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After a flat tire on the bus forced the team to take Ubers to the Sportsplex at Matthews, the Charleston Battery defeated the Charlotte Independence, 1-0, Saturday night to clinch second place in the USL Eastern Conference. The Battery will open the playoffs at MUSC Health Stadium next Saturday, October 21st.

Knowing they needed a win to finish in the top four, the Independence pressed the Battery early on looking for an opening goal. Despite being under immense pressure for the majority of the first half, it was Charleston who found the back of the net.

The Battery worked their way into Charlotte’s defensive third through a combination of Ataulla Guerra and Maikel Chang in one of their few spells of possession in the first half. Chang eventually found Kotaro Higashi who threaded Guerra through on goal. The Trinidadian midfielder did extremely well to take Higashi’s pass in stride and chip the ball over an onrushing Cody Mizell to put the Battery ahead.

Guerra’s sixth goal of the season was enough to secure three points for Charleston and leave them in sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference. Odisnel Cooper played one of his best games of the season in goal for the Battery to preserve the clean sheet. Battery captain Taylor Mueller also stood out defensively against the Independence as he and Justin Portillo closed out the USL regular season having played every minute.

Charleston’s opponent for the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals will be determined Sunday afternoon when the Bethlehem Steel take on Saint Louis FC at Goodman Stadium. If the table stays as it is, the Battery will play defending USL Champions New York Red Bulls II in the opening round. Tickets for the quarterfinal match can be purchased now at https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com.

CHARLESTON – Odisnel Cooper, Quinton Griffith (yellow card, 42), Taylor Mueller (yellow card, 72), Forrest Lasso, Jarad van Schaik, Maikel Chang, Tah Brian Anunga, Justin Portillo (yellow card, 83), Kotaro Higashi (Nico Rittmeyer, 90; yellow card 90), Ataulla Guerra (goal, 36), Heviel Cordoves (Romario Williams, 65)

CHARLOTTE – Cody Mizzel, Joel Johnson, Bilal Duckett, Kalungi, Austin Yearwood, Jun Marcus Davidson, Hilton, Estrada, Enzo Martinez, Alex Martinez, Jorge Herrera

Charleston

The Charleston Battery enter Saturday’s season finale against the Charlotte Independence with the opportunity to take sole ownership of second place in the East. A second place finish would clinch home games in the quarter and semifinals.

The Battery are coming off of a 4-0 demolition of Harrisburg last Saturday. With three of their best players suspended and nothing to play for, the City Islanders did very little to stop the Battery attack. Heviel Cordoves continued his scoring form, finding the back of the net twice against Harrisburg. The Cuban forward has now scored eight goals in his last eight games and nine during the 2017 season.

Maikel Chang also stood out against the City Islanders last week, assisting three of the Battery’s four goals. Chang now has ten assists on the season, which leads the Eastern Conference and is second in the USL.

Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser will have lineup decisions to make this Saturday. His team put up four goals and a shutout without key players Forrest Lasso and Romario Williams. Both Lasso and Williams return this weekend, Lasso from suspension and Williams from international duty, for this weekend’s finale. Skylar Thomas and Cordoves did well in place of Lasso and Williams, leaving Coach Anhaeuser with several options at the back and up front.

Charlotte

With just one point from their last five matches, Charlotte Independence enter Saturday’s finale with the worst five game form in USL. After a blistering run from June through August that took them to the top of the Eastern Conference, the Independence have struggled to find results. Their last win was on September 2, a 3-0 victory over Richmond at home.

Losers of four straight, Charlotte have managed to score just two goals in in their last five games. Despite the tough run of form, the Independence are still very much in the race for a spot in the top four. Charlotte are currently in fifth place with 48 points, two points behind Rochester and Tampa and three points behind the Battery. The Independence would need to win by three goals or more on Saturday to move above the Battery in the table, but could move above Tampa and Rochester with a win of a lesser margin if either of those teams drop points. A draw or a loss would leave Charlotte in fifth place, meaning they would have to go on the road in the first round of the playoffs.

The Independence have been tough to beat at home this season, losing only three times one of which was to the Battery. Charlotte have failed to score in both of the two meetings with Charleston this season, but Enzo Martinez and Jorge Herrera will pose a threat to the Battery defense on Saturday. The attacking tandem have scored 28 of Charlotte’s 52 goals this season and assisted ten.

