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EspañolCAROLINA RAILHAWKS FC
(Redirected from Carolina Railhawks)
'Carolina RailHawks Football Club' is a professional soccer team located in Cary, North Carolina playing in the USL First Division in the United States.
The expansion of the USL to Cary, NC was announced on January 26, 2006 at a press conference at SAS Soccer Park. Managing Partner Chris Economides of Triangle Professional Soccer announced that he and an ownership group consisting of Frank DuRoss, Steve Donner, and Boris Jerkunica had purchased a USL-1 division expansion franchise and intended to begin play in the Spring of 2007. On October 31, 2006, F. Selby Wellman and his son Brian Wellman joined the team's ownership group.[1]
The team's official name was announced on July 19 2006 at the halftime interval of the 2006 USL All-Star Match. The RailHawk is a fictitious bird of prey that combines the speed and power of the locomotive with the aggressive and fierce nature of a hawk. Cary originally grew out from a depot on the New Bern, NC - Hillsborough, NC rail line and the CSX and Amtrak lines run directly across from the team's grounds. Hawks are indigenous to the area. The name "RailHawks" was chosen as part of a name-the-team contest which was won by 'W. Jarrett Campbell', a soccer blogger and founder of the Triangle Soccer Fanatics, the team's independent supporters club[2]. Campbell received two lifetime season tickets as his prize.
On October 11 2006, former Rochester Rhinos defender Scott Schweitzer was named the first head coach of the Carolina RailHawks. Schweitzer played collegiately at North Carolina State University and retired from play prior to the 2006 season.
On December 5, 2006, the RailHawks named the first players to sign with the franchise. Among the signings were two former UNC Tar Heel players, Chris Carrieri and Caleb Norkus, as well as several other players with Major League Soccer, United Soccer Leagues, and foreign playing experience.
On March 6, 2007, the RailHawks formed a parternship with the Next Level Academy (NLA) and the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) to develop the youth system in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. Youth teams that currently participate under the CASL name in the Super Y-League (boys and girls 13-16) will play under the name CASL RailHawks. Also, the Raleigh Elite, who was operated by the NLA as a member of the USL Premier Development League, will become the U-23 team of the RailHawks program. Their name was changed to the Cary RailHawks U23's. In the future, two Super-20 League teams will be launched (one for men, one for women) in 2008, and a new women's pro team will begin playing in 2009, either in the current W-League of the USL, or in a new women's pro league currently in development.[3]
The club launched their inaugural season on April 21, 2007 in front of a crowd of 6,327 at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, NC when they drew 1-1 with the Minnesota Thunder in their first official regular season match. Midfielder Kupono Low scored the first goal in franchise history when he blasted 24-yard left-footed shot past Thunder keeper Joe Warren in the 8th minute of the inaugural match.[4] On May 8, 2007, the RailHawks earned their first franchise victory 2-0 against Chivas USA in an exhibition match.
On August 14, 2007, with a 3-0 victory over the Charleston Battery, the Carolina RailHawks secured their first piece of hardware, the 2007 Southern Derby Cup, with one match remaining in the contest.
'Charleston Battery and Atlanta Silverbacks'
The Carolina RailHawks are set to join the Southern Derby in 2007, renewing a rivalry first started in 2000 between supporters of the Charleston Battery, Atlanta Silverbacks, and the Raleigh Capital Express. A Triangle-area team has not held the Southern Derby Cup since its inaugural competition in 2000 when Raleigh won the cup 3-1-0 over the Silverbacks and Battery.
The rivalry between the three clubs is further fueled by the fact that current RailHawks coach Scott Schweitzer earned a reputation among Battery supporters as the defender they love to hate during his time as a player for Rochester Rhinos and current Atlanta Silverbacks owner Boris Jerkunica has a partial ownership stake in the RailHawks franchise.
'Rochester Rhinos'
It is anticipated that a rivalry will develop between the RailHawks and Rochester Rhinos due to the close financial and player ties between the two organizations. Current RailHawks GM Chris Economides, as well as current Rhinos President Frank DuRoss and Rhinos CEO Steve Donner all have financial stakes in both clubs. In addition, current RailHawks coach Scott Schweitzer, as well as current RailHawks players Chris Carrieri, Jonny Steele, and Connally Edozien have all played for the Rochester Rhinos.
