Charleston Battery News Release - www.charlestonbattery.com

Monday, July 21, 2008

CHARLESTON, SC -- The Charleston Battery heads to the West Coast this week for a pair of USL First Division matches. Wednesday night Charleston squares off against the Vancouver Whitecaps in a top of the table clash (10 PM, REAL 1340AM), then on Saturday the Battery takes on the Seattle Sounders (11 PM, REAL 1340AM) in a preview of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal fixture scheduled for August 12 at Blackbaud Stadium.

Charleston leaves Blackbaud Stadium in first place in the USL First Division with a record of 9-4-3, 30 points. The Battery defeated the Portland Timbers on Saturday night by a score of two goals to none; Darren Spicer and Stephen Armstrong supplied the goals.

The Vancouver Whitecaps (7-4-3, 24 points) are in third position in the league, six points behind the Battery however Vancouver has two games in-hand. Wednesday night’s match is an opportunity for some revenge for the Battery who lost 2-0 to the Whitecaps in a game played at Blackbaud Stadium on May 28.

Vancouver visits Charleston for the third game of the three match series between the Club’s on August 3.

The Whitecaps last USL1 fixture was a 1-1 tie versus the Carolina RailHawks on July 13. Vancouver’s last win in the league came on June 7 with a 3-1 home win versus Portland.

Saturday night the Battery head to Seattle for an 11 PM fixture versus the defending USL1 champs the Seattle Sounders. This will be the third game of the season between the teams, after playing to a 1-1 tie on April 19 the Battery defeated Seattle 1-0 on July 5.

Seattle (5-5-8, 23 points, 5th) visits the Minnesota Thunder Thursday night before returning to Starfire Soccer Complex for the game against the Battery.

In addition to the implications for the USL First Division the match versus the Sounders is also a preview of the big U.S. Open Cup semifinal fixture featuring Charleston and Seattle on August 12.

This weeks fixtures:
Charleston Battery @ Vancouver Whitecaps
Wednesday, July 23, 10PM EST
Swangard Stadium
LISTEN: REAL 1340 AM / USLLive.com

Charleston Battery @ Seattle Sounders
Saturday, July 26, 10 PM EST
Starfire Soccer Complex
LISTEN: REAL 1340 AM / USLLive.com

Next Home Game:
Charleston Battery vs Vancouver Whitecaps
Sunday, August 3
Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island
Gates 4:30 PM – kick off 6 PM
$8 - $15, 971-GOAL (4625) / www.charlestonbattery.com