Battery's Nunes still on the attack during transition

Real Maryland Monarchs at Charleston Battery

RECORDS: Monarchs (2-3-3, 9 points) Battery (6-1-1, 19)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Blackbaud Stadium

TICKETS: 971-GOAL

Amaury Nunes grew up in Brazil playing the beautiful game with flair, style and most importantly -- always on the attack.

Growing up in Rio de Janeiro and playing soccer for the famed Brazilian club, Flamengo, Nunes was taught that it's better to win a game, 5-4, than to win, 1-0.

"Since I was a kid I was always taught to push the ball forward," Nunes said. "Always attack, attack, attack and defend second. Even when I came to the United States, I had coaches from Latin America or Mexico and they played the game the same way, always attack."

So, it was quite the culture shock when a slightly out-of-shape Nunes arrived at Charleston's preseason camp this spring and was told that everything about his playing style was the exact opposite of the way the Battery played.

"It was like everything that I had been taught up to that point in my career had been wrong," Nunes said. "It's the mentality of the way they play here. Here, it's defend, defend defend. That is the most important thing. You attack when you get the opportunity. It's almost like playing on the counterattack all the time. At the beginning it was tough. I was getting used to a new style and I was a little out of shape because I was injured. It took me a little while to get my fitness level where it needed to be."

To say there was a bit of a transition period for Nunes and Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser would be an understatement.

"Amaury was used to playing a different style," Anhaeuser said. "You could tell he was a very skilled player. When he's got the ball at his feet, he's a very dangerous player. He can spray the ball around the field and he knows how to finish. The main issue I had with Amaury was with his play away from the ball. He likes to sit in open space, receive the ball and then attack. We like to pressure the ball a little bit more defensively than he was used too."

It's a philosophy that Nunes is still getting used to.

"It's coming. I feel like I'm getting better in this system with each practice," Nunes said. "I know it's going to take me a little while, but in the end I think it will make me a better player."

Nunes believes that becoming a better defensive player will make him more marketable at the next level.

"My goal is to play at the highest level possible, so becoming a better defensive player is only going to make me a more complete player," Nunes said. "The better player you are the better chance you have at moving up to a higher league."

Nunes' transition period might be over after his two-goal performance in the Battery's 4-3 win over Pittsburgh last weekend.

"Amaury really showed off his skill on both goals," Anhaeuser said.

Nunes came to the United States in 2004 after catching the eye of a scout for Fresno Pacific University, a tiny NAIA school in California. As a sophomore he scored 16 goals in 17 games and followed that up by scoring 22 goals in 22 games during his junior campaign.

After his senior season, he spent a few weeks training with Major League Soccer's Chivas USA before getting released.

He got a job as an assistant manager at Sherwin Williams paint store, but still longed to be back on the pitch.

"The pay was better at Sherwin Williams," Nunes said. "But I still wanted to play."

He eventually signed with Charlotte in late May and scored nine goals in just 12 games for the Eagles. At the end of the season he was loaned to Rochester where he scored two goals in seven games for the Rhinos.

"Amaury is always looking forward, always looking to push the ball up the field," Anhaeuser said. "His quality around the net is fantastic and he sees the field very well. Because of the style he played growing up in Brazil, he's sometimes a step ahead of the other guys when we're on the attack."

He spent most of the preseason with Real Salt Lake, the defending MLS champions. In early March, he got a call from Anhaeuser and thought he might be able to showcase his talents in the Battery's Carolina Challenge Cup preseason tournament.

"I had an offer from Rochester, but I wanted to let the MLS teams take another look at me," Nunes said. "Even if none of the MLS teams signed me I was going to be with the Battery, playing in a great facility and living in a great city."

Reach Andrew Miller at apmiller@postandcourier.com and check out the Charleston Battery 'Battery Shots' blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/battery