Portsmouth end trip with draw against Charleston

English soccer club Portsmouth ended nearly two weeks of preseason training with a scoreless draw against the Charleston Battery on Wednesday night.

Portsmouth had prepped for the English League Championship season here since the middle of July, working out most days in 100-degree heat to get ready for its league opener with Middlesbrough on Aug. 6. Pompey had hoped to leave with a victory, but didn't generate many scoring chances in the match's final 30 minutes against what has been one of the best defensive teams in the USL.

Portsmouth's best opportunities down the stretch came off the foot of striker Luke Varney, the last of which came in the 87th minute when he quick-shot a ball into the chest of goalie Keith Wiggins.