| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Anhaeuser | ||
| Date of birth | (1969-08-13)August 13, 1969 (age 56) | ||
| Place of birth | Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1988–1991 | Indiana Hoosiers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1994–1998 | Charleston Battery | 115 | (2) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1999–2004 | Charleston Battery (assistant) | ||
| 2004–2021 | Charleston Battery | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Michael Anhaeuser (born August 13, 1969) is an American formersoccer player and coach. He has spent his entire professional playing career with theCharleston Battery, playing five seasons for the club as amidfielder before moving into the coaching staff. He coached a club team named the Hot Spurs for years while working with the Charleston Battery.
Anhaeuser grew up inFort Wayne, Indiana and attendedIndiana University where he played on the men's soccer team underJerry Yeagley from 1988 to 1991.[1] The Hoosiers won the 1988NCAA Men's Soccer Championship in his freshman season.
Following his college career Anhaeuser trialed inGermany withBundesliga clubsSchalke 04 andVfL Bochum and played in their reserve teams. In 1994, he signed a professional contract with theCharleston Battery of theUSISL. He spent five seasons a midfielder with the Battery, making over 100 appearances and winning the 1996 league championship while also working a day job in research and development for the club's corporate parentBlackbaud. Anhaeuser tore hisanterior cruciate ligament during the 1999 pre-season and retired from playing professionally.
Anhaeuser spent much of his playing career coachingLowcountry junior clubs and to this day continues to handle teams in the Battery's youth system. After retiring from playing in 1999, he moved into an assistant coaching role with the Battery under managersAlan Dicks andChris Ramsey. After the departure of Ramsey in 2005, he was elevated to the position of head coach.
In 2006, he was named the USL-1 Coach of the Year after he took the Battery to the post-season semifinals and the third round of theU.S. Open Cup.[2] The team were the first lower division side since 1999 to play in the U.S. Open Cup final, finishing as runners-up in the2008 edition.[3] Anhaeuser led the Battery to a USL Division 2 championship in 2010 and aUSL Championship title in 2012 after the club moved up to the second division.[4]
In 2008, he was also given the title of general manager of the Battery, overseeing all soccer operations at the club.[citation needed] Following the 2013 season, Anhaeuser was inducted to the USL Hall of Fame.[5]
After 17 years as head coach of theCharleston Battery, Anhaeuser and the club parted ways on November 1, 2021.[6]