Previous Meeting(s)

• April 1, 2017 – University of Charlotte – Charleston Battery (2), Charlotte Independence (0)
  • Scoring summary – Romario Williams (70), Forrest Lasso (77)
• September 20, 2017 – MUSC Health Stadium – Charleston Battery (3), Charlotte Independence (0)
  • Scoring summary – Heviel Cordoves (13, 80); Ricky Garbanzo (73)

Game Notes

Records

• Charleston: 14-8-9; goals 52; goals against 33; GD +19
  • Home: 10-1-5; goals 35 ; goals against 12 ; GD +23
  • Away: 4-7-4; goals 17; goals against; 21; GD -4
• Charlotte: 9-9-13; goals 52; goals against 39; GD +13
  • Home: 7-3-5; goals 28; goals against 15; GD +13
  • Away: 6-6-4; goals 24; goals against 24; GD 0

Form

• Charleston: W | W | L | D | W
• Charlotte: D | L | L | L | L

Statistical Leaders

• Charleston
  • Goals: Romario Williams (15)
  • Assists: Maikel Chang (10)
  • Points: Romario Williams (33)
  • Minutes: Taylor Mueller, Justin Portillo (2,790)

• Charlotte
  • Goals: Enzo Martinez (16)
  • Assists: Enzo Martinez, Jorge Herrera (5)
  • Points: Enzo Martinez (37)
  • Minutes: Cody Mizell

Previous Match

• Result: Charleston Battery (4), Harrisburg City Islanders (0) [MUSC Health Stadium]
  • Charleston goal(s): Heviel Cordoves (15, 58), Ataulla Guerra (28), Quinton Griffith (89)
  • Harrisburg goal(s): None
• Result: Charlotte Independence (1), Louisville City FC (2) [Slugger Field]
  • Charlotte goal(s): Caleb Calvert (66)
  • Louisville goal(s): George Davis IV (57), Kyle Smith (77)

The Charleston Battery defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders, 4-0, Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. The win momentarily moves the Battery into second place in the USL Eastern Conference.  

The Battery were dominant throughout the match, setting the tone early. Heviel Cordoves continued his good form, opening the scoring in the 15th minute. Maikel Chang played Cordoves through on goal from deep in midfield, splitting the defenders with a great pass. Cordoves rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the open net for his eighth goal of the season.

Cordoves appeared to have scored again a minute after his opening goal, but the referee waved his volley off for offside. The Battery continued to look dangerous in the attacking third and found the back of the net again in the 29th minute through Ataulla Guerra. Guerra and Kotaro Higashi exchanged a series of passes at the top of the penalty area before the Trinidadian midfielder smashed a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Sean Lewis.

Cordoves eventually got his second goal of the game, linking up again with Chang to create the scoring opportunity. The Cubans connected at the top of the 18 yard box to spring Cordoves through on goal and he calmly finished it, scoring his eighth goal in as many games.

Quinton Griffith capped off an impressive night for the Battery, scoring in the 89th minute. Change assisted Griffith’s goal as well, giving him three on the night and ten on the season. Griffith along with Taylor Mueller, Skylar Thomas, Jarad van Schaik, and Odisnel Cooper were almost flawless defensively, helping the team earn their twelfth shutout of the season.

“I’m thrilled with the performance, we came out on the attack and really put them under pressure,” said Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser after the match. “It’s nice to see the success of individual players as well as a great team performance. Cordoves got two goals tonight, Chang with three assists and then Griffith and Guerra got on the score sheet too. It gives us great confidence heading away to Charlotte next weekend to finish our last game of the regular season.”

The 4-0 win tightens Charleston’s grasp on a top four finish, extending their goal differential to 19, which would end up as the tiebreaker should two teams finish level on points. Depending on results around the league, the Battery could finish week 29 in second place, but next week’s match in Charlotte will ultimately decide Charleston’s playoff fate. Should the Battery finish in the top four, they would host an Eastern Conference Quarterfinal match on October 21.

