Charleston Battery News Release - www.charlestonbattery.com

Thursday, April 10, 2008

CHARLESTON, SC -- The Charleston Battery has added four players to its roster ahead of the season opener in Miami on Saturday night. Defender Nelson Akwari comes to the Battery from the USL2 Charlotte Eagles, midfielder Jordan Hughes played for the Battery in 2006 & 2007 and returns for a third season; David Kenga and Dominic Cianciarulo both join Charleston for their rookie seasons.

Nelson Akwari
Nelson Akwari played 12 games for the Eagles in 2007; he has also played for Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake, the Columbus Crew and the NY MetroStars. Akwari’s MLS Career totals include 78 games played for a total of, 5,408 minutes. Akwari played for Real Salt Lake from 2005 through the early part of 2007.

Prior to Salt Lake Akwari was a member of the Columbus Crew from 2003 -2004 and was part of the team that won the 2004 MLS Supporters Shield. Akwari began his pro career with the MetroStars in 2002.

A native of Houston, TX, Akwari attended UCLA; he represented the United States at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels and played at the 2001 World Youth Championship in Argentina.

Jordan Hughes
Jordan Hughes returns to the Charleston Battery for a third year after appearing in 23 games in 2007 and registering one goal. Hughes joined the Battery after graduating from Coastal Carolina University.

Hughes, 5-10, 160 lbs., 22 yrs, is originally from Victoria, British Columbia, and graduated with a degree in marketing.

David Kenga
Midfielder David Kenga joins the Battery for the 2008 USL First Division season. A native of Mombasa, Kenya, Kenga impressed during the 2008 Carolina Challenge Cup and scored the Battery’s goal 1-1 tie with the New York Red Bulls.

Kenga, 5-8, 150 lbs., 26 yrs played his college soccer at Winthrop University.

Dominic Cianciarulo
Midfielder Dominic Cianciarulo comes to Charleston for his rookie season. Cianciarulo played for Furman University and also played in the PDL for the Greensboro Dynamo.

A native of Deland, Fl, Cianciarulo, 5-9, 153 lbs., 22 yrs., attended the Charleston Battery player trials in February.

Battery kicks off season on Saturday in Miami
The Charleston Battery opens its season on Saturday night in Miami with a game versus the Miami FC blues; kick off is set for 7:30 PM. The game is available in Charleston on Real 1340 AM and is also available via a live video stream on the web at USLLive.com

Battery single game tickets on sale
Single game tickets for the upcoming USL First Division season are on sale now at the Charleston Battery box office (843) 971-GOAL or online at www.charlestonbattery.com. The Battery’s 2008 home opener is set for Saturday, April 19 versus the defending champions, the Seattle Sounders. Tickets are just $8 - $15; the game versus Seattle also includes a post-game fireworks display.

2008 Season Tickets
The Charleston Battery will kick off its 16th season of pro soccer on Saturday, April 19; season ticket packages are on sale now starting at $120; to purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.