Charleston: Sunday, July 30th the Battery head to the heat of the desert sun for a 4:05pm (Eastern time) rematch with the El Paso Patriots (10-8-1). The Battery beat the Patriots 2-1 at Blackbaud Stadium on June 23, but now amidst the excruciating mid-afternoon desert heat, the Battery will have to reckon with one of the top scoring teams in the league who will be on home turf and eager for revenge. Inspiring the Patriots is their current third place position in the tough Pacific Division. Not only will they be looking to keep the pressure on the San Diego Flash who is at the top of the tightly contested group, but they will be set to even the series with the Battery. The Patriots are led by imposing Bulgarian World Cup veteran goalkeeper, Dimitar Popov, and playmaker Bisser Georgiev, two men who are eager to battle against Battery Bulgarian stars Velko Iotov, also a World Cup veteran, and Ivailo Ilarionov. When the two teams last competed the Battery's Iotov and Ilarionov were out with injuries leaving what was a highly anticipated "Battle of Bulgaria" never to happen. In addition, the Patriots line-up also features some explosive young American talent in the shape of towering target man Kevin Noleen, forward Mark Rowland, and the pace and skill of former Dallas Burn (MLS) rookie Kirk Wilson. But the Battery line-up will be newly bolstered since their last match-up against the Patriots with the addition of newcomers, Kevin Anderson, on-loan from Tampa Bay (MLS) and Daniel Alvarez, 1999 Southern Conference Player of the Year. Now they will meet in the heat of soccer-mad El Paso in front if a largely partisan Latin American crowd.
What: Charleston Battery V El Paso Patriots.
When: Sunday July 30, 4:05pm.
Where: Soccorro Stadium, El Paso, TX.
Next up: The Battery return for a three game home stand at Blackbaud Stadium during the first week of August. On Saturday, August 5, the Battery entertain future Major League hopefuls when the US Pro 40 come to town. On Wednesday, August 9, the Battery face a showdown against defending US Open Cup Champion Rochester Raging Rhinos, concluding the hectic week with the visit of archrival Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday August 12. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 971-GOAL, at Lloyds Sports in Mt. Pleasant or online at www.etix.com. Tickets are also available at the gate. Gates open at 6:30pm with Kickoffs scheduled for 7:30pm. Fans can enjoy the CareAlliance Health Services halftime show that will feature the Palmetto Stars dance team on August 5, with the first 500 adults receiving a free Budweiser tee-shirt compliments of Pearlstine distributors. One fan will have a chance to win $10,000 in the T-Bonz Kick for Cash contest.