CHARLESTON – Odisnel Cooper, Quinton Griffith, Taylor Mueller, Quinton Griffith (goal, 89; yellow card 89), Jarad van Schaik (yellow card, 19), Maikel Chang, Justin Portillo, Tah Brian Anunga (Jeffrey Otoo, 80), Kotaro Higashi (Nico Rittmeyer, 65), Ataulla Guerra (goal, 29), Heviel Cordoves (goal, 15; 58; Patrick Okonkwo, 74)

Unused substitutes: Joe Kuzminsky, Neveal Hackshaw, Laurent Kissiedou, Ricky Garbanzo

HARRISBURG – Sean Lewis, Shawn McLaws, Tiago Calvano, Travis Bent (yellow card, 82), Frederick Opoku, Rasheed Olabiyi (yellow card, 37), Mouhamed Dabo, Jonathan Mendoza, Danny DiPrima (Aaron Wheeler, 77), John Grosh (Paul Wilson, 63), Manolo Sanchez (Christopher Hill, 86)

Unused substitutes: Nick Noble, Jake Bond, Lee Nishamian, Griffin Libhart

The Charleston Battery (6-1-1) enter Saturday’s match against the Harrisburg City Islanders (2-3-2) in first place in the Eastern Conference for the fourth consecutive week. Including Wednesday’s Open Cup match, the Battery are unbeaten in their last six games, winning five and drawing one.

Goals from Forrest Lasso and Jeffery Otoo lifted Charleston to a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks at Silverbacks Park Wednesday afternoon. Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser rotated his squad for the US Open Cup. Skylar Thomas, Ryan Arambula, Ricky Garbanzo, and Otoo made their first starts of the season in the match.

The competition changed, but the results remained the same for Lasso who scored his fifth goal from a set piece this season against Atlanta. The goal was Lasso’s second in as many games. The 6-5 center back scored the game’s only goal in Charleston’s 1-0 win over Saint Louis a week ago.

Otoo got on the end of a Ricky Garbanzo cross late in the first half to double the Battery’s advantage. Otoo’s eventual game-winner was the first goal of his career with Charleston.  

Harrisburg also had success midweek, defeating the Ocean City Nor’Easters at Cary Stadium in Ocean City, New Jersey Wednesday night. The City Islanders defeated Ocean City 6-5 on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes.

The 0-0 draw in Jersey was the City Islanders’ second in a row. Harrisburg drew with the Richmond Kickers last weekend at City Stadium in Virginia. The City Islanders haven’t scored a goal since their 3-1 loss to New York Red Bulls II on May 6th.

Previous Meeting

Charleston won both meetings between the two sides last season. Goals from Romario Williams, Forrest Lasso, and Austin Savage propelled the Battery to a 3-2 win at FNB Field in 2016. Paul Wilson scored both of Harrisburg’s goals in the match.

Game Notes

Records

Charleston: 6-1-1; goals 17; goals against 7; GD +10

• Home: 4-1-1; goals 12 ; goals against 5 ; GD +7
• Away: 2-0-0; goals 5; goals against; 2; GD +3

Harrisburg: 2-3-2; goals 6; goals against 8; GD -2

• Home: 1-0-1; goals 4; goals against 3; GD +1
• Away: 1-3-1; goals 2; goals against 5; GD -3

Statistical Leaders

Charleston: 

• Goals: Romario Williams (6)
• Assists: Justin Portillo (5)
• Points: Romario Williams (13) 

Harrisburg: 

• Goals: Aaron Wheeler (2)
• Assists: Jonathan Mendoza (1)
• Points: Aaron Wheeler (4)

Previous Match

Charleston Battery vs Atlanta Silverbacks (W | 2-1, Silverbacks Stadium)

• Charleston goals: Forrest Lasso (19), Jeffery Otoo (43) 
• Atlanta goals: Alex Harlley (73)

Harrisburg City Islanders vs. Ocean City Nor’Easters (D [6-5 pen] | Carey Stadium)

• Harrisburg goals: none
• Ocean City goals: none 

CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston Battery will welcome Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Atlanta United, Columbus Crew SC, and Minnesota United FC to MUSC Health Stadium this coming February for the 2018 Carolina Challenge Cup (CCC).

This year’s CCC will be the 14th staging of the tournament. The Charleston Battery first held CCC in 2004, becoming one of the first lower-division American soccer clubs to host multiple MLS teams for preseason. The tournament has offered soccer fans in South Carolina the opportunity to see international superstars play in Charleston for more than a decade.

The 2018 Challenge Cup will feature two of MLS’ newest franchises and one of its oldest. The Battery will welcome back Atlanta United and reigning CCC champions, Columbus Crew SC, for the second consecutive year, while Minnesota United will make their first ever trip to Charleston.

