Story by Matt Young. Photo by Kelsey.

Cary, NC – With a first half 5-goal onslaught by the Railhawks, the WakeMed Park crowd saw the Cary-based team finding the back of the net a total of 6 times in Tuesday nights’ US Open Match. Next up: David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy.

Scoring Drought Broken by Deluge

For the first 45 minutes, the ‘Hawks were seemingly banging them home at will on Tuesday night.

It was a nice release for the team and the home crowd – finally seeing some welcomed scoring.

They went on to beat the PSA Elite (Irvine,California) team, who went scoreless in this match.

The PSA Elite is an amateur Association Club with a mixture of prospects and experienced players. Notably both Mikey Lopez and Jordan Gafa, who were members of the 2011 National Champion UNC Men’s Soccer team, play for PSA Elite.

First Half – Hats Off to Shriver

The first 45 minutes had Shriver finding the goal 3 times for a hat trick. The RailHawks had outshot their opponent 14-5 in the period.

Brian Shriver had a great near miss shot after a pass from Zimmerman in the 4th minute. After that he was magic.

In the 7th minute, Shriver scored on an unselfish assist from Cary native Zack Schilawski on a breakaway. Midfielder Austin Da Luz set the play up.

In the 9th, Lowery scored off of a corner kick.

In the 23nd, it was Da Luz to Shriver, who opted not to pass to Breiner Ortiz staring at an open net on the left.

The 40th saw the Shriver- Schilawski combo again with Shriver netting number 3.

At 40:12, Schilawski scored on an assist from Ortiz. Fullback Cory Elenio set the play up.

There were several missed opportunities by the Railhawks, believe it or not.

Ball Control

The second half saw the RailHawks control the ball with short passes in triangle formations.

Shriver scored his fourth of the night after a shot was temporarily stopped by PSA Elite Goalkeeper Trevor Widdon.

Next Up: LA Galaxy and David Beckham

The ‘Hawks will face the the L.A. Galaxy from the Western Conference in the next round at WakeMed Soccer Park on Tuesday, May 29. Tickets are still available.

The Galaxy has a line-up of big names: Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and David Beckham.

L.A. won the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup in 2011. This year, they’re in 9th place in the West with a 3-6-2 record.

RailHawks great deal – for $33 you will be guaranteed a Premium seat to see the L.A. Galaxy and two more RailHawks games including the July 3 Fireworks Extravaganza and the Regular Season Finale. You can order tickets by calling the Cruizers Box Office at (919) 459-8144.

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Coverage on CaryCitizen is sponsored in part by Garden Supply Company on Old Apex Road in Cary.

Story by Matt Young. Photos by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – A Carolina Railhawks (0-5-4) full house hosted the first place Puerto Rico Islanders (5-2-1) Saturday night. It was not easy to tell who the NASL’s number one team was.

In the end, the RailHawks left WakeMed Soccer Park with yet another tie. The crowd was vocal with rival fans representing both teams making lots of noise.

I even saw two kids with defenseman Gale Agbossoumonde mohawk hair-dos.

Islanders Rematch

The RailHawks were beaten in Bayamón, Puerto Rico at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium by a score of 3-1 on April 21.

This time the RailHawks dominated. The line-up got a shake-up in this game with midfielder Austin Da Luz from Wake Forest starting for the first time. Midfielder Breiner Ortiz from Columbia started for the first time this season as well.

First Half

The RailHawks had four corner kicks in the first 10 minutes – in the 9th minute, the Railhawks’ Cary native Zack Schilawski almost scored off a corner kick.

While most of the play early in the first half was in the Islander’s end, in the 13th minute, RailHawks GK Ray Burse was forced to make a spectacular save on a push-ahead pass to the small, but speedy Islanders’ forward line.

A pesky Jonathan Faña was to have several near misses like this throughout the game.

David Foley in the 34th minute was given a free kick near the left corner flag. Needham headed it to Jonathan Faña who chested it in giving the Islanders a 1-0 lead.

