Battery Open Season on the road against Miami FC
Posted 06:53 p.m., April 11, 2008
Not sure if my advance story is going to make Saturday’s paper because of space issues.
So, just in case, here it is:
The Charleston Battery will open its 2008 USL First Division season on the road against the Miami FC Blues tonight.
The Battery is hoping to rebound from last season’s disappointing 8-15-5 mark and return to the USL First Division postseason.
“The goal every year is to make the playoffs and compete for a championship,” said Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser. “That’s no different this season.”
The Battery signed four new players earlier in the week – defender Nelson Akwari and midfielders Jordan Hughes, David Kenga and Dominic Cianciarulo.
The Battery will be without two key players – midfielders Lazo Alavanja and Stephen Armstrong – against Miami. Alavanja and Armstrong are involved in the Major Indoor Soccer League’s playoffs.
Armstrong led the Battery with 22 points during the 2007 season on 10 goals and two assists. Alavanja was third on the team in scoring with 10 points on two goals and six assists.
“With Stephen and Lazo out of the lineup it’s going to give some other guys a chance to step up and get some minutes while those guys are finishing up their indoor season,” Anhaeuser said. “We feel like we’ve got some players that can step up and make a positive impact and hopefully get us a good result against Miami.”
Depending on the outcome in the MISL playoffs, both players could be in the lineup for next week’s home opener against Seattle. The Battery will face the Sounders, the defending USL First Division champions, next Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Of all the four new guys the Battery signed on Thursday, Akwari has the most impressive resume. Sounds like he got lost in the shuffle last season after getting released by Utah.
Akwari played 12 games for USL Second Division Charlotte Eagles in 2007. He has also played for Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake, the Columbus Crew and the NY MetroStars. Akwari’s MLS Career totals include 78 games played for a total of, 5,408 minutes. Akwari played for Real Salt Lake from 2005 through the early part of 2007.
Prior to Salt Lake, Akwari was a member of the Columbus Crew from 2003 -2004 and was part of the team that won the 2004 MLS Supporters Shield. Akwari began his pro career with the MetroStars in 2002.
A native of Houston, TX, Akwari attended UCLA; he represented the United States at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels and played at the 2001 World Youth Championship in Argentina.
See you on the Pitch,
APM
Comments
Posted by Mikey on April 11 at 10:51 p.m.
thanks for putting it here even if it doesnt make the paper.
Akwari should be a good, if not better, replacement for Stewart.
Up the Battery!!!
Posted by ambulance4robben on April 12 at 9:35 a.m.
I appreciate the Akwari resume...it does sound like he was lost in the shuffle. I look forward to seeing him play!
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