Matchday

Tickets for the 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup, hosted by the United Soccer Leagues’ Charleston Battery and set to be played from February 16 through February 23 are now on sale.
 
Hosted at Blackbaud Stadium, the Fire will open up the tournament with an MLS Cup playoff rematch when they face the Houston Dynamo on February 16 at 4:00 p.m. CT. They’ll continue with a match against hosts Charleston Battery on February 20 at 6:15 p.m. CT before rounding out the tournament against fellow MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps F.C. February 23 at 4:00 p.m. CT.
 
In the 2012 edition, the Men in Red went 1-1-0 in the round robin competition, falling 1-0 to D.C. United before defeating the Columbus Crew 1-0. The third match against the Charleston Battery was cancelled due to severe thunderstorms.
 
The Fire previously played two close Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup encounters with the third division side, downing the Battery 1-0 in extra time on August 25, 2004 at Cardinal Stadium in Naperville, Ill. before drawing 0-0 and eventually falling on penalties on June 30, 2010. The Battery were crowned 2012 USL Pro champions with a 1-0 win against the Wilmington Hammerheads Sept. 8.
 
Tickets are available at (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or www.charlestonbattery.com.