RailHawks Come Back

The RailHawks played well in an exciting second half to the delight of the crowd.

Nick Zimmerman made a spectacular over the head kick to assist on a Shriver volley kick for a goal in the 49th minute.

Zimmerman, Schilawski and Da Luz made several standout plays in the second half.

In the 77th minute Ackley just missed what would have been the go-ahead goal with a header that went wide right.

A Visit from the Galaxy?

The RailHawks have a special match on Tuesday, May 22nd to face PSA Elite at 7:00 PM ET for the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup.

With a victory on Tuesday, the RailHawks will host reigning MLS Champions, L.A. Galaxy on May 29th at 7:00 PM in the Third Round of the competition.

Tickets for the Tuesday match can be purchased online at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com or by calling the Box Office at 919-459-8144.

Story by Lindsey Chester.

Cary, NC – Cary has a strong soccer tradition – in the high schools, at the club-level and even a professional team. This summer, aspiring players can learn, improve and practice with the pros at the Carolina RailHawks Summer Soccer Camps. Call it the Cary Soccer Advantage.

Soccer Camp with the RailHawks

For the sixth year in a row, the RailHawks will run soccer camps at WakeMed Soccer park in Cary beginning in May and running through August. Most of the 18 camps are held in the evening, but teams can also have team camps at satellite facilities.

I spoke with Pete Sciandra, Senior Vice President of the RailHawks about what makes RailHawks Soccer Camps such a unique experience.

Three Fundamental Things

1. Play with the Pros

Unlike any soccer camp in the area, these are taught by current RailHawks players who have played not only in the US, but at the highest levels in the English Premier League and others around the world. This offers kids a unique opportunity to actually interact with these athletes.

2. World Class Field and Facility

All camps are held at Wake Med Soccer Park which has arguably some of the best soccer fields in the world on which to play. Kids will play right where the pros play and practice.

3. Positive and Encouraging

The team’s belief is that the best way to learn is where athletes are free to make mistakes while enjoying the game. Building the technical and tactical skills, helps to build the passion for the game. The more passion, the more they enjoy playing, to the point where the kids will want to play on their own.

Pete acknowledges that there a lot of good programs out there, but the fact remains that they are not always an environment where you can make mistakes. That pressure can sometime sap the fun out of playing.

All Skill Levels Welcome

The camps will run for ages 8-15 for both boys and girls. Kids are separated by age and ability with a ratio of 12:1 coach. There are specialty camps that focus on specific skills (goalkeeping or defending for instance) and development camps geared to school try-outs. A new concept was launched this year called “Ginga Camp” based on a Brazilian concept of “creative style” and the way the Brazilian players play with joy and movement. This camp will feature non-traditional games and drills to put more fun back into the learning.

The camps are directed by Head RailHawks coach Colin Clarke and Assistant CoachPlayer Greg Shields. The two develop the curriculum and then meet with the players who will be coaching to instruct them on the execution of the camps. Most camps meet in the evenings, running 6-8:30 rather than full day.

RailHawks Summer Camps are not to be confused with an introductory course in soccer or a day camp. These camps are geared for the slightly more serious athlete, looking to improve. There’s no movie or snack time during these action- packed 2-1/2 hour camp evenings.

RailHawks Summer Soccer Camps

For more information including schedules, visit CarolinaRailHawks/SummerCamps.

Now get out there and bend it like Beckham.

Story by Matt Young. Photos by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – Last week, the Carolina RailHawks faced the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at Wake Med Soccer Park. The CaryCitizen team was there, in the SkyBox, as guests of the RailHawks organization.

It was a great night – beautiful evening weather and an up-tempo, high-scoring game. I even got to sit next to the League Commissioner during the second half!

Taste of the Triangle

The evening kicked off with the RailHawks’ 4th Annual Taste of the Triangle. Restaurants and craft beer vendors from around the Triangle were on hand serving food and drinks and passing out samples of their wares.

