CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Battery coaching staff will welcome unsigned prospects to MUSC Health Stadium for two Battery Player Trials on January 26-27 and February 9-10. The trials are open to all players pursuing a career in professional soccer.

“We get lots of inquiries from players who want to play for the Battery, and bringing them in to scrimmage  with some of our guys is a good way to evaluate their talent,” Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser said. “Most won’t make the team, obviously, but we invite the best to come back for our combine, and some earn spots on our roster.”

Current Charleston Battery player, Kotaro Higashi made the roster in 2017 following a successful showing at the Club’s open trials last January. Higashi went on to make 30 appearances and win the Betsy McAdams Newcomer of the Year award last season and is expected to be a big part of Anhaeuser’s plans in 2018. Coach Anhaeuser and the technical staff have signed at least one player from every trial since they started in 2002.

“We’ve found some very good players through this process over the years, including some who went on to sign with other professional teams, too. If we find someone with talent, we’ll do our best to help them sign a professional contract whether it’s with us or somewhere else. I think for most of them, it’s a valuable experience regardless of whether they wind up signing a USL contract that season.”

Registration is $150 for either of the two-day trials at MUSC Health. Registration for the January trial is now open; registration for the February trial will be open in the near future. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR JANUARY TRIAL

It is recommended that interested players register as soon as registration opens as participation in each trial is capped. With a capped number, all players will be under the close attention of Battery coaches and staff for the duration of the trials.

The two-day trials begin with sign-in and orientation at 1:00 p.m. on the first day. The players participate in small sided games for the entirety of day one, which wraps up around 5:00 p.m. Day two includes full sided matches and runs from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Returning Battery players typically participate in the scrimmages.

The stadium will be open for the event, spectators are welcome, and there is no charge to attend.