Battery seeking to steady ship on 'D'
The one thing that Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser can say about the team's defense this season is that it has been consistently inconsistent.
Huh?
With five shutouts against USL First Division opponents and one against Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo, the Battery has shown the ability to be among the league' top defensive units. However, the team has also surrendered five goals to Rochester and given up seven goals during a two-game weekend series with Puerto Rico.
"We've been really good and really bad defensively at times this season," Anhaeuser said. "It seems like there's been a lack of consistency and focus for us at times. It seems like we've made some mistakes at crucial times, and they have really hurt us. We've shown that we can be very good defensively. Now, it's just a matter of being more consistent with our shape and our focus."
Anhaeuser is hoping the return of defender Kevin Nylen, who has missed most of the season with a broken foot, and the addition of Louie Rolko at right back will help solidify the Battery's defense in tonight's match against Miami FC.
"Kevin looked very solid the last time out. He was able to play a full 90 minutes, so his fitness is there," Anhaeuser said. "Lou has been great at right back. He's kind of won the position with his ability to serve the ball up the field to the forwards. He's not a natural defender, but with his ability to pass the ball, we needed to get him on the field."
Anhaeuser is hoping to build on the team's momentum from its 2-0 win over Portland on July 22. The Timbers have the best record in the USL First Division.
"It was a very good result for us," Anhaeuser said. "We played very well defensively and we were able to create plenty of scoring chances, and against one of the best defensive teams in the league. It was one of the best overall performances we've had this season."
After playing five games in less than two weeks, the Battery has had nine days off since beating the Timbers. Anhaeuser said he used the layoff to rest several players and work on fundamentals.
"We were able to give everyone a couple of days off, and at this time of year that's very important," Anhaeuser said. "The guys with nagging injuries and some muscle strains have had time to heal, and the guys who have played a lot of minutes got a chance to rest their legs. Hopefully, everyone is refreshed and ready to go down the stretch. All the games from here on are important."
The Battery beat Miami FC, 2-0, at home in May. Miami, led by former Brazilian national team Zinho, has won four straight games.
"I think the last time Miami was here they were looking for a draw," Anhaeuser said. "It was a very slow game and they didn't attack very much. They'd played a game right before playing us, so I think they were looking to get a point out of the game. They're rested and they're playing very well right now.
"I think this game will be much more up-tempo from the last time we played them. I think they'll attack a lot more than they did the last time we played them. We've got to be ready for that."
With 25 goals already this year, the Battery added some more offensive punch to the lineup by signing Trinidad and Tobago national team striker Andre Toussaint.
Toussaint is a current member of the T&T national team and played in every game for the Soca Warriors in the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 5-9, 165-pound Toussaint has scored six national-team goals in 17 games played.
"Andre brings plenty of international experience to the table," Anhaeuser said. "He should bring a lot of excitement to our attack with his pace and dribbling ability. He's not the biggest guy in the world, but he's very quick and he should be able to create chances not only for himself, but for everyone else. He's definitely going to put some pressure on the opposition's defense."
Reach Andrew Miller at 937-5599 or apmiller@postandcourier.com.
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