USL / Charleston Battery News Release

Friday, March 14, 2008

TAMPA, FL -- The fifth annual Carolina Challenge Cup preseason tournament featuring host Charleston Battery and Major League Soccer sides New York Red Bulls, San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC kicks off Saturday. All six games of the week-long event are available free via www.USLlive.com.    

The tournament is the first event of 2008 on USL Live, which is debuting its new look and new video player. USL Live, in its second year, carries every USL First Division league match not available on Fox Soccer Channel.

In partnership with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the first two Toronto FC matches will also be webcast on cbcsports.ca. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/torontofc-schedule.html  

The competition format remains unchanged in 2008 with three matchday’s each featuring a double-header. The games will be played on Saturday (March 15) – Wednesday (March 19) – Saturday (March 22), with each team playing the other in a round-robin tournament.

The 2007 CCC winners Houston Dynamo are unable to defend their title due to CONCACAF Champions Cup commitments. Remarkably each winner from the previous four Carolina Challenge Cup competitions has gone on to win either the MLS Commissioners Cup (regular season championship) or MLS cup.

New York Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls return to the Carolina Challenge Cup for a second year. New York finished in third position in the Eastern Conference in 2007 but were bounced from the playoffs by eventual MLS Cup runner’s-up, the New England Revolution, in the Conference semifinals.

New York recently hired former Chicago Fire chief Juan Carlos Osorio as the 11th head coach in the team’s13-year history. Osorio was the manager of Club Deportivo Millonarios of the Futbol Profesional Colombiano from 2006-2007. He also served as an assistant coach with Manchester City of the English Premier League from 2001-2006 and as an assistant with the New York MetroStars from 2000-2001.

The Red Bulls were one of the MLS sides to use their designated player option in 2007 signing Juan Pablo Angel. Angel had an exceptional year with New York, scoring 19 goals and adding 5 assists in 24 games played.

Toronto FC

Despite superb attendance (15 straight sellouts) during its inaugural season Toronto struggled in 2007 and missed the playoffs finishing in 7th position in the Eastern Conference with a record of 6-17-7. Toronto returns to Charleston for a second straight Carolina Challenge Cup appearance.

Toronto FC, who saw Mo Johnston move to Director of Soccer with John Carver taking the head coach post, features former standout USL-1 goalkeeper Greg Sutton in a squad that saw many offseason changes. Breakout player Maurice Edu will be unavailable due to commitments with the US U-23 squad playing in the Olympic Qualifying tournament.

San Jose Earthquakes

Expansion Major League Soccer side the San Jose Earthquakes return to Charleston to compete in the Carolina Challenge Cup after a three year hiatus. San Jose won the tournament in 2004 then went on to win the MLS Commissioners Cup, however, the Earthquakes relocated to Houston at the end of the 2004 MLS season.

The Carolina Challenge Cup games will be the ‘Quakes first competitive matches prior to their return to Major League Soccer. Former LA Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop will lead the Earthquakes in their inaugural campaign. Former Charleston Battery forward Gavin Glinton was picked by San Jose in the MLS expansion draft.

Tournament Schedule
Saturday.... 15-Mar.... San Jose vs Toronto.... 6:00 PM
Saturday.... 15-Mar.... New York vs Charleston.... 8:15 PM
Wednesday.... 19-Mar.... New York vs Toronto.... 6:00 PM
Wednesday.... 19-Mar.... San Jose vs Charleston.... 8:15 PM
Saturday.... 22-Mar.... Toronto vs Charleston.... 6:00 PM
Saturday.... 22-Mar.... San Jose vs New York.... 8:15 PM

Previous Carolina Challenge Cups
2004
Charleston Battery (USL-1)
Columbus Crew (MLS) - champion
DC United (MLS)
Wilmington Hammerheads (USL2)

2005
Charleston Battery (USL-1)
Columbus Crew (MLS)
DC United (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) - champion

2006
Charleston Battery (USL-1)
DC United (MLS)
Houston Dynamo (MLS) - champion
MetroStars (MLS)

2007
Charleston Battery (USL-1)
Houston Dynamo (MLS) - champion
New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Toronto FC (MLS)

Tickets for the 2008 Carolina Challenge Cup include series packages and individual games. For more information or group ticket inquiries please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625).