New Zealand's Cole Peverley Signs with the Battery



Peverley training with the New Zealand
Senior National Team.

 Today the Charleston Battery attained New Zealand midfielder, Cole Peverley for the upcoming USL Pro season. Peverley signs with the Battery "subject to USL and USSF approval." This brings Charleston's roster up to thirteen players, and signs just in time for the Carolina Challenge Cup.

Peverley, is a native of Wellington, New Zealand and plays for the New Zealand National Team, and in the past has played for their U20 and Olympic team. He was basically the 24th man on New Zealand's World Cup roster (he was put in for an injury), but ended up off the roster. He to Charleston after playing for Hawke's Bay United and Team Wellington, two teams in New Zealand's top league, and has recently been on trial with Seattle Sounders FC. Peverley has played against his new teammate, Colin Falvey, in matches in New Zealand (Falvey played for Youngheart Manawatu). Peverley has scored only 1 goal in his 68 appearances in the ASB Premiership.

Peverley will bring the Battery roster to a total of thirteen players, with 6 midfielders. The other 5 being Stephen Armstrong, Jon Gruenewald, Alioune Gueye, Kevin Jackson, and recently signed Nicki Paterson. Though young, he is only 22, Peverley brings some experience to midfield for the Battery. He has played in the top flight of New Zealand soccer for five years, which will bring expectations of a smart and experienced player.

Honestly, I don't know much about Peverley. Will have to see what he looks like this season, but luckily there is plenty of preseason matches to experiment with. I really feel that the Battery are making smart moves, and sometimes you have to just trust them. I have full confidence that they will bring the best team possible to the pitch this year, and making the playoffs should be a good goal to have for Charleston. Any year after a championship is tough (especially in the lower leagues), because your best players will move on to bigger teams. I still would like to see the Battery add another forward, and strengthen the back line, but there is still plenty of time before the USL Pro season.

If you have any questions, or if you need to contact me, you can email me at SCSoccerblog@gmail.com.

Good Article on No Quarter About the Battery's 2011 Roster

Over at No Quarter, Mikey posted an article about the Battery's roster for the upcoming USL Pro season. It covers who is currently on the roster along with an update on the status of the NASL. Check it out:
http://give-em-no-quarter.blogspot.com/2011/02/rosterso-far.html

I agree with most of what's said here. Make sure to check back here, No Quarter, the Battery's website, and theRegiment's  facebook. If you have any questions, or if you need to get in contact with me, e-mail me at SCSoccerblog@gmail.com.

Battery Sign Nicki Patterson

On Friday, January 21st, the Charleston Battery signed midfielder Nicki Patterson. Patterson is of Scottish decent and played in Motherwell's youth academy before coming over to the United States. He came to play at UNLV, where he played for four years. He then played for Harrisburg City Islanders in the 2009 USL-1 season, and Real Maryland Monarchs in the 2010 USL-2 season. This makes the Battery's roster a little more clear, though there's still a lot of work to be done.

Head coach, Mike Anhaeuser, had this to say about Patterson, “Nicki is a solid pro who and player that fits in with the qualities we are looking for. He will bring experience to our squad in the midfield.”

Patterson played for Real Maryland Monarchs last year, making 19 appearances and scoring no goals. He also had a short stint with Scottish third division side, Clyde. Patterson scored 1 goal in 6 appearances. His best season for any club, by far was his 2007-2008 season, when he played for the Des Moines Menace. In 28 appearances he scored 15 goals.

Now if you're expecting Patterson to come on and score a huge amount of goals, you'll be highly disappointed. The main reason that the Battery signed him, is because of his experience. That is one thing you can expect from Patterson; an experienced midfielder who brings solid play to the midfield. Plus its never bad to have more depth at any position.

All together, a good sign for the Battery. One question remains; Will Patterson adjust well to playing his soccer in Charleston? Only time will tell.

Charleston Battery 2011 Roster: What We Know So Far

There is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to the Charleston Battery's roster for the upcoming USL Pro season. The 2010 USL Second Division Champs are looking to add another trophy to their case, with five of the defunct six team USL-2 playing in the USL Pro. With many great players like forward Lamar Neagle and keeper Tim Melia on last year's team, who will return? Well it's hard to say since the roster has not been updated on the Battery's website since the USL-2 championship game, but here's what we know:

• No Johnny Wilson: After the USL Second Division Championship game, Wilson announced his retirement after seven seasons with the Battery. His effort on our defense will be missed.
• No Ian Fuller: On the Orlando City S.C. website, Ian Fuller is listed. Sad to see who I think deserved the MVP in the championship game (Sorry Tom!) leave the Battery and play in our league. Fuller scored the eventual game winning goal, and headed away what looked to be goal towards the end of the game.
• No Tom Heinemann: On January 6th Heinemann signed with Major League Soccer side, Columbus Crew. Hopefully this can get him the recognition he deserves. Its a good move for Tom, he's definitely taking a step in the right direction, but I'll be sad to not see him at the 'Baud next year, when we're trying to win another championship.
• No Lamar Neagle: Well this is not official yet, but its pretty much assumed that Lamar will not return to the Battery. The worst part about being in a smaller league is that the players who are extraordinary often get called up to a larger club. Obviously he played in Finland, and Europe is nice, but I have a feeling that Lamar might want to go back close to his hometown of Tacoma, and with his old club.

Again these are just bits and pieces, more will be revealed when the Carolina Challenge Cup and various preseason matches get a little closer. Some might be revealed at The Regiment's meeting in February, where Charleston Head Coach, Mike Anhaueser, and Club President, Andrew Bell, tentatively are set to meet and answer questions. For more on this check out The Regiment's Facebook page, and Mikey's blog, No Quarter.