Battery eyes prized points on the road

It's a common strategy for most soccer teams in the USL First Division to crawl into a defensive shell and play for the tie when they're playing on the road.

It's not a tactic that Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser necessarily embraces all the time.

"I think you have to be more secure defensively when you're playing on the road," Anhaeuser said. "You don't want to open things up like you might at home, but at the same time you don't want to stop attacking, either. I think a lot of teams tend to get into a defensive shell and just forget about pushing the ball forward. I think that mentality ends up hurting you in the end. We certainly don't play for the tie when we go on the road."

After opening the season with four straight home games, Charleston (1-1-2, 5 points) will get its first chance to show what it can do on the road this Saturday when the Battery takes on the expansion Carolina RailHawks in Cary, N.C.

"A lot of teams do play for the tie when they're on the road," Anhaeuser said. "If you can keep the home team from getting three points, while getting your team a point, that's huge. Those points you get on the road are crucial. Those points you get on the road can be the difference in getting into the playoffs or not making it."

SAS Soccer Park in Cary is a field the Battery is all too familiar with, having played there three times last year. Charleston faced the U.S. National team in a scrimmage last summer and played exhibition matches against D.C. United and Rochester.

"It's a great facility and a great field," Anhaeuser said. "The guys are pretty familiar with it, so it won't be so bad to go up there and play. It's not like we've got to travel across the country to play our first road game."

Both teams posted their first wins of the season last weekend. Charleston beat Miami FC, 2-0, while Carolina beat Atlanta, 2-1.

"I think both teams are going to come in with a lot of confidence," Anhaeuser said.

Chin honored

Midfielder Gordon Chin was named to the USL First Division team of the week for the second time this month.Chin had an assist on Byron Alvarez's goal in the second half of the Battery's 2-0 win over Miami FC. Chin has a goal and an assist in two games.

"He missed the first couple of games of the season with a bad hip, but since then he's been a dominant player for us," Anhaeuser said.

Injury update

The Battery will be without forwards Jordan Hughes (leg) and Ian Fuller (leg) this weekend. Both returned to training this week, but are not match fit.

"Both should be available next week against Atlanta (May 26)," Anhaeuser said.

Defender Kevin Nylen, who broke a leg during the preseason, had his cast removed this week.

"Hopefully, Kevin will be back by the middle of June," Anhaeuser said.

Reach Andrew Miller at apmiller@postandcourier.com.