Anhaeuser confident goals will start flowing

Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser is a half-full kind of coach.

In three home games this season, the Battery has scored three goals, with one coming on a penalty kick. While Anhaeuser would like to see the team's hard work on the attack pay off a little more on the scoreboard, he's happy about the scoring chances the offense is generating.

"Last week against Rochester we probably created six or seven quality scoring chances and got one goal," he said. "Of those six or seven chances, four of them were probably inside the 6-yard box. You might go a month without creating that many scoring chances from that close in.

"I'd be worried if we had created just one scoring chance and gotten just one goal. To me, that's a bigger problem. We're getting the scoring chances, but right now, we're just a bit unlucky. I honestly believe that as the season goes on we're going to convert those chances and start putting the ball in the back of the net."

After a 0-0 tie against Minnesota in the season opener, the Battery lost to Montreal, 3-2, and was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw last weekend against Rochester. Against both Rochester and Montreal, the Battery created a good half-dozen scoring chances.

"Rochester and Montreal are traditionally two of the better defensive clubs in the league, so I'm very encouraged that we were able to get so many scoring chances against them," Anhaeuser said. "Montreal beat us because we were very sloppy defensively in the first half. It wasn't for a lack of offensive production. Rochester's goalie made three quality saves, so you've got to tip your hat to him. When we start playing some of the weaker defensive teams in the league, I think those chances will start going in for us."

Anhaeuser said the team has spent much of the week in training working on its finishing.

"There are little things you can do to make the guys a little more technical around the net," Anhaeuser said. "I think if we can get a bounce here or there to go our way, we'll start putting the ball in the back of the net."

Part of the problem has been the absence of Gavin Glinton and Ben Hollingsworth. They were the Battery's top two goal scorers a year ago, but both are no longer with the team. Glinton is playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, and Hollingsworth is still out with a broken foot.

"Byron Alvarez has done a great job up front for us," Anhaeuser said. "His work rate is tremendous. He has created a couple of really nice chances for other guys, and he'll get his share of goals. Michael Todd has played well, and I think Aaron King has come off the bench and been effective. I like what we've done so far up front. We just need to tuck a couple shots away and then we'll be OK."

Battery to take on Jamaican team

For the second straight year, the Battery will host Village United of the Jamaican Premier League in an exhibition match. The teams will meet June 9 at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Battery played Village United during its 2006 preseason and Charleston won, 2-1.

"We are excited to bring Village United back to Charleston to showcase more international soccer to the Lowcountry fans," Anhaeuser said. "Village provided a good test for us last year, and we look forward to playing them again in June."

Village United's roster will include Christopher Dawes and Theodore Whitmore, both of whom represented Jamaica in the 1998 World Cup and have combined for more than 170 caps for Jamaica in international competition. Other Jamaican national team players include William Wilson (midfield), Kirk Hendricks (central defender) and Jeff Pearce, a current member of the Jamaican national team.

In 2006, The Battery signed defender Shane Crawford from Village United. This year, the Battery brought in Jamaican national team striker Newton Sterling from the club for a trial but released him before the season.

Reach Andrew Miller at apmiller@postandcourier.com or 937-5599.