NASL North Carolina FC

Match Preview: RailHawks Prepare to Take on 10-Time Mexican Champion Toluca F.C

Published on March 25, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, NC - The Carolina RailHawks will return to WakeMed Soccer Park this Saturday, March 26th at 12:00 p.m. for the 8th Annual Hilton Garden Inn Durham Southpoint Community Shield Match against Mexican squad Deportivo Toluca F.C. in a marquee international match. This world-class match will also be the first time the RailHawks appear on network TV, with the game set to show on FOX50.

The RailHawks are looking to carry their strong preseason momentum into Saturday's match. The RailHawks have won an impressive four games this preseason, downing UNC-Wilmington 4-0, NC State University 3-0, Charlotte Independence 1-0, and Richmond Kickers 2-1. The squad's lone loss came in a 0-1 match against Richmond Kickers, who the RailHawks avenged in the teams' rematch on March 16th.

The RailHawks are no strangers to competition from Mexico's top teams. The club has participated in numerous topnotch international matches against Mexican teams in the past, including home matches against Pumas UNAM in 2013 and Puebla FC in 2014. The RailHawks will continue their strong relationship with Mexican squads in Saturday's match versus Toluca.

Toluca FC has established itself as one of the most successful Mexican clubs in Mexico's top league, Liga MX. The 10-time champions have won two CONCACAF Champions Cups and finished second in the league last season and currently holds a Liga MX record of 2-5-4. They earned a record of 2-1-0 in its group stage of the 2016 Copa Libertadores tournament, earning the squad the top spot in the group. The "Red Devils" return to the Copa Libertadores pitch on Tuesday, April 5th against LDU Quito.

Toluca F.C. squad vs. Carolina RailHawks

NUMBER NAME POSITION COUNTRY

3 Aaron Galindo D Mexico

5 Christian Pérez D Mexico

6 Oscar Rojas D Mexico

7 Moises Velasco M Mexico

8 Roberto Saucedo F Mexico

10 Lucas Lobos M Mexico

11 Carlos Esquivel F Mexico

12 Miguel A. Centeno GK Mexico

15 Antonio Ríos M Mexico

16 Carlos Rodríguez D Mexico

19 Edy Bambrila M Mexico

21 Enrique Triverio F Argentina

22 Liborio Sánchez GK Mexico

23 Omar Arellano F Mexico

25 Alejandro Navarro D Mexico

26 Erbin Trejo M Mexico

28 Marco Jaime D United States

33 Gerardo Flores M Mexico

291 Alexis Márquez F Mexico

298 Diego Aguilar M Mexico

The RailHawks-Toluca preseason match is fans' best opportunity to see top-tier international soccer live, and the last opportunity to check out the RailHawks during the preseason. Come help the RailHawks prepare to surge into the 2016 NASL season and kickoff the franchise's 10th anniversary celebrations before the first home regular-season match on Saturday, April 2nd against Minnesota United FC.

RailHawks Notes:

Coach's Quote

"We are very excited to return to WakeMed Soccer Park. We are also looking forward to competing for the championship this year. This game will help us find out where we stand," said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. "Toluca is a phenomenal team and we're just as talented. We have trained consistently for several weeks now and we will give our best to reward our fans with a good result and an even better soccer match."

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