NASL: Triangle Offense, Indy Week

Shake-up unfolding in NASL front office staff, per internal league memo

Neil Morris — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:30:00 -0400

A shake-up in the front office of the North American Soccer League (NASL) is currently taking place, with at least three full-time staffers and a contract employee leaving the league by the end of this month.

According to an internal league memorandum from NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson obtained by INDY Week, Chief Operating Officer Darren McCartney, Communications Director Kartik Krishnaiyer and graphic artist Derek Reese are leaving their positions with the league.…

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup potential third round matches announced, including possible return visit by L.A. Galaxy to Cary to face RailHawks

Neil Morris — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:49:00 -0400

A visit from the defending Major League Soccer champion awaits the winner of the Carolina RailHawks and Carolina Dynamo match in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup next Tuesday, May 21 in Cary.

This is but one of the potential U.S. Open Cup third round pairings and venues announced Wednesday by U.S. Soccer.…

Carolina RailHawks stings San Antonio Scorpions 5-2, sits alone atop NASL standings

Neil Morris — Sun, 12 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

WAKEMED SOCCER PARK/CARY—"Whereof what's past is prologue." The Tempest (2.1.253-54)

Late in the unbeaten Carolina RailHawks’ 5-2 win over the San Antonio Scorpions Saturday evening, Carolina manager Colin Clarke was exhorting his team to continue attacking in search of goals.…

Late golazo by Enzo Martinez gives Carolina RailHawks 2-2 draw with Minnesota United FC despite brace from Etienne Barbara

Neil Morris — Sat, 04 May 2013 23:48:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS/ WEBCAST—The last time Etienne Barbara and Pablo Campos appeared in the same starting XI was October 15, 2011 as the potent striking tandem for the 2011 Carolina RailHawks. That night, the RailHawks were eliminated from the NASL playoffs in an epic shootout loss to the NSC Minnesota Stars.…

Carolina RailHawks acquire Enzo Martinez on loan from Real Salt Lake, other player arrivals imminent

Neil Morris — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:38:00 -0400

The Carolina RailHawks are currently sitting atop the North American Soccer League standings. But that doesn’t mean they’re standing pat with their roster.…

Caliente Carolina RailHawks storm the Fort Lauderdale Strikers for 3-1 win

Neil Morris — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0400

WAKEMED SOCCER PARK/CARY—The last time the Carolina RailHawks defeated the Fort Lauderdale Strikers during the NASL regular season was August 20, 2011, a span of five matches. [The RailHawks did oust the Strikers in the quarterfinals of last season’s playoffs, but such nitpicking doesn’t make for a punchy lede.]…

Nesting RailHawks: Carolina prevails 2-1 over FC Edmonton in NASL home opener

Neil Morris — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0400

WAKEMED SOCCER PARK/CARY—After a preseason that included friendlies against MLS and Liga MX competition—the latter setting a new club attendance record—it seemed a bit anticlimactic for the Carolina RailHawks to host a ribbon-cutting Saturday night christening the New WakeMed Soccer Park™ prior to the team’s NASL home opener against FC Edmonton. But, with a transition from the past (both recent and distant) the distinct backdrop of the evening, the RailHawks downed FC Edmonton 2-1 for Carolina’s first win of the 2013 regular season.…

Carolina RailHawks open 2013 season with 0-0 draw at Tampa Bay Rowdies

Neil Morris — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 23:12:00 -0400

WEBCAST—The Carolina RailHawks entered their opening match of the 2013 NASL regular season full of vigor on offense and anxiety on defense. However, the opposite proved true against the Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday night at “Progress Energy Park, home of Al Lang Field” in St. Petersburg, Fla. As the RailHawks’ midfield struggled all evening against a spry Rowdies side, it fell to Carolina’s back line and goalkeeper to preserve a 0-0 road draw in front of 4,232 rowdy Rowdies partisans.…

