Battery applauds expanded, more balanced schedule

PROVIDED BY CHARLESTON BATTERY

Midfielder Ian Fuller is one of the players returning to play for the Battery this season.

Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaueser said the 2008 USL First Division's schedule will be more balanced this year than in seasons past.

The Charleston Battery will play 30 games this season with 15 home games at Blackbaud Stadium. The USL First Division went to a 30-game schedule this season to allow the league's 11 teams to face each other three times. The Battery had played a 28-game USL First Division schedule for the past 11 seasons.

The Battery opens the USL First Division season on the road against Miami FC on April 12. The Battery's home opener is the following weekend against the Seattle Sounders on April 19.

"I like the idea of going to a 30-game schedule because it means that you play every team in the league three times," said Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser. "In the past you played every team at least twice and then you might play another team five times. The league did that to cut down on travel expenses, but this format I think will be more balanced because everyone essentially has the same schedule."

Much like a year ago, the Battery's schedule will be front-loaded with plenty of home games. The Battery will play seven of their first 10 games at home and finish the season with eight of their final 10 games on the road.

"A lot of the Northern teams want to come down here in April and May while it's cold up there and before it gets really hot down here," Anhaeuser said. "It puts a lot of pressure on us to perform well at home early in the season. But in the end, you have to play well at home no matter what time of year it is."

The Charleston Battery will host four games live on FOX Soccer Channel from Blackbaud Stadium against Miami FC (May 9), Minnesota Thunder (June 20), Puerto Rico Islanders (Aug. 29) and Carolina RailHawks (Sept. 19). Those games will all start at 8 p.m.

"It's great exposure for the players and the team," Anhaeuser said. "You know everyone in the league will be watching those games, so you want to get a good result."

The Battery will kick off the preseason with the Carolina Challenge Cup in March. The week-long tournament will feature three teams — New York, San Jose and Toronto — from Major League Soccer.

The Battery will take on New York on March 15; San Jose on March 19 and Toronto on March 22.

"The Carolina Challenge Cup is getting bigger and bigger each year," Anhaeuser said. "We've got a great field again this season."

Roster update

Anhaeuser said the team has signed about 14 players for the upcoming season.

Anhaeuser confirmed that three veteran players — Steve Armstrong, Ian Fuller and Dusty Hudock — will be back for the upcoming season.

Anhaeuser said he is still awaiting the paperwork and approval from the USL First Division before officially announcing the other players.

"We're just waiting to get the official word back from the league," Anhaeuser said.

"We've had some guys signed for a while, it's just getting all their paperwork back and getting the league to sign off on them. We should have something in the next couple of weeks. Everyone is trying to sign guys right now, so it has been pretty busy."

Anhaeuser said he hopes to sign about a dozen more players for the upcoming season.

"We usually get around 20-to-25 players for the start of training camp," Anhaeuser said. "We're on pace to sign that many again this season. Most of the marquee names from last year will be back. Our main turnover will be with some of the younger players we had last season."

The Battery will hold its second player trials on Feb. 22 and 23 at Blackbaud Stadium. The Battery held their first player trials two weeks ago.

"We had a good turnout and we were able to offer a couple of contracts," Anhaeuser said. "We usually find a player or two during the trials that are able to come in and make an impact for us. We'll have a little more talent in the second trial in February. That's when some of the guys will start getting released from some of the MLS teams."

In 2007, Charleston signed five players from its trials — Aaron King, Mike Richardson, Louie Rolko, Ian Bennett and Lee Sandwina.

Reach Andrew Miller at apmiller@postandcourier.com.