'Puerto Rico Islanders'
The Carolina RailHawks and Puerto Rico Islanders have a rivalry brewing among the two clubs. Although Islanders supporters were not wild when the RailHawks selected blue and orange kit colors (the same colors as the Islanders), the rivalry begun in earnest when Islanders President Andrés Guillemard-Noble accused the RailHawks of piracy[5] in the signing of Islanders' free agent Caleb Norkus. While the club executive insists that the Islanders had a verbal agreement with Norkus to return to Puerto Rico for the 2007 season, the player refutes that accusation[6], saying the two sides never reached terms and cites the lack of an offered written contract as evidence of their lack of agreement.
''As of July 28, 2007''
'Transfers:' OUT - Sola Abolaji to Vancouver Whitecaps (7/27/2007); IN - Joel John Bailey from Vancouver Whitecaps (7/27/2007)
Assistant Coach - Damon Nahas
Assistant Coach - Mark Girard
Goalkeeping Coach - David Noyes
Equipment Manager - Steven Economides
Trainer - Elise Caceres
^ Televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel
^^ Southern Derby fixtures
^^^ US Open Cup fixtures
^^^^ USL-1 Playoffs fixtures
★ Official Site
★ Team Page on USLSoccer.com
★ Triangle Soccer Fanatics, an independent supporters club of the Carolina RailHawks
★ Audio presentation of the team's name announcement
★ Photos tagged with 'railhawks' on Flickr
1. Local Father and Son Join RailHawks Ownership Team
2. The Hatching of the RailHawks
3. RailHawks Unveil Major Youth Soccer Partnership
4. Carolina RailHawks 1:1 Minnesota Thunder (Box Score)
5. Pirates of the Caribbean?
6. Norkus Refutes Islanders' Piracy Claims
'Carolina RailHawks Football Club' is a professional soccer team located in Cary, North Carolina playing in the USL First Division in the United States.
| Contents |
| History |
| Club Rivalries |
| Current squad |
| Current Staff |
| Current Schedule |
| Year-By-Year |
| External links |
| References |
History
The expansion of the USL to Cary, NC was announced on January 26, 2006 at a press conference at SAS Soccer Park. Managing Partner Chris Economides of Triangle Professional Soccer announced that he and an ownership group consisting of Frank DuRoss, Steve Donner, and Boris Jerkunica had purchased a USL-1 division expansion franchise and intended to begin play in the Spring of 2007. On October 31, 2006, F. Selby Wellman and his son Brian Wellman joined the team's ownership group.[1]
The team's official name was announced on July 19 2006 at the halftime interval of the 2006 USL All-Star Match. The RailHawk is a fictitious bird of prey that combines the speed and power of the locomotive with the aggressive and fierce nature of a hawk. Cary originally grew out from a depot on the New Bern, NC - Hillsborough, NC rail line and the CSX and Amtrak lines run directly across from the team's grounds. Hawks are indigenous to the area. The name "RailHawks" was chosen as part of a name-the-team contest which was won by 'W. Jarrett Campbell', a soccer blogger and founder of the Triangle Soccer Fanatics, the team's independent supporters club[2]. Campbell received two lifetime season tickets as his prize.
On October 11 2006, former Rochester Rhinos defender Scott Schweitzer was named the first head coach of the Carolina RailHawks. Schweitzer played collegiately at North Carolina State University and retired from play prior to the 2006 season.
On December 5, 2006, the RailHawks named the first players to sign with the franchise. Among the signings were two former UNC Tar Heel players, Chris Carrieri and Caleb Norkus, as well as several other players with Major League Soccer, United Soccer Leagues, and foreign playing experience.
