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In an article with the Post and Courier that you should read, Charleston Battery manager Mike Anhaeuser has explained exactly why he believes that his side can make the most of their partnership with Atlanta United, which is in its second year following a successful 2016.
“I think geography is important because Atlanta is such a short plane flight from here and it’s pretty easy to get back and forth”
The quick flight is a big factor, which is an average of 49 minutes. Something that certainly helps the players themselves as it doesn’t require rest due to jet lag or anything of that sort, and is something that may have hindered the USL club’s partnerships with Vancouver and Houston, which were much less fruitful. He would later expand:
“I think we’ll see more players because of that. They might not be here the whole time. They might come up on a Thursday or Friday so they can play on Saturday, but we’ll see more players."
The quotes come in an article profiling Romario Williams, who’s part of a group of Atlanta loanees that as of now includes Jeffrey Otoo, Alex Tambakis and Mikey Ambrose, with the likes of Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin possibly joining them as the season goes on.
Otoo and Williams are in Charleston for the entire season, while Tambakis and Ambrose featured in the Battery’s 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati in their season opener, playing as cover due to injuries and suspensions.
The Battery seem quite content with how Atlanta have accommodated them, as evidenced by the recent arrival of Ambrose. Left Back Obrien Woodbine is suspended for the opening three games of the season, and instead of pigeon holing a player out of position, Atlanta sent Ambrose, a natural full back, to fill in. It’s that kind of assistance that makes an affiliation successful, and both parties will surely hope it continues.