This week, Granite, Ryan, and Patrick are joined by Charleston Battery’s own Tanner Clay—the face, feet, and force behind the business side of the Club. From revenue strategies and TV rights to pro/rel dreams and food truck diplomacy, Tanner gives a candid look at what it takes to keep a USL Championship team thriving.

Show Notes

Guest: Tanner Clay, Senior Business Dude (not his actual title, but it should be) at Charleston Battery

Topics Covered:

Tanner's journey from College of Charleston player to club executive

The revenue puzzle: tickets, sponsorships, TV deals, and merch

How the Battery hustles with a lean front office team

Promotion & relegation: Could it change everything?

TV rights, goals of the week, and the power of national exposure

Retention of players, coaches, and staff in the USL

Why your neighborhood food truck matters on match day

How fans are the best (and most underrated) marketing team

Key Quote:

“The smaller the club, the more important it is to be invested in the community… and when fans don’t feel heard, we all know what can happen.”

Call to Action

If you love the Battery, tell a friend. Be the guy (or gal) who takes someone to their first match. Word of mouth is powerful—just ask Tanner.

The Charleston Battery just served up a double-dose of dominance, and the Cannon Crüe is on one.

Granit, Ryan, and Patrick open with Charleston’s biggest moment of the season: a third-straight win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, ending their Jaegermeister Cup hopes, keeping the No Quarter Derby Trophy firmly in Charleston, and crushing their Jaegermeister Cup dreams and sending them straight to Davy Jones' Locker. There’s controversy, there’s violence (looking at you, Christian Garner backheel foul), and there’s plenty of spice — including some pointed referee critiques and theories about dark arts at play.

Then it’s on to the Miami match, where the Battery kept their momentum rolling with a solid home win, controlling the game from midfield and continuing to climb the table.

From on-field brilliance to referee blunders, from Christian Garner getting kicked to the No Quarter Derby Trophy staying in Charleston, this episode fires on all cylinders — with a heavy dose of pirate trash talk and well-earned rivalry gloating.

In this episode of The Cannon Crue, Granit, Patrick, and Ryan break down the Charleston Battery’s gritty 2–1 away win against New Mexico United in a match full of chaos: rain delays, crowd chirping, refereeing madness, and some beautiful moments of football like Nate winding up New Mexico!

🎯 What’s Inside:

• Dos Santos opens the scoring and stirs the New Mexico faithful
• The ref everyone loves to hate—and why the guys want the USL to do better
• Tactical shifts: Kelly’s role on the wing, Ikaza’s man-of-the-match showing, and Rubio finally finishing
• VAR in USL? The Crue isn’t so sure
• Ref accountability and whether Sunday League refs are any better
• A preview of the Miami revenge match with bold scoreline predictions
• Tailgate logistics, taco truck tactics, and water disguised as water

🔥 Crue's MOTM: Emilo – bringing the energy and technical sharpness

📍 Next Match: vs Miami FC – Saturday at 7:30 PM, Patriots Point

🍻 Tailgate: look for Palmer (currently undefeated)

In this episode of Cannon Crüe, Granit and Ryan break down the Charleston Battery’s back-to-back clean sheets, analyze the impact of Joey, Smith, Nate, and Blackstock in defense, and explore midfield rotations that are shaping the team's identity.

The Crüe also shares tales from the Southern Darby (with some YMCA league flair), discusses the coaching mindset, and previews a crucial road matchup against Western Conference leaders New Mexico United.

Plus: an pub scouting report, a breakdown of Landry’s yellow card strategy, and wild humidity stats that somehow matter!

🎯 Topics Covered:

Birmingham and North Carolina match reviews

Joey’s leadership and defensive consistency

Blackstock’s emergence

Emilio's CAM role = GOAL!

Kelly’s role in midfield

Forward rotations and finishing struggles

Predictions and altitude banter ahead of New Mexico clash

Prediction Corner:

Granit: Battery win 2-0 (Goals from Juan David and Landry)

Ryan: Battery win 2-1 (Landry scores key goal)

“Joey’s a great example of being at the right place, right time, and working your ass off.”

“Eight yellow cards and two clean sheets — I’ll take it.”

“We can score from anywhere — we just gotta keep that up.”

“Humidity 110% in Charleston, 21% in Albuquerque. Let’s pack some lotion.”

