NASL North Carolina FC

Match Preview: RailHawks Continue Their Road Trip in Edmonton Sunday

Published on July 29, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Match Preview: The Carolina RailHawks (2W-1D-2L; 7 pts, 6th place) travel to Alberta, Canada to take on FC Edmonton (3W-1D-1L; 10 pts; 3rd place). The two sides met in Edmonton on May 7 for the spring season fixture in a competitive match that saw Edmonton win 1-0. After a largely uneventful first half, both teams took plenty of shots in the second. The RailHawks had trouble testing Edmonton's goalie despite the opportunities. FC Edmonton scored the game-winner in the 79th minute from a Daryl Fordyce penalty kick. The Eddies are undefeated at home in the last seven league games and the RailHawks will look to reverse the trend with a win.

Players to Watch: FC Edmonton #1 - Matt Van Oekel Position: GK Age: 29 Country: USA Van Oekel is the first-choice keeper for FC Edmonton. He leads the league with six clean sheets and is second in the league in number of saves made with 44. Van Oekel has faced 53 shots on target this season and conceded only nine goals. He boasts a shot-to-save ratio of 83 percent.

Carolina RailHawks #12 - Kareem Moses Position: Defender Age: 26 Country: Trinidad and Tobago Kareem Moses returns with the RailHawks to face his old club FC Edmonton. Moses joined the RailHawks from Edmonton for the 2016 season. The outside-back has registered nearly 700 minutes in his first season at the club. Moses has made 17 interceptions, 15 clearances, won 36 duels and won 12 aerial duels. Moses has also registered two assists and created six chances.

#5 - Mickey Daly Position: Defender Age: 29 Country: USA Daly joined the RailHawks in 2016 from Bethlehem Steel. The solid center-back began his professional career in the USL in 2013 with the Wilmington Hammerheads before moving to Sacramento Republic FC for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Daly made his first appearance for Carolina coming off the bench against Miami FC during the July 22 match. Daly earned his first start for the team against the Ottawa Fury FC this past Wednesday.

Last Time Out: The RailHawks' first stop on their series of away games was in Ontario, Canada against the Ottawa Fury FC on Wednesday, July 27. Despite missing five key starters, the RailHawks had a positive start to the game. Carolina created chances early, Marvin Ceballos, Austin da Luz, Matt Fondy and Tiyi Shipalane all had shots in the opening minutes. Ottawa capitalized in the 8^th minute on a turnover after some miscommunication from the RailHawks' defense. The Fury scored again early in the second half, forcing an own goal from a free kick deep in Carolina's territory. Despite a resilient effort from the RailHawks' offense, Carolina was unable to find the back of the net.

RailHawks Acquire Three Players James Moberg Carolina added depth to their midfield with the acquisition of James Moberg from United Soccer Leagues (USL) side Real Monarchs. Moberg, a Windsor, Ca. native, played collegiately for the University of Washington from 2012-2015 where he scored 10 goals and tallied 21 assists in 69 matches. He was selected in the third round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC, but later signed with Real Monarchs, an affiliate of MLS' Real Salt Lake. The 22-year-old will be available for selection for both games in Canada this week.

Jose Morales Jr. Carolina also added 17-year-old Jose Morales to the roster this week. Morales is a member of the U15/U16 Capital Area RailHawks Academy team, appearing in 36 matches and tallying 11 goals as a midfielder. He was one of the RailHawks Academy and NPSL players to play against West Ham United on July 12, 2016 with the senior team, clocking 27 minutes. The Capital Area RailHawks Academy is a collaboration between the Capital Area Soccer League and the RailHawks for U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams in the U13/14, U15/16 and U17/18 age groups and is designed to attract the highest caliber players and coaches. Academy players are eligible to train and play with professional soccer players prior to their enrollment in college and keep their NCAA eligibility. Morales will be available for selection for both games in Canada this week.

Mickey Daly The Carolina RailHawks bolstered their defense with the acquisition of Mickey Daly on loan from United Soccer Leagues (USL) side Bethlehem Steel FC. The loan is for one month. A native of Sonoma, Ca., Daly began his professional career in North Carolina with the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL in 2013. The California State University, Los Angeles product moved to Sacramento Republic FC for the 2014 and 2015 seasons where he appeared in 57 games recording 6 goals. He was signed by Bethlehem Steel in 2016, appearing in 9 matches and tallying one goal.

Shipalane Named To NASL Team of the Week for Week 4 Tiyi Shipalane was named to the NASL Team of the Week for Week 4 of the 2016 Fall Season. Shipalane was recognized for his excellent performance in the 3-3 draw against Miami FC, where he provided two assists in the game. His first assist to Brian Shriver in the 61st minute was nominated for the NASL Play of the Week for Week 4 thanks to Shipalane's precision and Shriver's finesse. Shipalane set up Omar Bravo for an excellent first-time finish in the 78th minute, helping the forward score in his debut. Shipalane has been a member of the RailHawks for six seasons, playing in 121 games. He currently has two goals and two assists this season and is ranked 6^th in the league in total crosses.

Coming Up Next: Carolina travels to Jacksonville to battle the Armada on Saturday, August 6 at 7:30 p.m. In the Spring Season, both teams were scoreless on June 4 in Cary, N.C., each gaining a point for a 0-0 tie.

The team returns home on Saturday, August 13 to face the newest NASL team, Puerto Rico FC at 7:30 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets to the match can be purchased by calling the box office at 919-459-8144 or online here ary-wakemed-soccer-park-carolina-railhawks) .

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 29, 2016


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