includes other notable intergroup matchups. The Silver State Cup will return to Las Vegas Lights FC’s Cashman Field on August 1 as Reno 1868 FC visits for the lone regular-season meeting between the clubs this season, while Indy Eleven will play host to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 15. North Carolina FC will then play host to the Charleston Battery at WakeMed Soccer Park on August 19, and the month is capped off with a meeting between Reno 1868 FC and Phoenix Rising FC on August 29.

The race for the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs will heat up in September, with notable group games including a clash on Saturday, Sept. 5 between New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive FC set for Isotopes Park. Other key potential games during the month including San Diego Loyal SC’s home contest with Orange County SC on September 13, and the visit of Hartford Athletic to face Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on September 26. The Black Gold Derby could then be decided on September 30 as FC Tulsa plays host to OKC Energy FC at ONEOK Field, the second of two meetings between the clubs at that venue in the month.

The regular season concludes in the opening weekend of October and features high-profile group games that could decide playoff fates across multiple groups. The action opens on Friday night as Austin Bold FC plays host to San Antonio FC in Group D, and then continues with contests between Saint Louis FC and Indy Eleven at West Community Stadium in Group E, Memphis 901 FC and Birmingham Legion FC and AutoZone Park in Group G, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Charleston Battery at Al Lang Stadium in Group H. The final Sunday of the regular season also brings a rematch of the 2019 Western Conference Final as Real Monarchs SLC hosts El Paso Locomotive FC for a game that could prove key in Group C.

Every game of the 2020 USL Championship season will air on the ESPN family of networks, with broadcasts on ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ bringing all the excitement of the first league in the United State to return to play in home markets directly to homes across the United States.

The USL Championship announced Wednesday an updated format for the remainder of the 2020 season. As we return to play, we continue to work with local and state officials on plans for the potential to have fans in attendance this season. The safety of our players, staff and fans remains our top priority. For updates regarding season tickets or single game tickets already purchased, please click here.

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced on Wednesday an updated format for the remainder of the 2020 season that will see clubs divided into eight groups to complete a 16-game regular season followed by a single-elimination playoff. 

Regular Season Structure

In order to limit travel, the regular season will see the Championship’s clubs divided into eight regionalized groups, and each team will complete a 16-game regular season. There will be five groups made up of four teams, and three groups made up of five teams to cover the 35 member clubs of the Championship.

The regular season games will be played over 13 weeks, concluding on the weekend of October 2-4. Games completed prior to the season suspension in March will be counted and included in the schedule, with teams that were active on the opening weekend of the season having 15 games remaining in their schedule. 

Both San Diego Loyal SC and the Tacoma Defiance – who completed two games prior to the season suspension – will have 14 games remaining in their respective schedules. The three clubs that did not play prior to the season suspension – Birmingham Legion FC, Hartford Athletic and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – will play their full 16 games upon the resumption of play.

Balance of Schedule 

Each team’s schedule will be made up of 12 games from within its own group, with the remaining four games to be played against teams that fall within a similar geographic region. Through this, each team placed in a four-team group will play its three fellow group members four times, while each team placed in a five-team group will play its four fellow group members three times. 

Games played prior to the suspension of the season will count toward the allotment of 16 overall games, either as in-group contests or as one of the additional four contests that will complete the schedule. 

Teams will be initially scheduled to play a balanced schedule of eight games home and away in the regular season. However, the Board of Governors has also approved the ability for clubs to play an unbalanced amount of home and away matches, if necessary. For example, if a club is experiencing difficulties with venue availability due to the impact of COVID-19 in their community. 

Five Substitution Rule

As was previously announced, the Championship will allow five substitutes to be used for the remainder of the 2020 season, with each team having three opportunities to make its substitutions during regular play. Substitutions may also be made at halftime without counting against a club’s three in-game opportunities.

2020 USL Championship Playoffs Structure

The top two teams from each group in the regular season will advance to the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs, producing a field of 16 teams overall in a regionalized single-elimination bracket. Group winners will be paired with Group runners-up in the Round of 16, with home advantage being determined by record for the remainder of the bracket.

Rennico Clarke enters his first season with the Charleston Battery in 2020. While new to Charleston, he is no stranger to the USL Championship and joins a few familiar faces from time he spent playing overseas in Iceland with now teammates Zeiko Lewis and Robbie Crawford. We catch up with our FIFA USL eCup star in this week’s installment of Behind the Black and Yellow.

Q: Hometown?
A: I am from a small town called Saint Thomas in Jamaica.

Q: What is one thing you have to have when traveling?
A: It would have to be my laptop or headphones, they are essential for relaxation!

Q: What would you be if you weren’t a professional soccer player?A: If I wasn’t playing soccer, I would definitely be coaching. It is something I always thought about and is something I am looking forward to when things wrap up.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: I have received a lot, but if I had to choose one piece of advice, it would definitely be, “Nothing in life comes easy, you have to to work hard for it, and when you do have it, you have to work even harder to keep it.” That’s something I live by to this day.

Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
A: My greatest inspiration has been my dad. Growing up and seeing how strong and reliable he was. He’s been there for me since day one and has always done everything he could to make sure his family was all right. 

Q: What is your favorite thing about Charleston?
A: My favorite thing about Charleston would have to be the weather, it reminds me of back home in Jamaica.

Q: If you had one superpower, what would it be?
A: It would definitely have to be the ability to travel at the speed of light. It would be so nice to run home to Jamaica after practice to have some Jamaican food!

Q: What is one thing you can’t live without?
A: One thing I can’t live without would be my phone. It keeps me up to date and it’s like a little handbook, without it I don’t think I can operate!

Q: Who is your favorite player of all time?
A: Nemanja Vidic. The Serbian beast. Growing up he was my inspiration for defending. He was a great leader and captain.

Q: What is the best purchase you have made so far this year?
A: Buying Apple Music! Now I can play all my favorite music that I want, whenever I want. I used to have to download my music, but now I have everything I want.

Q: What is one thing that is overrated?
A: I think pizza is the most overrated thing. People go crazy for it and I don’t see what the big deal is.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: My biggest pet peeve would definitely be a dirty kitchen. I hate seeing a dirty kitchen, especially because I like to cook.

Q: Which teammate takes the most selfies?
A: The guy who I see taking the most selfies is my roommate Darian!

Q: What is your go to karaoke song?
A: My favorite karaoke song is “Country Roads” by John Denver. I love that one!

Q: Who is your favorite team to represent on FIFA?
A: My favorite team on FIFA is Manchester United. I’ve always been a United fan!

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 be in Jamaica with my family cooking jerk chicken and laughing with them. That’s when I am at my happiest.

Q: If you had to choose one teammate to survive on a deserted island with, who would it be?
A: It would be Angelo because of his creative skills. I’m sure we would survive because of that!

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!