April 14, 2026
I’m excited to introduce you to the Charleston Battery. This team is a key part of American professional soccer and a highlight in South Carolina sports. Founded in 1993, it’s the oldest continuously running professional team in the U.S.
The Charleston Battery are one of the most respected clubs in American soccer. Founded in 1993, the Battery are recognized as the oldest continuously operating professional soccer club in the United States. For more than three decades, they have represented the Charleston area while building a reputation for success, stability, and community involvement.
The Charleston Battery were founded in 1993 by a group of local soccer enthusiasts led by Tony Bakker, a London-born entrepreneur who relocated his software company, Blackbaud, to the Charleston area. The club joined the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL) and hired former University of South Carolina coach Tim Hankinson as its first head coach.
At a time when professional soccer was still developing in the United States, the Battery quickly established themselves as one of the strongest clubs outside of Major League Soccer.
The Battery won their first league championship in 1996, defeating the Charlotte Eagles 3-2 in the USISL Pro League Championship. The title helped establish Charleston as one of the premier lower-division soccer clubs in the country.
The club continued to grow throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming known for its competitive teams and passionate fan base.
In 1999, the Battery moved into Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island. The venue was one of the first soccer-specific stadiums built in the United States and helped make Charleston a model for lower-division professional soccer.
The stadium served as the club’s home for more than 20 years and became the site of many memorable matches, including league championship games and U.S. Open Cup contests against Major League Soccer opponents.
The Battery have won four league championships during their history:
These achievements have made Charleston one of the most successful clubs in lower-division American soccer.
One of the club’s greatest accomplishments came in 2008 when the Battery reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final. Along the way, Charleston defeated several higher-level opponents before falling 2-1 to D.C. United in the championship match.
In 2020, the Battery began playing at Patriots Point Soccer Stadium in Mount Pleasant. Located along the Charleston Harbor, the venue provides a unique setting for professional soccer with views of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the waterfront.
The stadium has become known for its intimate atmosphere, supporter culture, and fan-friendly experience. A cannon, introduced during the 2021 season, is fired after every Battery goal and has become one of the club’s most recognizable traditions.
Throughout their history, the Battery have played an important role in developing professional players. Several former Battery players have gone on to successful careers in Major League Soccer and abroad.
Notable alumni include Ozzie Alonso, Lamar Neagle, Maikel Chang, Trey Muse, Nick Markanich, and Fidel Barajas. The club’s commitment to player development continues to make Charleston an important part of the American soccer landscape.
The Battery enjoyed a resurgence in 2023 under head coach Ben Pirmann. The club captured the USL Championship Eastern Conference title and advanced to the USL Championship Final for the first time in more than a decade.
The season marked one of the most impressive turnarounds in league history and demonstrated that Charleston remains a contender despite competing in a rapidly growing professional soccer environment.
More than thirty years after its founding, the Charleston Battery continue to be a cornerstone of professional soccer in the United States. The club has survived league changes, ownership transitions, and stadium moves while maintaining a strong connection to the Charleston community.
From its early days at Stoney Field to its current home at Patriots Point, the Battery have built a legacy based on winning, player development, and passionate support. As the club moves forward, it remains one of the most respected organizations in American soccer and a source of pride for the Lowcountry.
