Charleston will host an exhibition soccer tournament in February. | Charleston Battery
Charleston will host an exhibition soccer tournament in February. | Charleston Battery
Major League Soccer will return to Charleston for the preseason exhibition Breeze Airways Carolina Challenge Cup set for mid-February at Patriots Point.
“We’re excited to bring back this beloved preseason tournament and welcome three MLS clubs to Charleston this February,” Charleston Battery President of Business Operations Scott Krenitski said in a recent release.
This will be the 16th set of exhibition matches. It brings together four teams: the Charleston Battery of USL Championship League, MLS entrants Columbus Crew, Inter Miami CF and Charlotte FC.
“We’re excited to join the Carolina Challenge Cup in our 2022 preseason,” said Chris Henderson, Miami’s chief soccer officer and sporting director. “We look forward to facing competitive opponents in Charleston, Charlotte and Columbus in the Battery’s great facilities and playing our way into form for the MLS season.”
The four-day exhibition tourney is presented by Breeze Airways and the Charleston International Airport, and will feature two games the first two days of play, Feb. 12 and 15, and a one game each on Feb. 18 and 19.
Tournament pairings have been announced online, and on Feb. 12 will see Inter Miami CF take on the Columbus Crew at 1 p.m., followed by the Charleston Battery and Charlotte FC at 7 p.m. On Feb. 15, the Crew face Charlotte at 5 p.m., and Miami faces the Battery at 8 p.m.
Each club will play the three other invitees during the round-robin arrangement.
Tickets are being sold either as tournament passes or by each match. Tickets can be bought through SeatGeek, with a link on the Charleston Battery website.
“Breeze is thrilled to be partnering with the Charleston International Airport and the Battery to bring the Carolina Challenge Cup back to Charleston,” said Angela Vargo, vice president of marketing for Breeze Airways. “Charleston has welcomed Breeze with open arms and is now our largest base with 13 nonstops. We are serious about our commitment to the Charleston community and look forward to seeing soccer fans at the pitch for this awesome event!”
Alerts Sign-up