“We’re really excited about this year’s Challenge Cup,” said Eric Bowman, Charleston Battery’s Chairman. “We’ve put together a great tournament that will feature some of the best teams and players in Major League Soccer. We’re looking forward to providing another unforgettable experience for soccer fans here in Charleston.”

With a 5,100 seat capacity at MUSC Health Stadium, CCC offers soccer fans unmatchable interaction with some of Major League Soccer’s best. The 2018 Challenge Cup will showcase MLS stars including Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United), Josef Martínez (Atlanta United), Justin Meram (Columbus Crew SC), Ola Kamara (Columbus Crew SC) and Kevin Molino (Minnesota United).

The four participating teams will play in a round robin style tournament with doubleheaders on February 17, 21, and 24. The tentative match schedule is:

Saturday, February 17th
Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew SC (5:00 PM EST)
Charleston Battery vs. Minnesota United (7:30 PM EST)

Wednesday, February 21st  [DOLLAR BEER NIGHT]
Charleston Battery vs. Columbus Crew SC (5:00 PM EST)
Atlanta United vs. Minnesota United (7:30 PM EST)

Saturday, February 24th
Columbus Crew SC vs. Minnesota United (5:00 PM EST)
Charleston Battery vs. Atlanta United (7:30 PM EST)

Charleston Battery Soccer Club will be hosting a youth tournament in conjunction with the MLS preseason tournament. For more information about the Youth Carolina Challenge Cup, visit chsbatterysc.com.  

All 2018 Season Ticket plans include CCC; season ticket packages are on sale now. Individual tickets for the 2018 CCC will be available for purchase beginning on Friday, October 20th. Single-day ticket start at $30, series passes include all six matches across three days and start at $65. Special rates for groups of 15 or more are available. To purchase tickets on October 20th, visit https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com or call 843-971-4625.

For more information on the 2018 Carolina Challenge Cup, visit https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com.

About Charleston Battery: Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer club based in Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the United Soccer League and, along with the Richmond Kickers, is the oldest continuously operating professional soccer club in the United States. In 1999, Charleston Battery moved into what is now known as MUSC Health Stadium, becoming the first non-Major League Soccer professional club in the United States to build its own stadium. Charleston Battery is one of the most successful lower division soccer teams in the nation, having previously won the USISL Pro League in 1996, the USL A-League in 2003, and the final season of the USL Second Division in 2010.  In 2012, the team won the USL Pro Championship. For more information on the Charleston Battery, visit https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com, call 843-971-GOAL, Facebook (Charleston Battery), Tweet (@Chas_Battery) or Instagram (CharlestonBattery).

About MUSC Health Stadium: Completed in April 1999 as Blackbaud Stadium, MUSC Health Stadium is the first privately funded soccer-specific stadium constructed in the United States during the modern era. Styled after the classic English soccer experience, the stadium seats 5,100 and offers fans an unmatched environment with a 3,000 sq ft jumbotron, superb sight-lines, concessions, and a plush English-styled pub, The Three Lions Club. Additionally, the complex includes sky boxes, a plaza for corporate entertaining, and a full production studio, making it one of the premier professional soccer venues in the United States. The stadium is a hub for the community and is donated for a wide variety of charitable and philanthropic events throughout the year. The facility also functions as a major concert venue in the Southeast and has been the site for various musical events, including the Southern Ground Music & Food Festival featuring Zac Brown Band. In July 2015, the Charleston Battery and MUSC Health announced a five-year stadium-naming rights agreement.

This week’s Blackbaud Nonprofit of the Match is Pet Helpers. Pet Helpers’ is a 501(c)3 Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic that serves communities across the Lowcountry. Our mission is to end the euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs by keeping all animals until adopted; providing low cost spay/neuter surgeries; offering humane education programs; pursuing animal-cruelty prosecution; and initiating animal-welfare legislation.

For 38 years, Pet Helpers has focused on the needs of homeless animals. Through a commitment to quality sheltering and required spay/neuter, the organization has worked tirelessly to save those animals that are without human guardianship.

Pet Helpers service the entire Lowcountry, where we are the only independent adoption shelter and veterinary center of our kind, that is fully-staffed and maintains regular business hours. Pet Helpers answers 20,000 calls a year to provide assistance and information to the public concerning animal issues.