On March 6, 2007, the RailHawks formed a parternship with the Next Level Academy (NLA) and the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) to develop the youth system in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. Youth teams that currently participate under the CASL name in the Super Y-League (boys and girls 13-16) will play under the name CASL RailHawks. Also, the Raleigh Elite, who was operated by the NLA as a member of the USL Premier Development League, will become the U-23 team of the RailHawks program. Their name was changed to the Cary RailHawks U23's. In the future, two Super-20 League teams will be launched (one for men, one for women) in 2008, and a new women's pro team will begin playing in 2009, either in the current W-League of the USL, or in a new women's pro league currently in development.[3]
The club launched their inaugural season on April 21, 2007 in front of a crowd of 6,327 at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, NC when they drew 1-1 with the Minnesota Thunder in their first official regular season match. Midfielder Kupono Low scored the first goal in franchise history when he blasted 24-yard left-footed shot past Thunder keeper Joe Warren in the 8th minute of the inaugural match.[4] On May 8, 2007, the RailHawks earned their first franchise victory 2-0 against Chivas USA in an exhibition match.
On August 14, 2007, with a 3-0 victory over the Charleston Battery, the Carolina RailHawks secured their first piece of hardware, the 2007 Southern Derby Cup, with one match remaining in the contest.
Club Rivalries
'Charleston Battery and Atlanta Silverbacks'
The Carolina RailHawks are set to join the Southern Derby in 2007, renewing a rivalry first started in 2000 between supporters of the Charleston Battery, Atlanta Silverbacks, and the Raleigh Capital Express. A Triangle-area team has not held the Southern Derby Cup since its inaugural competition in 2000 when Raleigh won the cup 3-1-0 over the Silverbacks and Battery.
The rivalry between the three clubs is further fueled by the fact that current RailHawks coach Scott Schweitzer earned a reputation among Battery supporters as the defender they love to hate during his time as a player for Rochester Rhinos and current Atlanta Silverbacks owner Boris Jerkunica has a partial ownership stake in the RailHawks franchise.
'Rochester Rhinos'
It is anticipated that a rivalry will develop between the RailHawks and Rochester Rhinos due to the close financial and player ties between the two organizations. Current RailHawks GM Chris Economides, as well as current Rhinos President Frank DuRoss and Rhinos CEO Steve Donner all have financial stakes in both clubs. In addition, current RailHawks coach Scott Schweitzer, as well as current RailHawks players Chris Carrieri, Jonny Steele, and Connally Edozien have all played for the Rochester Rhinos.
'Puerto Rico Islanders'
The Carolina RailHawks and Puerto Rico Islanders have a rivalry brewing among the two clubs. Although Islanders supporters were not wild when the RailHawks selected blue and orange kit colors (the same colors as the Islanders), the rivalry begun in earnest when Islanders President Andrés Guillemard-Noble accused the RailHawks of piracy[5] in the signing of Islanders' free agent Caleb Norkus. While the club executive insists that the Islanders had a verbal agreement with Norkus to return to Puerto Rico for the 2007 season, the player refutes that accusation[6], saying the two sides never reached terms and cites the lack of an offered written contract as evidence of their lack of agreement.
Current squad
''As of July 28, 2007''
'Transfers:' OUT - Sola Abolaji to Vancouver Whitecaps (7/27/2007); IN - Joel John Bailey from Vancouver Whitecaps (7/27/2007)
Current Staff
Assistant Coach - Damon Nahas
Assistant Coach - Mark Girard
Goalkeeping Coach - David Noyes
Equipment Manager - Steven Economides
Trainer - Elise Caceres
Current Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (ET) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Mar 24 | Wake Forest University (exhibition) | SAS Soccer Park, Field #2 | 7:00 PM | 1-3 L |
| Sat, Mar 31 | North Carolina Tar Heels (exhibition) | SAS Soccer Park, Field #2 | 7:00 PM | 0-1 L |
| Wed, Apr 4 | Charlotte Eagles (exhibition) | SAS Soccer Park, Field #2 | 7:00 PM | 1-3 L |
| Sat, Apr 7 | Richmond Kickers (exhibition) | University of Richmond Stadium | 7:00 PM | 1-3 L |
| Fri, Apr 13 | Duke University (exhibition) | Koskinen Stadium, Durham, NC | 7:00 PM | 1-3 L |
