2016 is here. Kind of limited news from the Battery concerning player signings. Shawn Ferguson is back http://charlestonbattery.com/news/all-usl-defender-ferguson-returns-for-2016/ Also not confirmed but alluded to in the article; Taylor Mueller Emmanuel Adjetey Quinton Griffith Odisenel Cooper noticed the Battery put up their 2016 roster page on their website but it isn't populated right now.
Second "official" signing for the Battery for 2016 Justin Portillo Midfield Metronome Portillo re-signs for 2016 Bare in mind, I'm not 100% sure who is still on contract from last season but its great to have Justin back
I love Justin and as good as his rookie year was, I think his improvement in year 2 was even greater. The article was well written, (thanks Dan), JP really does do most technical things very well. He's the most complete player we have (so far).
so any good guess as to who might be back? Cordoves and Chang are still in the area and both have local girlfriends now. Prince seems to be still heavily involved and is the POC for the player trials Savage said he was retiring but has been training the last couple weeks. Lasso was posted by the Battery on stationary bike a couple weeks ago. guess I need to do some digging...
I have no problem if most of them come back, although I wouldn't mind if Prince does more coaching than playing. His strong start to the season didn't last and near the end, he was a liability. We'll definitely need someone(s) to replace Dane. The elder Cuban Martinez would probably be a good start. Since he actually had a contract near the end of the season, wonder if the Battery will make him go thru trials? With so many teams in the league, there's no shortage of folks looking to steal our players (and we should be looking to steal theirs.....like we used to do). The mini-MLS USL teams will be tempting because going to those USL teams means you're only a short step away from getting a shot at making the MLS roster. I'm sure that played into Dane going to KC, don't blame him a bit. Should be a very competitive year, can't wait for it to start.
I would think anyone Atlanta is looking at, will be here developing this year. I see an impending affiliation with them in our future.
I saw Carlos Bocanegra here in Charleston a couple times last season. With ATL starting in 2017 though I don't see many players here this season.
auggie was at their first open trial last week, their club president is the connection. He was here more.
Didn't know they were running trials already. I wouldn't be surprised at all if their is a connection all
The First player trials start Saturday. it the past is any indication we should see some players helping out. Going to try and swing by Saturday AM to check it out. http://charlestonbattery.com/news/prince-anything-can-happen-at-player-trials/
Looks like the weather is going to be cold, windy and maybe rain/sleet. Too bad for the trialists. I remember a couple years ago the weather was bad and the players struggled. Sunday looks clear but cold, might try to come watch that day with a hot beverage.
Went out for a couple hours this morning. Prince was on the sidelines Blue team had Robert Beebe in goal Grey team had Cordovez, Chang, OB, Savage, Portillo, Mueller, Ferguson, Lasso Also on Grey was a couple Coastal players, Colin Marz and the big right back from last year's trials, Uzo (looks more like a linebacker!) Also on the Grey was Alfredo Cedeno who trained with the Battery all last season and got a appearance in the West Brom match there were five other teams but didn't really pick up on any particular players. There were a couple that stood out (#5 on red and a guy on the green) but didn't get names unfortunately
Uchenna Uzo is the big Nigerian defender from Coastal, his younger brother just got drafted by Orlando. Saw Patrick Olalere in Starbucks and he said that Uzo stood out and will probably be invited back.
I remember him from last years trials. hard to miss his size. http://charlestonbattery.com/news/player-trials-produce-four-or-five-prospects/
Atlanta sign their first player and send him on loan to the Battery Goal keeper Alexander Tambakis http://charlestonbattery.com/news/atlanta-to-send-goalkeeper-tambakis-on-loan/
I was wondering that. I haven't seen any tape of the guy but the thread here on BS he looks like he has been involved at the U17 and U20 levels but seems a bit inconsistent. definitely will help on the Canadian runs
Ricky Garbanzo just post this on his Facebook wall. Excited to finally find out the schedule for this season! Check it out in this link and see if you can make it! "CharlestonBattery "SecondYearPro ⚽ ⚽ ️⚽ Feliz porque ya se el horario de mi temporada para este año! Fijase en el link y ahí puede ver si ustedes pueden ir para ver buen fútbol!#CharlestonBattery #SegundoAñoProfesional ⚽ ⚽ ⚽
Battery add seven more http://charlestonbattery.com/news/battery-picks-up-seven-2016-contract-options/ Griffith confirmed in Facebook post as well So with Portillo and Ferguson and the ATL lonee, we are up to 11 players.
No word (yet) on Cordo, Seba, Obi or the latest Cuban Martinez as well as a few others. I thought Obi had a mediocre year but I wouldn't mind having the rest back, particularly Martinez, he could be another hidden gem.
both Cordo and Obi were at the trials. Cordo looks pretty good. Obi looked like he just came back from a long winter break, but maybe it was just multiple layers. Last I saw on FB Martinez is in Miami but the pics look like he was enjoying the offseason. would love to see him come back but wouldn't be surprised if he got was picked up somewhere else. I imagine some are still in negotiation. plus I wouldn't be surprised if they want to slow roll the releases to get the most bang out of their buck in regards to press releases....
Let's meet our newest man between the sticks... http://charlestonbattery.com/news/tambakis-looking-for-a-new-start-in-america/
another set of trials start today and go through tomorrow. wonder if any other familiar faces will be here for that one?
some tidbits from the recent article about the invite trials this starting today. look like Dante is coming back And ATL is sending three academy players and a Ecuadorian international. http://charlestonbattery.com/news/battery-invitation-camp-2016-weekend-preview/ snips from the article trials start today at 2pm and conclude Sunday with a match against the College of Charleston
a peak at some of the players that might be joining the Battery this season. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.984941231582813.1073742000.131407003602911&type=3