Will Host In U.S. Open Cup Third Round
A year ago the NASL Carolina RailHawks turned their season around with a 2-1 victory over the defending MSL champion Los Angeles Galaxy before a soldout crowd at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
They would like to have another shot at the Galaxy again on home turf in the third round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. But first, there is a May 22 second-round meeting with the USL Premier Development League Carolina Dynamo.
The Dynamo is loaded once again with outstanding collegiate talent, so a RailHawks victory isn’t a sure thing.
The Dynamo survived a first-round scare before drawing 4-4 at home against Chattanooga FC of the National Premier Soccer League and advancing in a 4-2 penalty kick shootout.
Former UNC Greensboro forward Hakan Ilhan scored three goals against Chattanooga.
The RailHawks are tied for first place in the NASL with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, each with 11 points. They dropped their first game of the season 2-0 on the road against the third-place Atlanta Silverbacks.
The RailHawks moved into first place with a 5-2 win over San Antonio on May 11 before a crowd of 6,708. After that game they placed four players, defender Julius James, midfielder Austin Da Luz and forwards Zach Schilawski and Brian Shriver, on the league’s 11-player Team of the Week.
Against the Silverbacks, the RailHawks went down a man when Floyd Franks received a red card ejection in the first half.
“Tonight’s result was unfortunate,” said RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke. “The slow start put us in a hole, but I thought we regrouped well and earned the better of the chances.
“The guys fought hard and had a couple things one the other way, I think we could have had a more favorable result.”
Atlanta’s first score came on a Carolina own goal six minutes into the game.
The RailHawks roster got a boost in early May before the close of the transfer window by signing two veteran players, Costa Rican midfielder Cesar Elizondo and Scottish defender Ken Rutkiewicz. Elizondo has 10 appearances with Costa Rica’s senior national team.
The RailHawks also acquired former UNC Tar Heel Enzo Martinez through a loan with Real Salt Lake of MLS. His deal paid off almost immediately as his 30-yard strike earned the RailHawks a 2-2 draw with Minnesota.