Charleston Battery, USL Championship, Charleston Soccer Podcast, Cannon Crüe, Charleston Battery Podcast, Soccer Tactics, Battery vs Birmingham, Battery vs North Carolina FC, New Mexico United, USL Match Preview, Soccer Commentary, Charleston Battery Supporters, Blackstock, Joey, Ben Pirmann, Cal Jennings, Landry Soccer, Charleston SC Sports

Hey all! I'm trying to get this out with very spotty communications and on vaca!

Granit

Episode Breakdown – Charleston Battery vs. Phoenix Rising (4–1)

The Battery rise and Phoenix folds—again. In this week's episode of Cannon Crüe, Granit, Ryan, and Patrick break down Charleston’s dominant 4–1 win over Phoenix Rising. Featuring a surprise roast from 10-year-old Harper, love for Arturo’s breakout performance, Landry’s absolute banger, MD's opening goal, and big questions about lineup rotation, this episode is packed with post-match passion, smart analysis, and a few caffeinated dad jokes.

Special Guest: Harper (10 years old!)

She kicks off the show with some Phoenix-roasting jokes that'll have you cackling into your pint. ("Why don’t Phoenix Rising players like fireworks night?...")

Match Analysis:

• Arturo’s “I’m Him” performance finally arrives—Ben Pierman must be proud.
• MD Myers keeps scoring while Juan David Torres keeps assisting. Is there a better duo in USL?
• Landry’s long-range rocket might be the goal of the season.
• Defensive depth creates a welcome dilemma: Archer, Edwards, Graham, Joey—who starts?
• What do you do with Cal and Malloy on the bench and a midfield packed with talent?

Player Spotlights:

• Arturo Rodriguez: from inconsistent to midfield commander.
• Landry: Swiss army knife of the squad—midfield, defense, left wing, SportsCenter highlight machine.
• Joey: Biologist, future doctor, fan favorite.
• Jeremy Kelly: New signee with EFL experience and ties to Coach Pearman.

Bonus Banter:

• The Jaegermeister Cup: Does it matter? Should we care?
• Pitch conditions: Is Granit about to take over field maintenance?
• Christian’s clean sheet predictions.
• Baby’s first match (and Patrick’s caffeine blood level check-in).

This week on Cannon Crüe, Granit and Ryan hold down the fort while Patrick adjusts to life as a new dad. The duo recaps Charleston Battery’s strong showing against Hartford, dives deep into the frustrations of a sweltering draw in Miami, and previews the highly anticipated rematch with Phoenix Rising. Along the way, they discuss youth coaching on the beach, hydration strategies for the 2026 World Cup, swamp coolers, and the fine art of time wasting. Also: Pitbull owns a stadium?!

• Battery vs Hartford recap: dominant goals from Landry and MD Myers
• Miami analysis: defensive misstep, attacking frustration, and referee woes
• Beach training benefits & Central Virginia vs Coastal SC development
• Weather, altitude, and their effect on match readiness
• World Cup 2026: are teams ready for the American summer heat?
• Previewing the Phoenix Rising match: time to finally beat them
• Supporter section shoutouts, pub watch stories, and why you should visit the Regiment tailgate

This week, the Crüe breaks down the Charleston Battery’s gritty 1-1 draw against Loudoun United. From baby-watch updates and wedding festivities to pitch conditions and referee drama, no topic is off-limits. MD Myers bags another, the boys rage about bad camera work and corner flags on cones, and everyone tries to decode why we're second on the table.

Plus:

• Landry’s yellow card situation – was the sub the right call?
• Should he start vs. Hartford?
• Loudoun’s press: exhausting or brilliant?
• Is Abu Korra the one that got away?
• And of course... score predictions for the Battery’s trip to soggy Connecticut.

Key Talking Points:

• Missed chances and chaos before halftime
• J.D. Torres... or is it Juan David? Announcer beef returns
• Should Nate step into Landry’s boots?
• Why Loudoun’s press worked – and how the Battery handled it

• Patrick: 3-0 Battery win, MD Myers hat trick
• Ryan: 4-1 Battery, MD brace, Icaza goal
• Granit: 2-0 Battery, JD Torres with a brace

Next Match:

Charleston Battery @ Hartford Athletic

Saturday, June 14 | 🕖 7 PM ET

Forecast: 70% chance of rain, bring the rags for the cameramen.