Battery's depth to be put to test against City Stars

Mike Anhaeuser believes this might be the deepest team he's ever had in his five years as head coach of the Charleston Battery.

He'll definitely find out tonight.

The Battery could be without as many as four starters when they take on the Cleveland City Stars at 7:30 p.m. at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Battery is expected to be without striker Dan Antoniuk (hamstring) and midfielders Stephen Armstrong (ankle), Tsuyoshi Yoshitake (hamstring) and Tyler Hemming (Canadian National Team) when they take on the City Stars.

"One of the reasons you want to have plenty of depth on any team is for games like this," Anhaueser said. "I thought coming into the season we had about as much depth as we've ever had and that depth will be tested against Cleveland."

The Battery managed to beat Rochester, 2-0, last weekend despite being without Antoniuk, Armstrong and Yoshitake for most of the game. Yoshitake left the game in the fifth minute.

"That was a good result for us on a lot of levels," Anhaeuser said. "I think that showed the kind of quality depth we've got against a very good team."

Replacing Antoniuk up top will be Darren Spicer, who had a goal in the Battery's 1-0 over Miami FC Blues.

"Darren nearly got another one against Rochester, so he's playing very well," Anhaeuser said.

Chris Williams, Kenji Treschuk and Scott Buete will fill in for Hemming, Armstrong and Yoshitake.

"All three of those guys have a lot of experience in the midfield in this league," Anhaeuser said. "Certainly those guys are capable of getting the job done."

Hemming will miss the game after getting called up to the Canadian National team for its match tonight against Cyprus in Larnaca.

"It's a great opportunity for Tyler," Anhaeuser said. "We're hoping that Tyler will get his first cap with the full national team. He's been playing very well for us."

Anhaeuser said he's hoping to have Antoniuk, Armstrong, Hemming and Yoshitake back in the lineup for next weekend's doubleheader with Austin.

"Dan has looked good in training and should definitely be available next week," Anhaeuser said. "Stephen has started to run and bike some this week and could be ready to go against Austin. Tyler will be back in the middle of the week. Yoshitake might need another week, but he has started to run."

Also, defender O'Brian Woodbine, who has missed the entire season with a broken foot, has started to train lightly with the team this week.

"We've got our fingers crossed with O'Brian," Anhaeuser said. "He'd be another guy that would give us some depth in the back."

Cleveland (1-4-1, 4 points) enters the weekend in 10th position in the USL First Division. The City Stars lost, 3-0, in their last match against the Carolina RailHawks in Cleveland.

Cleveland's lone win was a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Thunder in a game played in Cleveland on May 16. The City Stars are led by first-year head coach Rod Underwood. Underwood previously served as an assistant coach with the Portland Timbers. He was hired to replace Martin Rennie, who guided the franchise in its first two seasons. Rennie departed for the USL First Division Carolina Rail Hawks before the City Stars were promoted.

Reach Andrew Miller at apmiller@postandcourier.com. and check out the Battery blog at, postandcourier/blogs/battery.