Academy

Battery Charge: 'Caps find their voice

Salgado Kafari

Charleston Battery had a bye week after playing to a 2-2 draw against Richmond Kickers on March 29, but the lads still managed to keep busy.


On Tuesday, April 1, the squad headed to Molly Darcy’s Traditional Irish Pub to support the “call to arms” event to bring more supporters to join Falvey’s Army – a Battery supporters group. During the event, the Battery continued their tradition of welcoming their players through song, as 2013 Whitecaps FC SuperDraft pick Michael Kafari and 'Caps striker Omar Salgado took the stage for a little bit of karaoke. Whitecaps FC Residency graduate Jackson Farmer had also done a duet with Kafari on the Battery’s karaoke night two weeks earlier.


On Thursday, the Battery faced North American Soccer League (NASL) side Carolina Railhawks in a friendly scrimmage. Farmer started at left back, Aminu Abdallah made the start at central midfield with Marlon Ramirez out wide on the right, and Mamadou Diouf at striker. Adam Mena, a Whitecaps FC Supplemental Draft pick in 2012, would come in on the right wing to begin the second half.


Kafari, Andre Lewis, and Salgado did not participate in the match. Salgado had a scare last match when he left early with a foot injury. However, after further consultation, the injury was not as bad as first feared and the young prospect has returned to light work on the field.


"He's back into the running schedule now in Charleston," reported Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "Hopefully he'll be stepping it up again towards the end of this week and maybe getting back in next week, so very good news there."


With a rest from game action, the squad participated in the Cooper River Bridge Run for the fourth straight year.


Charleston Battery next travel to Florida for an early season rematch against future MLS club Orlando City SC on Saturday, April 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT. All matches are streamed on www.charlestonbattery.com.