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NASL North Carolina FC

Match Preview: Carolina Hosts Minnesota United in the Final Home Game of the 2016 Season

October 21, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Carolina Hosts Minnesota United FC in the Final Game of the 2016 Season For Fan Appreciation Night

MATCHDAY INFO: CAROLINA RAILHAWKS VS. MINNESOTA UNITED FC KICKOFF: OCTOBER 22, 2016- 7:30 PM ET FAN APPRECIATION & DIVERSITY NIGHT PRESENTING SPONSORS: DOGTOPIA AND IPREO

BROADCAST INFO: TV: WRAL2, TWC SPORTSCHANNEL, ESPN3 RADIO: 1550 AM THE TICKET LIVE UPDATES: @RAILHAWKSFC #CARvMNU

Match Preview: The Carolina RailHawks (10W-7D-13L; 37 pts; 9th place) will be hosting Minnesota United FC (11W-8D-11L; 41 pts; 4th place) Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7:30 p.m. ET. This will be the third and final match between the two clubs, as they have split the series thus far. The two clubs most recently matched up on July 2, with a 5-1 RailHawks loss at NSC Stadium. Before that, the RailHawks picked up a 2-1 win over the Loons on April 2 with a win at home. Tiyi Shipalane and Austin da Luz provided goals in the win at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Last Time Out: Carolina is coming off a tough 3-0 loss to the Indy Eleven at Carroll Stadium, as the Spring Season champions remain undefeated at home this year. Prior to the Oct. 15 loss to Indy Eleven, RailHawks goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre had only allowed six goals in nine games. The 23-year-old keeper has been nominated for NASL Young Player of the Year.

Fan Appreciation and Diversity Night: The RailHawks will be thanking their loyal fans for their support this year with a complimentary team poster, a Zaxby's tailgate, a food truck rodeo, a live DJ in the Far Post Beer Garden and fireworks after the game. The RailHawks will also be presenting Equality NC with a check from the club's auction of 10 West Ham United jerseys. The club will also be collecting food and supply donations for Hurricane Matthew relief.

Players to Watch: #10 Nazmi Albadawi The RailHawks captain Nazmi Albadawi has been the team's most consistent player this year, with three goals and 10 assists, breaking a modern era NASL record of the most assists in a single season. In 27 games played, he has also created 47 chances and won 112 duels. The versatile midfielder has been nominated as a contender for the league's most valuable player and fans can vote for Albadawi to win the NASL Golden Ball award here. (http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/10/18/vote--2016-nasl-golden-ball)

#21 Christian Ramirez Ramirez is one of two players on Minnesota United FC that is nominated for the NASL Golden Ball award. The forward leads the NASL with 18 goals and 4 assists in 29 games played this year. Ramirez has also created 32 chances in 2,517 minutes played. The California native has picked up a series of accolades this season, earning a spot on the NASL's Player of the Month, Player of the Week and Team of the Week lists at various points throughout the year.

Coming up Next: The RaiHawks will play their last regular season match on Oct. 29 at Loubriel Stadium against Puerto Rico FC (4W-9D-7L; 21 pts; 12th place) at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS, TWC SPORTSCHANNEL and WRAL2.

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 21, 2016


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