Let me say this for a lot of the fans around the league who haven't said it; the loss of Eric Wynalda opens things up a lot more for the chasing pack behind Charleston. Now let me move along as I contradict that statement. If there is one thing that we know it is that Tony Bakker knows how to spend money on his Battery with an eye to increasing their chances for a championship. Losing Wynalda will not deter his charges from that task.
For those wondering what I'm talking about here let's run down the list of players in the Charleston clubhouse. First you have to think of the returning talent that includes Dusty Hudock, a man who is often forgotten in Charleston's rearguard, John Wilson, one of the league's classiest defenders, and Paul Conway, one of the guys who has scored bagloads of goals since landing back on American shores. These are just a few of the guys who provide a solid core of returning players for the boys from the 'Baud.
Let's not forget the players that were brought in to finally push the Battery over the top in their fight to win the title. Names such as Terry Phelan, Linval Dixon, Andrew Lewis, and Mark Watson head the list of prominent players who have plied their trade with clubs in higher ranked leagues in the past. All of them will wear the stripes of the Coppertops this season and all will look to have something for their mantle by the end of the year.
Then there's the additional news announced this week that Justin Evans and, wait for it, Raul Diaz Arce were coming on board the Blackbaud ship. Diaz Arce brings that marquee presence back to Charleston after the loss of Wynalda but the big questions will loom once again about team chemistry among the big signings. The fans and players have to feel also that there is an increasing amount of pressure on this club to come up with some silverware. While all involved with running the Battery are nice ladies and gents I hardly imagine they'll continue to pay out the nose for a side that gets knocked out of the playoffs in the first round every year.
That being said, there will be a pang of disappointment among the Battery faithful in not getting to see Waldo perform some of his tricks in meaningful games this year. In exchange they will get the pleasure of watching RDA and Conway attempt to co-exist on the same field at the same time… unless a nagging injury that held Conway out of some pre-season action is more serious than originally thought. That is a thought that most fans in Charleston do not want to contemplate.
Now, the fans in Charleston will turn their eyes forward toward Saturday, April 27th and their season opening meeting with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The Riverhounds will bring their own 'name' players to the 'Baud with the return of Ricardo Irribaren and possibly Mario Gori to the starting lineup after an injury kept them sidelined in last week's opener against Toronto. Pittsburgh will look to keep the Battery attack at bay with a stout defense and a midfield that should be able to track back to defend well. If they elect to play with a counterattacking style it could be a long night for the Battery.
In the end of it, though, this should provide an outstanding start to the A-League season for the Battery as they begin their quest for their first A-League championship. This game provides a strong test to determine where the Battery and Riverhounds both are at this early stage of the year. These are two teams that expect to make the playoffs and do a few things in the postseason.
Now, as the Battery face their future, they will need to know that losing a player like Eric Wynalda is a problem best faced at the start than at the end. Let's just hope that there's more that people like me will talk about in the future concerning this team than the loss of the former U.S. National Team star. Oh wait, there's some guy named Raul Diaz Arce or something like that who the Battery just picked up. I wonder if he's any good?
FSW Debuts A-League Coverage
Tonight the A-League will make its regular season debut on Fox Sports World with the Charlotte Eagles hosting the Atlanta Silverbacks. Rumors already place several USL officials in Charlotte for tonight's match as they anxiously await the result of the first regular season broadcast. This is a huge boost in PR for the USL and will be a welcome addition to the Friday night viewing (or taping) habits of the living room bound A-League fans around the country.
The result on the field tonight may not be all that important in the end as opposed to how it looks on television. Then again, you have to wonder if the USL isn't banking on a night full of 'Iggy' versus 'Whitey' to entertain fans that have yet to see these guys play. For those who have yet to see Iggy Moleka or Dustin 'Whitey' Swinehart you will be in for a treat and some surprises as both of these teams feature quality players you may not have heard of before. So sit back with your favorite cold beverage in hand and enjoy the opening night of the A on FSW.
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