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After it was announced yesterday that D.C. United would be participating in the 2014 edition of the Carolina Challenge Cup, the Charleston Battery announced the full slate today. Joining D.C. United and the host Charleston Battery will be the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dyanmo, two teams that always seem to give D.C. United fits. United returns to South Carolina after a one year stint in Orlando for its preseason training; before that, the team had played in the previous 4 Challenge Cups and in 7 of the 10 editions of the Cup overall.
In addition to being a good test of the team during the preseason, the Carolina Challenge Cup has a number of additional factors that make it popular for D.C. United fans. The first, of course, is Charleston itself and, especially, Charleston in February: It is a welcome change from the District and it is near enough that a larger group of fans can make it down. Another reason is that the games are played in the wonderful Blackbaud Stadium, which was one of the first soccer specific stadiums in the United States. And, finally, participating in this tournament allows the renewal of the Coffee Pot Cup between the fans of D.C. United and the Charleston Battery.
What are your favorite memories of the Carolina Challenge Cup? Will you be attending the 2014 edition?
More from Black And Red United:
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