Code Name Continuity: Carolina RailHawks hope to soar into 2013 NASL season

Neil Morris — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:48:00 -0400

Following an off-season of upheaval for several teams around the North American Soccer League, the buzzword around the Carolina RailHawks entering their 2013 campaign is continuity. For the first time in five years, the club did not change its owner, president or head coach during the off-season, allowing the front office to sharpen its focus on the sort of connection building that team president Curt Johnson is so fond of foisting.…

Paul Hamilton, former FC Edmonton defender, joins Carolina RailHawks camp

Neil Morris — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:06:00 -0400

Paul Hamilton, a defender formerly with FC Edmonton, has begun training with the Carolina RailHawks. After the parties agreed to tentative terms late last week, the RailHawks flew Hamilton to Charleston, S.C., where Carolina had traveled for a preseason scrimmage against the Charleston Battery.…

AwakeMed Soccer Park: Pumas de la UNAM defeats Carolina RailHawks 2-1 before club record crowd

Neil Morris — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 05:30:00 -0400

WAKEMED SOCCER PARK/CARY—By the time the clock struck 90 minutes on Wednesday’s friendly between the Carolina RailHawks and Pumas de la UNAM, the scoreboard showed that the celebrated Liga MX visitors defeated the hometown RailHawks 2-1. But, the real winner of this preseason showdown was professional soccer in the Triangle.…

Back to the training ground: Camilo's hat trick buries Carolina RailHawks for 3-0 Whitecaps win

Neil Morris — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 19:56:09 -0500

WAKEMED SOCCER PARK/CARY—The clouds parted, the sun shone and the temperature rose Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park for that seemingly rarest of meteorological phenomenon for Carolina RailHawks’ regulars: fortuitous weather. Unfortunately, the climate on the pitch was far less settled for the home side, as a trio of goals by Camilo Sanvezzo led the Vancouver Whitecaps over the outmatched RailHawks for a 3-0 victory in Carolina’s 5th annual Community Shield match.…

Carolina RailHawks unveils new kit and developmental academy in advance of Sunday's friendly against Vancouver Whitecaps

Neil Morris — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:47:00 -0500

DURHAM—As the Carolina RailHawks prepares for their 5th annual Community Shield match this Sunday against the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer, the RailHawks again kicked off their public relations preseason with another perennial event: the Community Shield Press Conference and Luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Durham. Sparsely attended just a few years ago, today a packed house of players, media, sponsors and area soccer partners filled the hotel’s ballroom, more than a few undoubtedly lured by the buffet lunch provided by the adjoining Ruth’s Chris Steak House.…

Carolina RailHawks sign Jordan Graye, Ciaran O'Brien and Tim Murray for 2013 NASL season

Neil Morris — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:51:57 -0500

The Carolina RailHawks have announced the signing of defender Jordan Graye, midfielder Ciaran O’Brien and goalkeeper Tim Murray for the 2013 NASL season.

Graye is the face most familiar to Triangle soccer fans.…

Carolina RailHawks to host friendly against UNAM Pumas on March 20

Neil Morris — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:15:23 -0500

The Carolina RailHawks will host a friendly against celebrated Liga MX soccer club UNAM Pumas on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, according to reliable sources. Kickoff is tentatively scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Officially labeled Club Universidad Nacional A.C. but known more commonly as Pumas, the first-division Mexican side is one of the most popular clubs in their country, having won seven Primera División championships and four international titles, including three CONCACAF Champions’ Cups.…

NASL releases 2013 Fall Season schedule - In with the Cosmos, out with the Islanders

Neil Morris — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:48:12 -0500

Today, the North American Soccer League (NASL) released their 2013 Fall Season schedule, which will open Saturday, August 3 after a month-long break that begins following the last round of Spring Season games on July 4. The 56-match Fall Season will conclude Saturday, November 2 with a full slate of matches involving all eight NASL clubs.…

Sandwiching the pyramid? MLS and USL Pro strike deal for restructured Reserve League

