USL Championship’s Charleston Battery is preparing for the end of an era, as the club will host its final regular-season match at MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday.
MUSC Health Stadium, located on Daniel Island, has been the home of the Battery since it was completed in 1999. It was known at that time as Blackbaud Stadium, and was revolutionary for its use of a soccer-specific design.
The Battery will not play there beyond the 2019 season, however, as MUSC Health Stadium was sold to an affiliate of Atlanta-based Holder Properties earlier this year, with the company set to demolish the facility to make way for new development. Leading up to Saturday’s match against Bethlehem Steel FC, many are looking back on the club’s time at the facility with fond memories. More from Live5News.com:
“When (former Battery owner) Tony Bakker built this, he was gambling and betting on the sports in the area” former Battery President Andrew Bell said.
The venue opened with a bang on April 29th of that year as the Battery got a win over Atlanta. A night [Battery Head Coach Mike] Anhaueser will never forget.
“I remember the opening like yesterday, to be honest, Rashard Miller, a former College of Charleston player, scored the 1st goal ever at this stadium, it was huge crowd, I think we were sold out.”
Saturday’s game will carry postseason implications for the Battery, as the club still has a chance at earning a spot in the USL Championship playoffs. The Battery is expected to announce its 2020 home after the conclusion of this season.
Image courtesy Charleston Battery.
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