CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston Battery hosts Major League Soccer's New York / New Jersey Metrostars Wednesday night, in a U.S. Open Cup second round match-up. The game will be played at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island; kick-off is set for 7:30pm. Charleston is undefeated at home in 2001 U.S. Open Cup matches with three wins and no losses. This is the first time the Battery has faced the Metrostars, who are currently in 2nd place in MLS's Eastern Division (6-3-5, 21 points).
Head Coach of the Charleston Battery, Alan Dicks is looking forward to the challenge,
"Cup games are special, particularly when you are matched against MLS sides. It's exciting for the players and its also great for our fans. We've done very well in this competition in the past, I've got a lot of confidence in this team, and I believe that on the night, we are good enough to beat anyone"
In 1999 the Charleston Battery progressed to the semi-finals of the U.S. Open Cup, defeating MLS powerhouse D.C. United 4-3 along the way. Charleston eventually lost to the MLS Colorado Rapids 3-0. In 2000 the Charleston Battery drew DC. United for a second time. United defeated Charleston on that occasion, by a score of four goals to none.
NY / NJ Metrostars
The Metrostars have also enjoyed considerable success in the U.S. Open Cup, achieving the semi-finals, on three of the four years that they have entered the competition. In 2000 the Metrostars lost in the semi-finals to the Miami Fusion by a score of three goals to two. In 1999 the Charleston Battery would have played NY / NJ in the quarterfinals of the competition, however the A-League Staten Island Vipers defeated the Metrostars in the third round, denying Charleston the opportunity.
The Metrostars roster contains some of the biggest names in U.S. soccer. Midfield great Tab Ramos has 87 caps for the U.S. Men's national team. His midfield partner, Ritchie Williams is a current member of the national team pool. Williams is training with the national team in preparation for Sundays crucial match vs Mexico, however he is expected to fly in for the game against Charleston. Goalkeeper, Tim Howard is widely considered one of the best young keepers in the U.S. He was the U.S. Olympic team goalkeeper in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Striker Adolfo Valencia has 60 caps for the Columbian national team and has played in Europe for Atletico Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany) and Reggiana (Italy).
The Metrostars are still looking for their first road win of the 2001 season (0-2-4). Last Saturday they lost 2-0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Metrostars 2001 points and scoring leader, is former USC Gamecock, Clint Mathis. Mathis scored 7 goals and added 5 assists (19 points) before tearing his ACL two weeks ago. The national team midfielder / striker is currently undergoing rehabilitation in California.
Tickets for this match ($8 - $15) are still available and can be purchased by calling the Charleston Battery ticket hot-line, 971-GOAL or by visiting www.charlestonbattery.com. The Charleston Battery ticket office at Blackbaud Stadium will be open from 9 am Wednesday morning.
For More Information, Contact:
Andrew Bell, Media Director
Charleston Battery
(843) 971-GOAL
Fax - (843) 856-6958
Andrew.Bell@CharlestonBattery.com
Holland Williams, Media Contact
Rawle-Murdy Associates
(843) 577-7327
hwilliams@rawle-murdy.com
