Charleston, SC. -The Charleston Battery head to Atlanta this weekend to face their number one rival the Atlanta Silverbacks. One of the biggest rivalries in the A-League, this game promises to be one of the most exciting in the division. Expecting their largest crowd of the season, Atlanta is 0-3 this season versus Charleston, and wants to defeat a team in front of a home crowd that desires a victory over Charleston more than any other team in the league. With the August 12 come from behind 3-2 defeat at Blackbaud Stadium fresh on their minds, when the Battery scored two goals within one minute of stoppage time to brake down a resilient defensive effort, Atlanta is eager for revenge. But the stadium will not be filled with just Silverbacks fans, also on hand at the big game will be the official supporters club of the Battery, the Regiment. Forever faithful, these dedicated fans will be making the trek to DeKalb Memorial Stadium for the eagerly awaiting showdown..
Rivalry aside, this should be an action packed high-scoring game, pairing the two highest scoring teams in the Atlantic division versus one another. The Battery leads the division with 53 goals scored and 12 bonus points. The Silverbacks are close behind and looking to lessen the gap with 46 goals and 7 bonus points. More importantly, it is the final push for the playoffs and the Battery needs only four more points to ensure home field advantage during round one of the playoffs. Also high in the Battery's mind is that they are only a point out from Richmond and if they are able to win the division they will be the number one seed in the conference, earning them the right to home field advantage throughout the playoffs. With only two wildcard spots available in the conference, this is the biggest game of the season for Atlanta. They need this win in order to help solidify their positioning and earn a spot as one of two wildcards in the upcoming playoffs. Rivalry, skill and action will all work together this weekend at Dekalb Memorial Stadium making this game one not to be missed.
Atlanta Preview: The Silverbacks feature two of the leagues highest scores, Iggy Moleka and Patrick Beech. Forward Iggy Moleka has scored 13 goals and has 5 assists tying him up for seventh in the league and making him a man to watch. However, Jamaican Forward, Patrick Beech, sixth in the league with 14 goals and 4 assists, is currently injured with an ankle injury and is questionable for play this Saturday. The two hottest Silverbacks players right now are former Duke star Forward Josh Henderson and Midfielder Brian Piesner, a rookie on loan from MLS team the Dallas Burn. With a strong offensive arsenal ex-Battery coach and Silverback headman Nuno Pitiera has helped solidify the Silverback back line with the move from midfield of former USC All-American Tony Soto. Soto has looked very comfortable in his new central defender role with the 'Backs and has helped newly acquired goalkeeper, David Winner establish himself in the side. A former Columbus Crew (MLS) reserve keeper, Winner has steadily been growing comfortable marshalling the Atlanta defense and had a big game at Blackbaud Park in the 3-2 August 12 overtime loss to the Battery making a number of key second half stops to keep the 'Backs in front until late in the game.
Battery Team News: The depth of the Battery squad will truly be tested Saturday night with the loss of Forward Velko Iotov and Midfielder Dean Sewell. Bulgarian striker Iotov, also known as the "Maestro" to his teammates, will be out for the rest of the season with a torn hamstring that he suffered during the Friday, August 18 game vs. the Long Island Rough Riders. Jamaican Dean Sewell has been called up by the Jamaican National Team for play in an International Friendly game vs. Grand Cayman on Sunday, August 27. Still questionable is Todd Miller's availability for play this weekend. Miller was unable to attend last weekend's road games as he and his wife are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first-born child. In top form right now are Forwards, Paul Conway and Mac Cozier, and Midfielder, Temoc Suarez. Conway who has been hot all season and is currently fourth in the League with 35 points (14 goals, 7 assists). Cozier, since returning from a torn hamstring suffered early in the season, has been steadily moving up the A-League scoring list (9 goals, 4 assists) and is showing the form that earned him first team All A-League honors in 1999 while he played for the Jacksonville Cyclones. Charleston native and midfield playmaker Temoc Suarez is tied for first in the A-League with 10 assists, also good for a tie for the all-time single season Battery assist record held by Chris Veselka (1995 season). Suarez is well known by Silverbacks fans who saw him score 4 goals in 3 games for the 'Backs in 1999 on loan from the Dallas Burn (MLS) and start the scoring in the April 15 season opening 2-0 Battery victory over Atlanta with a world class swerving free kick from 25 yards. Rookie Midfielder Daniel Alvarez is also expected to see action for the first time versus his former A-League club, the Atlanta Silverbacks this Saturday. The 1999 Southern Conference Player of the Year and two-time first team All-American at Furman, Alvarez has settled in nicely to the Battery line-up after returning to the US from a trial with German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
What: Charleston Battery V Atlanta Silverbacks
When: Saturday, August 26 at 7:30 pm.
Where: Dekalb Memorial Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Both games will be aired live on the Charleston Battery Skatells Radio Network 910am WTMZ and on world wide web at www.charlestonbattery.com.
Next Game: The Battery return home to play Carolina rival Raleigh Express on Friday, September 1. The gates open at 6:30 pm and kick-off is at 7:30 pm. The first 750 fans through the gates will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of Sprint PCS. For more information call 971-GOAL or go on-line to www.charlestonbattery.com.