The organization’s annual gala, Fur Ball, will be held on October 28th at the Charleston Marriott at 6:30 PM. Tickets cost $150 and are on sale now at pethelpers.org. All proceeds from the event go back to the animals.

Pet Helpers is always accepting donations of any kind and volunteers. Monetary donations go towards Dixie’s Fund, the organization’s fund specifically dedicated to helping injured animals and providing bedding, towels, and food for dogs and cats.

Heviel Cordoves’ sixth goal in six games lifted a 10-man Charleston Battery to a 1-1 draw with Ottawa Fury FC at TD Place Stadium Sunday afternoon. The draw moves Charleston into second place in the USL Eastern Conference and secures a spot in the playoffs.

Ottawa struck first early on in the match following a Battery turnover at midfield. After the turnover, the hosts countered quickly through their captain, Carl Haworth. Haworth found space on the right flank and drove a low cross into Steevan Dos Santos whose first effort was blocked, but slotted home the rebound in the end.  

Ottawa kept Charleston’s back four under immense pressure following the opening goal, seeing more of the ball and creating quality chances in the attacking third. Forrest Lasso was shown his second yellow card in the 59th minute, forcing the Battery to play down a man for the final half hour.

Despite numerical disadvantage, Charleston battled back with the help of Cordoves. Looking for an injection of energy, Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser brought Cordoves off the bench in the 75th minute.  

Cordoves drew the two sides level in the 86th minute with a brilliant individual effort. After receiving a cross-field pass from Romario Williams, Cordoves flicked the ball over his defender’s head and hit a weak-footed volley into the top corner of Callum Irving’s goal. The goal was the Cuban striker’s seventh of the year and sixth in as many games. Cordoves has now scored six of the Battery’s last seven goals.

Following the playoff-clinching draw in Ottawa, Charleston will return home to play the Harrisburg City Islanders in their final regular season match at MUSC Health Stadium. The match against the City Islanders is scheduled for October 7th at 7:00 PM.

CHARLESTON – Odisnel Cooper, Quinton Griffith, Taylor Mueller, Forrest Lasso (yellow card, 40; 59), Jarad van Schaik, Maikel Chang (Heviel Cordoves, 75; goal, 86), Justin Portillo, Neveal Hackshaw (yellow card, 29; Skylar Thomas, 62), Kotaro Higashi (Nico Rittmeyer, 84), Ataulla Guerra, Romario Williams

Unused substitutes – Joe Kuzminsky, Ryan Arambula, Ricky Garbanzo, Tah Brian Anunga

OTTAWA – Callum Irving, Eddie Edward, Ramon Del Campo, Kyle Venter, Onua Obasi, Jamar Dixon (yellow card, 36; Lance Rozeboom, 75), Gerardo Bruna, Carl Haworth, Azake Luboyera (Adonijah Reid, 7), Steevan Dos Santos (goal, 16), Nick DePuy

Unused substitutes – David Paulmin, Jonathan Barden, Andrae Campbell, Sito Seoane, Ryan Williams

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Tickets for the 2017 ACC Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships are now on sale. The semifinals and finals of the Women’s Championship and the final of the Men’s Championship will be held at MUSC Health Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina.

Both the semifinals and the finals of the ACC Women’s Soccer Championship will be held at MUSC Health Stadium for the second straight year. The semifinals will be played at 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3. The winners of the semifinals will advance to the ACC Championship match on Nov. 5 at noon. The men’s final will be played the following weekend on Sunday, Nov. 12 at noon.

The women’s semifinals will be available on Regional Sports Networks (RSN), while both finals will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

ACC Series Passes cost $20 and include tickets to all four matches across both weekends. Single-day adult general admission tickets are $10. Admission is free for youth ages 18 and under and students of ACC institutions.

In 2016, MUSC Health Stadium played host to North Carolina, Florida State, Clemson, and Notre Dame on the women’s side, with the Seminoles topping the Tar Heels in the championship match following 4-3 ledger on penalty kicks. On the men’s side, Wake Forest defeated Clemson in the final.

To purchase tickets, visit: https://tickets.https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com/.

The ACC continues to be the home of the best college soccer in the country. Last year, the men set an NCAA record with nine teams earning bids to the NCAA Tournament, while seven teams earned bids on the women’s side.