International Soccer Match set for Wednesday

The Charleston Battery on Wednesday will play England’s Portsmouth Football Club in an international contest expected to draw thousands to Daniel Island’s Blackbaud Stadium.

This marks the second consecutive year that the Battery has hosted an English team. Last July the Battery played Bolton Wanderers, another English team, in front of a sold out crowd of 5,249.

Charleston has a tradition of hosting foreign clubs, dating back to 1993 when the Battery played the Jamaican Constant Springs Football Club and the Latvian team, FK-RAF Riga.

“We’re really looking forward to meeting the people of Charleston and know that their hospitality will be top class,” said Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill. “We’re looking forward to getting out there and building a relationship with the guys at Charleston.”

Blackbaud Stadium gates open at 6 p.m. and kick off is set for 7:45 p.m. Tickets are selling for $20 to $25.  There are discounts available for groups of 10 or more.  To purchase tickets or for more information, call 843-971-GOAL or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

Formed in 1898, Portsmouth players have been champions of England twice, in 1949 and 1950, and have won the FA Cup twice, most recently in 2008.