NASL North Carolina FC

Four RailHawks Named to NASL Best XI

Published on September 28, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, N.C. - Four members of the Regular Season Champion Carolina RailHawks - forward Etienne Barbara, midfielder Matt Watson, defender Kupono Low and goalkeeper Brad Knighton - were named to the NASL Best XI on Wednesday.

"To get four players on first team is a great honor for the club," said RailHawks coach Martin Rennie. "There's been a great effort all season long from the entire squad and a number of players could be on that list. Everyone in the club is pleased for those four. Those honors are very deserved."

Prior to this season, only one player in club history had been selected to the Best XI. Daniel Paladini earned the honor in 2009 and 2010 before joining Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire prior to the 2011 season.

Barbara led the NASL in scoring with 20 goals and eight assists, both single-season club records. He appeared in 27 matches and logged 2,218 minutes, third most on the team.

Low appeared in 26 matches and led all RailHawks field players in minutes played (2,300) this season. The RailHawks' captain anchored the backline and led the NASL's best defense to a league-low 26 goals allowed. In 2007, his first season with the RailHawks, Low was named Second Team All-League in the USL First Division.

Watson appeared in 24 matches and played 2,031 minutes and had three goals and two assists this season. In 2008, his first season with the RailHawks, Watson was named Second Team All-League in USL-1.

Knighton played every minute of the regular season (2,480) and had a 0.93 goals against average, 113 saves and eight shutouts. His 17 wins and 113 saves are both single-season RailHawks records.

The Best XI was selected based on voting by each team's technical staffs.

The Regular Season Champion RailHawks (17-3-8) begin the NASL Playoffs on Oct. 8, with the first leg of the semifinals. They'll play the return leg on Oct. 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m. As the No. 1 seed, the RailHawks will draw the lowest remaining seed after this weekend's quarterfinal match-ups.

2011 NASL Best XI

Forwards: Etienne Barbara (Carolina RailHawks), Mike Ambersley (FC Tampa Bay)

Midfielders: David Foley (Puerto Rico Islanders), Shaun Saiko (FC Edmonton), Matt Watson (Carolina RailHawks), Pascal Millien (FC Tampa Bay)

Defenders: Hassoum Camara (Montreal Impact), Kupono Low (Carolina RailHawks, Lance Laing (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers), Toni Stahl (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers)

Goalkeeper: Brad Knighton (Carolina RailHawks)

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North American Soccer League Stories from September 28, 2011


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