Charleston Battery

Charleston Battery
The Charleston Battery is based in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a professional soccer team for men, which was established in 1993. It had been a member of the PDSL when it was first formed. The Charleston Battery also joined the A-League in 1997.

The home of the Charleston Battery is the Blackbaud Stadium that was constructed in 1999. This is recognized as the very first professional soccer stadium for the USL First Division.

In 1996, the Charleston Battery won the PDSL championship. It also beat the Minnesota Thunder [3-0] to take the 2003 A-League championship. The team may play well on the field to win them their important games, but off the field, help comes through their supporter group that always helps to cheer them on and keep up the spirits of their fans. The official supporter group of the Charleston Battery is known as the Regiment.

Every time the Charleston Battery clashes with their archrivals, the DC United of Major League Soccer, they compete for a special trophy. The Coffey Pot Cup trophy came into being because of the supporters of both sides. By this, it is obvious how important the supporters and fan base are to both teams.

The Charleston Battery Youth Soccer:
The Charleston Battery Youth Soccer Programs are an organized way of catering to the higher club level needs. The youth programs help to train younger players through developing their skill level. This prepares a list of eligible young and skillful players who can fill available slots at the professional level when opportunities arise. The programs are designed to accommodate players from the age of 4 and above, and are meant to focus on developing and grooming players? technical, tactical, fitness, and mental levels in a challenging and safe environment.

Each young player goes home with a wealth of experience. They understand and appreciate the sport more with refined and developed techniques along with a higher level of self-confidence.

The Charleston Battery Soccer Complex:
All soccer programs conducted for the Charleston Battery Youth are carried out at the Charleston Battery Soccer Complex. This is located at Daniel Island, SC., and the center of all activity is at the Blackbaud Stadium. This stadium is second to none with its standards and facilities.

2007 Charleston Battery Kicks for Kids Program:
?Kicks for Kids? is a program that is designed to benefit the youth living in the tri-county area. This mainly includes all those that are at risk or in need. With community support and various dedicated community organizations, the Charleston Battery works to help the youth in this area. They provide them with free tickets, which means that the youth have an opportunity to be exposed to high quality soccer.

The Charleston Battery has an organized system through which they donate tickets. They usually donate them via the Charleston Battery public relations department. They reserve the right to permit exceptions, and this is carried out on a game-by-game basis.

Kicks for Kids Partner Benefits:
These partners include organizations that help towards the well being of youth in the area. Their role is to support disadvantaged children. They do not operate independently, as the Charleston Battery reviews all applications. Some of these organizations that work directly with the youth are known to receive top priority.

Current Status:
The Charleston Battery commenced its Open Cup 2007 campaign with a stunning 3-0 win over the Central Florida Kraze (PDL) on the 12th of June. It then beat the El Paso Patriots [1-0] on the 26th of June. Both victories were staged at Blackbaud Stadium during the second round.

In the third round, the Charleston Battery beat the Houston Dynamo [1-0]. This game was played at the Blackbaud Stadium on the 10th of July. Their midfielder, Stephen Armstrong, was the one to score this goal. It came through a penalty-kick, 108 minutes into the game. The Charleston Battery remains a formidable force during the 2007 season, and has a long list of talent to fuel the team for many future seasons.