So what does it take to set up a tournament like the Carolina Challenge Cup? Do you just pick up the phone and call Kevin Payne?
"DC United contacted us" says Nigel Cooper, president and general manager of the Charleston Battery.
And owning your own soccer specific stadium, like Blackbaud, and a full time staff makes organizing easier.
"Originally we were going to have a sort-of Champions Cup" Cooper continued involving the US Open Cup Champions, the Chicago Fire, MLS Champions, San Jose Earthquakes, and the Pro Select League Champions, the Wilmington Hammerheads. But then the CONCACAF Champ Cup's dates were released and both Chicago and San Jose had dates for that tournament around the same time
"Peter Wilt tried to get the dates changed" said Cooper, but in the end the Battery had to find two more opponents to play and the original idea had to change.
"We have dealt with MLS teams in the past and knew who to talk to," Cooper said. "We approached several MLS teams," including Los Angeles, Dallas and Columbus. That's when DC contacted the Battery and the potential draw of Freddy Adu was enough to add them to bill.
Labeled the Carolina Challenge Cup, the four teams will be playing in a round robin tournament in which the winner takes home an antique, silver cup.
"The cup is antique silver and dates back to the 1880s" claims Cooper, purchased by Battery majority owner, Tony Bakker.
The hope is the winner will return next season to defend the cup, making the Carolina Challenge Cup an annual event.
And who might that Champion be? Both DC and Columbus have been in preseason for the last six weeks. The Battery started their preseason last week. DC has had a hard time finding the back of the net this preseason and their midfield, while having tremendous potential to control a match, hasn't quite found their grove yet according to reports. Columbus look to have the most threatening strike duo with a solid back line and look to be a team to watch this season. But don't expect DC and Columbus to walk over the Battery and Wilmington. Players will be looking to impress the coach for a starting spot. And Charleston has always had a stingy defense capable of holding off the most ferocious attacks.
"It's called the Challenge Cup for good reason," said Crew Head Coach Greg Andrulis in an article on the Crew's official website. "It will be challenging for everybody. We're certainly looking forward to getting down there and building upon what we've done this spring"
So while it may appear the MLS teams have the advantage, there are many factors that don't necessarily play into normal season play. And that should make the Carolina Challenge Cup an interesting affair.
Ticket sells are going well for the Carolina Challenge Cup with over 1700 sold as of March 9th. But what else do Battery fans have to look forward to this season?
"We are 99% sure that we will be having a top European team for an exhibition here in July," says Cooper. And Blackbaud Stadium will be hosting an A-league select team that will be playing an England XI team, similar to an all-star game sometime this summer as well.
Season ticket look to surpass last years mark and Cooper hopes they will reach over 2000 this season.
With a preseason tournament like the Carolina Challenge Cup to start off the season, and an organization like the Charleston Battery continually trying to improve on their product both on and off the field, 2004 looks to be a good year for soccer fans in the Lowcountry.
