Season preview: Charleston Battery set to open their season in revamped USL

  • Andrew Miller
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  • Posted: Saturday, April 9, 2011 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Friday, March 23, 2012 6:14 p.m.
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Dane Kelly scored a goal against Toronto FC during the Carolina Challenge Cup last month.
Alan Hawes /Dane Kelly scored a goal against Toronto FC during the Carolina Challenge Cup last month.

A reporter asked Charleston Battery defender Colin Falvey if it was more difficult to win a championship or defend one.

The Cork City, Ireland, native scratched at his three-day-old beard and quipped, "ask me at the end of August and I'll have an answer for you."

The Charleston Battery will begin the defense of its USL Second Division title tonight in the season opener against the Charlotte Eagles at Blackbaud Stadium.

"We spent all last year trying to get to the top of this mountain," Falvey said. "Now that we're on top of it, everyone is going to try and knock us off this season because all the clubs want what we've got. We're going to get everyone's best game and we've got to be prepared for that."

If the Battery are going to repeat and capture the club's fourth league title, they will have to do it against a revamped USL division. The USL First and Second divisions combined into what is now being called the USL Pro Division, which features 15 teams from across the country

The league will be divided up into three five-team divisions. The top three teams from each division will advance to the postseason. A year ago, the USL Second Division had just six total teams and the Battery earned an automatic bid to its championship game by winning the regular season.

"Any time you're a reigning champion, teams are going to come after you twice as hard," said Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser said. "I like the fact that we're going to be able to play against more clubs. There are some new teams, but it seems like we've got new teams in the league every year. I think it's going to mean more competition, but I think the players and fans will like it because they won't see the same teams three or four times in the same season."

Charleston defender Mike Zaher said he's excited about playing against more teams.

"After the third or fourth time you play a team, there really are no secrets," Zaher said. "It made playing against those teams last year pretty difficult. I like the fact that we'll only play teams twice during the regular season. It feels like more of a legitimate league with a true table. We're going to have to travel a little bit more, but that's part of being a professional."

If the Battery are going to win another title, they'll have to do without three of their top scorers -- Lamar Neagle, Tom Heinemann and Rudolph Mayard. The three combined for 28 goals last season, or 85 percent of the Battery's offense. Neagle, the USL Second Division MVP, and Heinemann are currently playing in Major League Soccer for Seattle and Columbus, respectively. Neagle had 14 goals, while Heinemann added eight goals during the 2010 season.

One of those new guys is Jamaican striker Dane Kelly, who was impressive in two matches during the Carolina Challenge Cup against MLS competition. Kelly scored a goal against Toronto FC and was among the league leaders in scoring last year in the Jamaican Premier League.

"Dane has tremendous pace and he's proven he can score against quality competition," Anhaeuser said. "I think he's going to stretch defenses and allow us to attack from different areas this season."

Returning striker Levi Coleman also has had a strong preseason.

Although there will be plenty of new faces in the lineup this season, there are also a core of familiar ones who know what it takes to win a championship. The Battery's defense returns almost intact from a year ago with John Wilson, Zaher, Falvey and Nigel Marples anchoring the back line.

"Having those back really makes a big difference when you're trying to defend," Falvey said. "I know what those guys are going to do and they know what I'm going to do. Communication is so crucial in trying to keep your shape."

Team captain Stephen Armstrong, who will also serve as an assistant coach, returns to the Battery midfield.

"Stephen is probably as fit as I've ever seen him," Anhaeuser said. "I think he's finally healthy and has been able to train for the entire offseason. He's still a guy that can be very dangerous when he's pushing forward."

Cole Peverley, Nicki Paterson and Kevin Jackson form a veteran midfield for the Battery.

"Cole played for New Zealand in the Olympics and Nicki played for Real Maryland a year ago," Anhaeuser said. "I actually think we're a little more experienced in the midfield than we were a year ago. I like the blend of youth and experience we've got all over the field this season."