Miami FC Takes On The Carolina RailHawks
May 7, 2010 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, May 7, 2010 - Miami FC completes its season-opening home stand this weekend against the visiting Carolina Railhawks on May 8. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Lockhart Stadium.
It will be the first meeting between the two teams this season as the Blues (0-0-3), who have yet to lose a game, seek to earn their first win of the season against the Railhawks (1-1-1), who currently stand in second place in the NASL Conference.
" We are pleased with our progress, but it is important for us to win. Only one outcome will satisfy us " said Head Coach Victor Pastora.
This game serves as the last of a four game home stand to start out the regular season. So far, the Blues have earned three consecutive draws to start out the season.
The Blues will follow this game with a brief road stint against NSC Minnesota on May 15, their first road match of the season.
SCOUTING CAROLINA
The Railhawks are coming off a 1-1 draw against Rochester Rhinos on May 1 in the first game of a short, two-game road trip that concludes this weekend against the Blues.
Carolina fell behind in the first half after Rhinos defender Troy Roberts scored in the ninth minute to give Rochester the lead.
In the second half, Carolina tied the game in the 54th minute when Etienne Barbara tied the score on a penalty kick after a counter attack early in the half to finish the scoring for the match.
Barbara is the leading scorer for the Railhawks with three goals and is the only player on the team who has scored a goal for the team so far this season. He also ranks second in the league in total points (6).
The Railhawks also boast a strong defense, only allowing two goals through three games. The team opened the season with a 2-0 shutout over AC St. Louis and then fell 1-0 to NSC Minnesota.
LAST TIME OUT
Miami FC earned a 1-1 draw in the first ever Coastal Cup matchup against the visiting FC Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The Blues took the lead late in the first half on a goal by Christian Gomez in the 39th minute after finding open space on the left side and rifling a shot past the Rowdies goalkeeper.
Playing a man down for most of the second half, Miami FC continued to apply pressure on the Rowdies backline. FC Tampa Bay broke through in the 81st minute when Julian Valentin headed the ball into the back of the net on a corner kick by Chad Burt.
Miami FC goalkeeper Caleb Patterson made several diving stops in the final minutes to preserve the stalemate and keep the team undefeated.
RAILHAWK EDGE
Miami FC trails in the overall series with a 3-5-0 record against the Railhawks since the teams first met in 2007.
The last time the Blues defeated the Railhawks was on June 14, 2008 at home in a 2-0 victory at Tropical Park.
PAULO JR. MAKING STRIDES
Miami FC forward Paulo Araujo Jr. has begun to make an impression in the league and now ranks eighth in points (3).
Paulo Jr. scored the first goal of the season for the Blues in the season opener at Lockhart Stadium against the Rochester Rhinos.
For real time updates don't forget to follow Miami FC on twitter at www.twitter.com/miamifc.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 7, 2010
- The Impact Faces The Minnesota Stars Saturday At Saputo Stadium - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks Travel To Miami This Saturday - North Carolina FC
- Miami FC Takes On The Carolina RailHawks - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps Prepare For Baltimore Visit - Vancouver Whitecaps
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