Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery looks to build on its first-place league position when it hosts current USL-1 champions Seattle Sounders at Blackbaud Stadium this Saturday, July 5. Gates open at 6:30 – kick off is set for 7:30 PM.

This is the second of three encounters this season between the two sides. Charleston played Seattle to a 1-1 tie in the Battery's home opener, with Louie Rolko netting for the hosts before Seattle's Kenji Treschuk leveled in the game's final minute. The teams face off for the third time in Seattle on July 26.

The Battery (7-3-3, 24 points) comes off a thrilling US Open Cup third round win over the Houston Dynamo Tuesday, defeating the MLS champion after a penalty shootout despite finishing the game with just nine men. The game had ended 1-1 after a double-overtime, with defender Marco Reda heading home Charleston's goal in regulation.

The Sounders (4-2-7, 19 points, fourth place) also bounced MLS opposition in the tournament Tuesday, defeating Chivas USA 2-0. This is the Sounders' final season in the USL First Division; next year they make way for Seattle's brand-new MLS franchise, Seattle Sounders FC.

The Battery is returning to league action this weekend following a defeat of the Rochester Rhinos 3-1 at Blackbaud Stadium last Saturday, a win that propelled the Battery to the top of the USL First Division. Scoring that night were Stephen Armstrong, Aaron King and Randi Patterson, who is currently the league's joint top scorer with seven goals. Patterson also picked up a Team of the Week selection for his efforts.

Seattle's last two league outings ended in ties, most recently going 1-1 against the Montreal Impact. The Sounders have produced a league-high seven ties this season.

The Battery will need to be wary of Sounders forward Sebastien Le Toux, who ranks third in the league in scoring (five goals), and second in shots taken (33). Le Toux bagged the winner in the Sounders' 1-0 victory over Charleston last season, which completed a two-game sweep of the Battery. Seattle finished 2007 in first place, before progressing to win the championship.

WHAT: Seattle Sounders at Charleston Battery, USL First Division soccer.
WHEN: 7:30 PM kickoff. Gates open at 6:30 PM.
WHERE: Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island.
TICKETS: $8 - $15, (843) 971-GOAL / www.charlestonbattery.com.