Confidence Building for Battery
Posted 10:48 a.m., May 14, 2008
Confidence is a funny thing.
A player or team with confidence is almost unbeatable. Two or three weeks ago, the Charleston Battery was 0-1-2 and things didn’t look very good.
Fast forward to this week and Charleston is riding a two-game winning streak and now the Battery looks to be a contender in the next World Cup.
Again, confidence is a funny and fickle mistress for a professional athlete.
Talking with several of the players after Tuesday’s training session and to a man they believe they’ve got a team that can compete for a USL First Division championship this season. Defensively, the Battery is much better than they were a year ago with the addition of Marco Reda, Nelson Akwari and John Wilson in the back. Keeper Dusty Hudock just gets better with age. I asked defender Kevin Nylen about the defense and he said it was “like night and day” from last year. “Everyone knows their role and everyone is thinking defense first.”
Add to that, the scoring touch of Randi Patterson and an improved Aaron King and as long as the Battery can stay healthy, they’ve got a chance to beat anybody in the league.
Speaking of Patterson, he was named the USL First Division player of the week after scoring two goals Saturday night against Miami FC. Patterson has three goals in his last two games. Midfielder Mike Richardson was named to the USL First Division team of the week following his two assists in the game against Miami FC.
The Battery, which has outscored its last two opponents at home, 5-1, takes on Montreal tonight at Blackbaud Stadium (7:30 p.m. kick-off).
Now, the Impact is a frustrating team to play against when they’re the road team. The Impact rarely attacks. They sit back and clog up the defensive side of the field and then wait for you to make a mistake. They also are a ball possession team that likes to play “keep away” and frustrate you into making a mistake. In other words, the Impact plays not to lose on the road. It’s sound strategy, but if a team is patient enough, there are holes to be found in their defense.
This will be the Impact’s sixth road game. Montreal doesn’t have their home opener until Monday against Vancouver, so they’re already a tested road team.
Speaking of injuries, Stephen Armstrong continues to be sidelined with an ankle injury. He’s likely to miss next week as well. I don’t think people realize how grueling the indoor season can be on a player. Midfielder Chris Corcoran will most likely miss tonight’s game, but could be available for selection this weekend against Rochester.
Other than those two, the Battery is a relatively healthy team right now.
Congratulations are in order for Battery assistant coach Mark Watson. Mark and his wife, Hannah, welcomed the birth of their first child – a son Cullen – late Monday night. Cullen was seven pounds, six ounces. Watson family is doing well.
Also, Battery President Andrew Bell said the Three Lions Club will be open on May 21 (that’s next Wednesday afternoon) for the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea. The kickoff is set for 2:45 p.m. Bell said he’s not sure if the kitchen will be open, but there will be plenty to drink and more than enough TVs to watch the game. Everyone is invited to play hooky from work on Wednesday.
If you want to see highlights of past Battery matches during the regular season you can go to http://usl.playonsports.tv/. You have to pay to watch, but the highlights, along with play-by-play commentary, are TV quality and well worth the small price of admission.
See you on the Pitch,
APM
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