RailHawks Barely Miss First Win

The RailHawks carried the play most of the game, but got a little leg weary as the game went on and the Strikers came back on the scoreboard.

The RailHawks are now 0-3-3.

Cary Native Gets Start

Cary’s own Zack Schilawski got his first start with the RailHawks Wednesday night after spending two seasons in Major League Soccer with the New England Revolution.

The first half found the RailHawks getting the lead 1-0, with Forward Brian Shriver scoring for the Hawks after a great set up by Schilawski. Shriver leads the team in scoring. The RailHawks had 5 shots to the Strikers’ 4 in the first half.

Second Half Scoring Action

I sat next to NASL Commissioner David Downs in the second half. He was happy to share what he was Tweeting during the game. We also had a laugh at some of the more rabid soccer fans’ Tweets. Great stuff.

The RailHawks really carried the play and Zimmerman scored early in the half with a Shriver assist.  Zimmerman ran to the corner and did a perfect salsa dance to his team mates’ – and the crowd’s – delight.

The Strikers scored in minute 61 on a free kick by Laing. Carolina’s Zimmerman countered with a goal in the 65th minute (another salsa dance).

With the score 3-1, Restrepo quickly scored for the Strikers. They then tied it with an unstoppable shot by Mark Anderson.

Try It

Incidentally, we brought a “non-soccer-fan” with us. He was hooked. RailHawks soccer is hard to beat as a family night out – lots of fun and at an affordable price.

RailHawks Update

The RailHawks headed north to face Edmonton on Sunday May 6 in an away match, falling by a score of 3-0.

They return to WakeMed Soccer Park on May 19 to face the Puerto Rico Islanders. Get tickets.

Story by Hal Goodtree. Photo of 2006 College Cup in Cary by Jarret Campbell.

Cary, NC – The NCAA has announced that the Division 1 Women’s College Cup will return to Cary in 2013. The College Cup is the championship tournament of NCAA soccer.

NCAA Selects Cary

In a statement from the NCAA:

The NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Soccer Committees have selected Philadelphia, Pa., and Cary, N.C., to serve as the hosts for the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships, respectively.

Record Sixth Selection

The 2013 Men’s championship will be hosted by Villanova and played in Philadelphia, a first for the City of Brotherly Love.

Cary will host the tournament on December 6 and 8, 2013 at Wake Med Soccer Park, hosted by Campbell University.

The women’s soccer championship is in Cary for the sixth time, a record for this event. according to the NCAA. Cary previously served as the hosts in 2003, ’04, ’06, ’08 and ’10.

Stadium Expansion Pays Dividends

I was at a RailHawks game last night and the construction of the new seating is well under way. The remodeled stadium will hold about 10,000 fans.

The expansion no doubt helped return the College Cup to Cary. Raising attendance for college soccer is a key goal of the NCAA, and that means bigger venues.

Regions Park in Hoover, AL, the site of last year’s men’s finals, has a capacity of 13,000. UC Santa Barbara drew over 15,000 fans for a match against UCLA.

Economic Impact

The NCAA College Cup brings millions in spending to Cary. Thumbnail estimate: 10,000 fans x $400 a piece = $4,000,000.

Add in events at USA Baseball, Cary Tennis Park and the SAS Championship and we’re talking a lot of money.

Here’s how I understand economic impact: visitors spend the money in hotels and restaurants. Those places hire more people, or work their staff more hours. The workers have more money, some of which goes to meals in Cary, shopping in Cary, a show at Booth Amphitheatre or a new car at AutoParkMall.

Cary – “A Landmark Location”

The NCAA had this to say about Cary:

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to showcase our men’s soccer student-athletes and championship to a new city, as well as return our women’s soccer student-athletes and their championship to a landmark location to compete for a national championship,” said Joni Comstock, NCAA senior vice president of championships and alliances.

Well-earned congratulations to Town of Cary staff, Wake Med Soccer Park, Campbell University, the Cary Sports Alliance and all those who worked to bring the College Cup back to Cary. Score one for the home team.

Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – One of the advantages of having a professional soccer team in Cary is the opportunity for kids to learn from the pros. Starting in May, the Carolina RailHawks will be offering a full summer of camps to improve student-players at all levels.

RailHawks Soccer Camps

Each camp is four days and focuses on one particular skill area:

• Club Tryout Prep Camp
• Development Camp
• Defender Camp
• Goal Keeper Camp
• Ginga Camp (Brazilian style)
• Finishing Camp

The series of camps repeats all summer (except Club Tryout which is only offered in May). See RailHawks Camps for more info.

Story from staff reports. Photos by Tom Mousseau.

Cary, NC – The Carolina RailHawks beat their own old coach and sent the MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC packing on Sunday afternoon in Cary.

Game Recap

A blustery Sunday afternoon was the home pre-season opener for the 2012 RailHawks, a “friendly” against a Major League Soccer club. The Vancouver Whitecaps traveled all the way across the continent to play against their new coach’s old team. Martin Rennie might have wished he’d stayed home.

The RailHawks struck fast in the 6th minute on a header from veteran Amir Lowery. Vancouver evened it up in the 49th minute, but Brian Shiver found the back of the net for the Hawks in the 71st minute.

The Whitecaps evened the score in the 90th minute. The match finished 2-2 in regular time and the RailHawks secured the win 4-2 in PK’s.

Pictures

Tom Mousseau was there for CaryCitizen to document the RailHawks win on Sunday.

Story by Hal Goodtree. Photo by Tom Mousseau.

Cary, NC – ESPN has released its high school soccer All-American list. Andrew Chadwick of Green Hope High School in Cary was named ESPN High School Soccer All-American Coach of the Year.

ESPN’s annual Fall Soccer All-American list includes 36 players – first, second and third team – plus one coach.

Coach Chadwick led the Green Hope boys squad to a state 4A championship in 2011. His overall record as a coach was 185-44-18.

The Email Bombshell

We asked Coach Chadwick about his reaction to the award. Did he know he was a candidate?

“No,” said the Coach, “I did not know about the award until ESPN emailed me. I was very surprised. I did not [even] know I was in the running.”

He continued, “To be named the High School coach of the year for the entire country is amazing and I’m so honored. To me, it speaks to the quality of our players and the program we built at Green Hope.”

“Every year, we had kids move to Cary to play for Green Hope and that is one of the most rewarding things to me, that kids wanted to move to play for us.”

Secret to Success

We asked Coach Chadwick about his keys to success.

“When I started in 2002, I had a very talented team, we did very well winning 22 games and losing 2, but we lost to Millbrook in the 3rd round of states. I was gutted, just like the team.”

The coach continued, “I was a good player, know the game, work hard and have  passion, but I wasn’t a very good coach, so I got educated. I spent every summer of the next 4 years progressing through the National soccer licensing program, D, C, B and finally the A license. There are less than 1,250 coaches in the U.S. with an A license.”

“I continued to work hard, experiment with teams, stayed passionate and studied the game. I can’t watch Manchester United or Barcelona and enjoy the game as a fan, I’m trying to figure out the purpose behind every action.”

“After every loss, even though it was just high school, I would not sleep well, I’d be up at 2 AM watching videos of the loss or making notes. My wife thought I was crazy.”

Next for Coach Chadwick?

Coach Chadwick announced last fall his plan to retire at the end of 2011 soccer season.

We asked him about his dreams for the future. Sports writer? Turn pro?

The Coach responded, “I will be an overqualified  recreational soccer coach for my daughter’s 6 year old team . One day, maybe I’ll return to high school or college coaching. Now it is time to coach my own kids in sports and in life.”

It’s a sure bet that if ESPN has a rec coach of the year, Andrew Chadwick will be in the running.

Story and photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – The big drama this weekend in Cary won’t be on a stage. It will be on the field at WakeMed Soccer Park. 

Drama at Soccer Park

The dark winter is over when the Carolina RailHawks start playing again in Cary. Sunday is their first pre-season game, and it’s a doozie.

