Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery resume A-League regular season play when they travel to North Carolina to face the Raleigh Express on Wednesday night at WRAL Stadium. The Battery take a three game win streak into Raleigh looking to keep pace with the Richmond Kickers at the top of the Atlantic Division standings. The Battery have found their form at home recently and have taken advantage of a three game home stand to claim 14 out of a possible 15 points in the competitive Atlantic Division standings and have stretched their undefeated home record to seven games (6-0-1), the best in club history. During the three-game run, the Battery toppled two teams that were Division leaders, Hampton Roads and El Paso, and knocked off a team (Pittsburgh) on a five game win streak. The Express is also riding a three-game streak of their own, winning their last three home games behind stellar goalkeeping from Chris Lewis since two straight ties in May against the Battery (3-3) and the defending A-League Champion Minnesota Thunder (0-0). The Battery are 1-3-1 on the road in the 2000 season, claiming six points in five games and share the distinction of a sub 0.500 away record with every team in the Division.
In the month of June, Battery forward Paul Conway has risen to the top of the A-League goal scoring leader board with a league best 8 goals in 11 starts. Conway has benefited from the increased confidence that has kick started Battery midfielder Temoc Suarez to a team high and League second best 7 assists. The 1997 A-League Goalkeeper of the Year, Dusty Hudock, has produced solid performances all season long for the Battery in the nets, keeping all but one team (Raleigh Express) from earning a bonus point for scoring three goals against the high scoring Battery. A rash of injuries has tested the depth of the Battery squad lately, but after the Raleigh game they have a weekend break to give the team a chance to regain health. The Battery are likely to benefit from the services of Bulgarian midfielder Ivailo Ilarionov this Wednesday, a player that is very capable of providing a spark to the already potent offense. Ilarionov has been hobbled by a hamstring pull that forced him out of the last two games and has limited his playing time in June. Also possible is Bulgarian striker Velko Iotov. Iotov has suffered a number of injuries this season, the latest a high ankle ligament strain that has kept him out for four games including the Open Cup loss to defending MLS Champion DC United. Iotov, an experienced, powerful and talented forward, provides the Battery with another quality attacking option that the team will look to use for the Division Championship chase over the second half of the season that starts in July. Iotov is expected to be available for selection by Battery coach Alan Dicks against Raleigh on Wednesday night. Out of action is experienced defender Kevin Scott with a bruised right shin and former Major League midfielder Braeden Cloutier with a slight knee strain. Both players are expected to be available next week for the Battery's two home games on July 4 versus Indiana and July 8 against the Hampton Roads Mariners.
What: Charleston Battery V Raleigh Express.
A-League Atlantic Division regular season action.
When: Wednesday June 28, 7:00pm.
Where: WRAL Stadium, Raleigh, NC.
The Game will be aired live on the Charleston Battery Skatells Radio Network 910am WTMZ starting at 6:45pm or on the web at www.charlestonbattery.com.
Next Game: The Battery return home on Tuesday July 4 to play the Indiana Blast from the Central Division. It will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. Kickoff is at 7:30pm and fans will be treated to a post game fireworks show sponsored by Care Alliance Health Services.