Neil Morris — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:15:57 -0500

Update, 2 p.m., Jan. 24: Today, USL Pro released their 2013 regular season schedule, revealing further details of this year's edition of the restructured MLS Reserve system. Eighteen of the 19 MLS clubs will participate in some form—only Chivas USA will not have a USL affiliate or play a home-and-home series against a USL Pro opponent.…

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Bill's schedule: Peterson plots circuitous path to NASL commissioner

Neil Morris — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:30:00 -0500

Before making my way to WakeMed Soccer Park at 8 a.m. last Friday to interview Bill Peterson, the new commissioner of the North American Soccer League, I sent a text message to Curt Johnson, president of the Carolina RailHawks, to verify the somewhat uncommon meeting time.

“Yes,” Johnson texted back.…
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Carolina RailHawks announce signing of forward Nicholas Addlery

Neil Morris — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:27:53 -0500

Today, the Carolina RailHawks announced the signing of forward Nicholas Addlery for the 2013 NASL season. Terms of the contract were not publicly disclosed.…
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Indianapolis unveiled as newest NASL expansion franchise

Neil Morris — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:31:19 -0500

Today, the North American Soccer League announced that Indianapolis would be the league's newest expansion franchise, scheduled to begin play beginning with the 2014 season. The announcement was made in conjunction with the NASL AGM and National Soccer Coaches Association of American convention, which kicked off today in Indianapolis.…
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Carolina RailHawks, NASL announce 2013 Spring Season schedule plus Vancouver Whitecaps friendly

Neil Morris — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:38:19 -0500

Today, the Carolina RailHawks, along with the North American Soccer League, announced their 2013 Spring Schedule, which kicks off Saturday, April 6. Seven teams will compete during the spring session, which includes a total of 42 regular season games and runs through July 4.…
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Now it's built, so will they come? First look at expanded WakeMed Soccer Park and other big changes for Carolina RailHawks in 2013

Neil Morris — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 11:24:00 -0500

‘Twas the Thursday before Christmas, when all through WakeMed Soccer Park executives for the Carolina RailHawks were stirring about, some getting their first look inside portions of the three-level addition to the east side of the main stadium, officially designated “Building C.” With the Town of Cary recently completing official inspections of the east tower, team President Curt Johnson, Senior Vice President Pete Sciandra and Aaron Davidson, CEO of the North American Soccer League and Vice President of Traffic Sports USA, the majority stakeholder in the RailHawks, were taking a tour through the new facilities. It’s the final step in a two-part, $6.3 million expansion that launched in November 2011.…
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Puerto Rico Islanders will not compete in Spring Season of NASL's 2013 split regular season

Neil Morris — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:48:00 -0500

UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: The NASL has now released an official statement confirming this announcement.

According to high-ranking league sources, the North American Soccer League (NASL) will announce today that the Puerto Rico Islanders will not participate in the Spring Season under the new split regular season format being instituted by the league in 2013.…
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Carolina RailHawks exercise options on 12 players from 2012 roster

Neil Morris — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:52:28 -0500

Today, the Carolina RailHawks announced that it was exercising club options on the contracts for 12 members of the 2012 roster for the 2013 NASL season. The players are defenders Austen King and Justin Willis; midfielders Austin da Luz, Floyd Franks, Breiner Ortiz, Tiyi Shipalane, Nick Zimmerman, Nick Millington and Jake Beckford; and forwards Brian Ackley, Brian Shriver, and Zack Schilawski.…
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NASL tabs sport exec and former NFL Europe chief Bill Peterson as new commissioner

Neil Morris — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:15:57 -0500

During an afternoon media teleconference, the North American Soccer League (NASL) introduced Bill Peterson as the league’s second commissioner, replacing the outgoing David Downs, who announced his resignation in early October. Peterson, who was born in Smithfield, N.C. and currently resides in Florida, is a career sports executive who comes to the NASL following a two-year stint as president of the board of directors for USA Cycling.…
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