The pre-season home opener is against an MLS team. Major League Soccer is for big cities like Los Angeles, home to David Beckham. It’s like the Durham Bulls playing the Cubs.

But the drama goes even deeper: this “friendly” match is against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The man at the helm is Martin Rennie, longtime RailHawks head coach. It’s Rennie’s first trip back to Cary. It’s his homecoming, of sorts.

Will the fans be nice? (Probably) Will the team want to kick his shorts? (Definitely) Can they win? (Maybe)

Event Details

RailHawks vs MLS Vancouver Whitecaps
Sunday March 4, 2012
Kickoff at 3 PM
Tickets

You can also drive over to Soccer Park and purchase tickets at the box office.

Story and photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – Just seven weeks into the off-season, it’s been a busy time for the Carolina RailHawks, Cary’s professional NASL soccer team. They’ve hired a new coach, set the first two games of 2012 and are getting a stadium expansion.

N. Ireland Soccer Legend Colin Clarke New RailHawks Coach

Last week, the RailHawks introduced new head coach Colin Clarke to the public and the press at Page-Walker in downtown Cary.

Clarke comes over from arch-rival Puerto Rico Islanders. The Hawks and the Islanders have been dueling it out for division leadership for the past couple of years, and the selection of Clarke makes perfect sense.

Prior to coaching Puerto Rico, Clarke was head coach for the Dallas Burn and the Richmond Kickers. In Richmond, Clarke worked directly with RailHawks president Curt Johnson, GM of the Kickers at that time.

As a player, Colin Clarke played professionally in England for twelve years, including stints with first division clubs Southampton, Portsmouth and Queens Park Rangers. He play for N. Ireland in the 1986 World Cup and appeared in 38 games for the Northern Ireland national team. From the RailHawks:

Appearing 38 times for the Northern Ireland National Team, Clarke recorded a World Cup goal, a hat-trick, and finished his career as the all-time leading goal scorer for Northern Ireland.

First Game is Against the Old Coach

No pressure on the new coach, but the first game is against the old coach, Martin Rennie, and his MLS Vancouver Whitecaps.

It will be the season’s first exhibition match on Sunday March 4, 2012.

“Hosting a high profile Major League Soccer exhibition against Martin Rennie and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC is the perfect way to begin our 2012 season,” said RailHawks President Curt Johnson.  “We want to test ourselves against MLS on the field and continue to showcase our fans, WakeMed Soccer Park, and the new RailHawks organization to soccer fans throughout North America.”

Home Opener April 14

The Hawks also announced that the 2012 home opener will be on Saturday, April 14, 2012 against the Atlanta Silverbacks.

The season opens a week earlier with the RailHawks away against the NASL champion Minnesota Stars.

Stadium Upgrade

In the meantime, work has begun on a ten-month expansion of Wake Med Soccer Park to 10,000 seats.

The $6.3 million project will add 1,500 seats on the north side and 1,500 seats on the east side. The eastern end of the stadium will also get a three-tiered structure including restrooms, concessions, multi-purpose space and new team locker rooms.

Town of Cary graphic from March 2011. Shows east end expansion.

$5.8 million comes from Wake County and the City of Raleigh hotel and food tax, known officially as the interlocal occupancy tax. The stadium was built in 2002 by Wake County on land provided by the state of North Carolina. According to the Town of Cary, 360,000 fans annually visit Wake Med Soccer Park bringing an economic impact of $12 million to the region.

The main impetus to expand the stadium is to stay competitive with other cities for lucrative NCAA matches. Over this last weekend, the UNC Tar Heels won the NCAA College Cup soccer championship over Charlotte by a score of 1-0 in front of 8,777 fans at Regions Park in Hoover, Alabama just south of Birmingham. In the past, Cary has played host to NCAA Div I, II and III men’s and women’s matches.

For RailHawks fans, the expansion means more amenities and more choices for seating and groups. Players, coaches and refs will enjoy the new locker rooms. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2012.