When Crystal Palace F.C. takes the pitch in England, the players do so with more than 100 years of history to the club?s shield. When Crystal Palace USA takes the pitch tonight in Charlotte, N.C., players will be taking the first steps towards creating history for the Annapolis-based club.
“It seems like it?s been years since we opened preseason,” said general manager Pete Medd, who will be managing Palace with sporting director Jim Cherneski. “We?ve gone through about 40 guys ? and now we?re pretty confident we?ve got the guys we want playing in the positions where we feel they can be successful.”
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Palace will visit the Charlotte Eagles tonight at 7 at Waddell High in Charlotte, N.C. While Palace is playing the first game in club history, the Eagles were 9-6-8 in 2006, losing to Richmond, 2-1, in the final of the United Soccer Leagues? Second Division playoffs.
In some ways, Palace will know very early what it will take to compete in the USL.
“It?s better than knowing later,” Medd said. “We?re confident with the group we?re bringing down here, so we?d rather start out at the top.”
Cherneski noted that the playing surface at the Eagles? home field is in rough shape after some unfortunate weather and that Palace is expecting “a rugged game.”
Palace released its roster Thursday on its Web site, crystalpalaceusa.com. The 20-man roster includes three players with local ties.
“It?s very important,” Cherneski said. “In recent weeks, [defender] Andrew Marshall has come on and has earned a starting position with us.”
Marshallwas a senior captain for Towson University last fall, helping the Tigers ? for whom both Cherneski and Medd played ? to the NCAA College Cup. Palace goalkeeper Brian Rowland is a product of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and both Rowland and defender Ibrahim Kante have played with the Major Indoor Soccer League?s Baltimore Blast.
Crystal Palace USA will hold its first home game May 4 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Cherneski said the club is expecting a turnout of at least 3,000 fans for the 7 p.m. game against the Cleveland City Stars.
PALACE OPENER
» Who: Crystal Palace USA (0-0) at Charlotte Eagles (0-0)
» Where: Waddell High School, Charlotte, N.C.
» When: 7 p.m.
» TV/Radio: None