| Sat, Apr 21 | Minnesota Thunder | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 1-1 D |
| Sat, Apr 28 | Atlanta Silverbacks | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 0-0 D |
| Fri, May 4 | Puerto Rico Islanders | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 0-0 D |
| Sat, May 5 | Atlanta Silverbacks | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta, GA | 7:55 PM | 0-2 L |
| Tue, May 8 | Chivas USA (exhibition) | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 2-0 W |
| Sat, May 12 | Atlanta Silverbacks^^ | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta, GA | 7:55 PM | 1-2 W |
| Sat, May 19 | Charleston Battery | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 1-0 W |
| Wed, May 23 | Seattle Sounders | Qwest Field, Seattle, WA | 10:00 PM | 0-1 L |
| Fri, May 25 | Vancouver Whitecaps | Swangard Stadium Burnaby, BC | 10:00 PM | 0-1 W |
| Sun, May 27 | Portland Timbers | PGE Park, Portland, OR | 9:00 PM | 0-0 D |
| Fri, Jun 8 | Rochester Raging Rhinos | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 2-2 D |
| Tue, Jun 12 | RWB Adria^^^ | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 4-1 W |
| Fri, Jun 15 | Seattle Sounders^ | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 8:00 PM | 0-1 L |
| Sat, Jun 23 | Charleston Battery^^ | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 2-0 W |
| Tue, Jun 26 | Bavarian SC^^^ | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 4-0 W |
| Tue, Jul 3 | Vancouver Whitecaps | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 8:00 PM | 0-0 D |
| Fri, Jul 6 | Rochester Raging Rhinos^ | PAETEC Park, Rochester, NY | 8:00 PM | 1-2 L |
| Sun, Jul 8 | Montreal Impact | Sherbrooke University Stadium, Sherbrooke, QC | 4:00 PM | 2-2 D |
| Fri, Jul 13 | Montreal Impact | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 0-1 L |
| Sun, Jul 15 | Chicago Fire^^^ | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 1-0 W |
| Fri, Jul 20 | Miami FC | Tropical Park Stadium, Miami, FL | 7:30 PM | 1-2 L |
| Sun, Jul 22 | Puerto Rico Islanders | Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel, Bayamon, PR | 5:00 PM | 1-3 L |
| Wed, Jul 25 | Cruz Azul (exhibition) | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 8:00 PM | 0-2 L |
| Sat, Jul 28 | Miami FC | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 1-4 L |
| Wed, Aug 1 | Montreal Impact | Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Montreal, QC | 7:30 PM | 1-4 L |
| Fri, Aug 3 | California Victory^ | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 8:00 PM | 2-0 W |
| Tue, Aug 7 | Richmond Kickers^^^ | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 1-0 W |
| Fri, Aug 10 | Rochester Raging Rhinos | PAETEC Park, Rochester, NY | 7:35 PM | 0-2 L |
| Tue, Aug 14 | Charleston Battery^^ | Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, SC | 7:30 PM | 3-0 W |
| Fri, Aug 17 | Atlanta Silverbacks^^ | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 0-0 D |
| Sun, Aug 26 | Montreal Impact | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 6:00 PM | 1-0 W |
| Sat, Sep 1 | Portland Timbers | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | 0-1 L |
| Tue, Sept 4 | New England Revolution^^^ | Veteran's Stadium, New Britain, CN | 7:30 PM | 2-1(aet) L |
| Thu, Sep 6 | Minnesota Thunder | James Griffin Stadium, St. Paul, MN | 8:05 PM | 0-5 L |
| Sat, Sep 8 | California Victory | Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, CA | 10:00 PM | 0-2 W |
| Fri, Sep 14 | TBD^^^^ | SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC | 7:30 PM | |
| Sun, Sep 16 | TBD^^^^ | TBD | TBD |
^ Televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel
^^ Southern Derby fixtures
^^^ US Open Cup fixtures
^^^^ USL-1 Playoffs fixtures
Year-By-Year
| Year | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup | Southern Derby |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | USL First Division | 8th | Qualified | Semifinals | Champion |
External links
★ Official Site
★ Team Page on USLSoccer.com
★ Triangle Soccer Fanatics, an independent supporters club of the Carolina RailHawks
★ Audio presentation of the team's name announcement
★ Photos tagged with 'railhawks' on Flickr
References
1. Local Father and Son Join RailHawks Ownership Team
2. The Hatching of the RailHawks
3. RailHawks Unveil Major Youth Soccer Partnership
4. Carolina RailHawks 1:1 Minnesota Thunder (Box Score)
5. Pirates of the Caribbean?
6. Norkus Refutes Islanders' Piracy Claims
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psst.. try this: add to faves
