NASL North Carolina FC

Omar Bravo and the RailHawks Take on Gerardo Torrado and Indy Eleven

Published on August 19, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Match Preview The Carolina RailHawks (6W-5D-7L; 23 pts; 7th place) take on NASL Spring Season Champions Indy Eleven (10W-7D-2L; 37 pts; 1st place) on Saturday, August 20 at WakeMed Soccer Park. The previous matchup played at Carroll Stadium saw the host team earn a 4-1 victory. Eamon Zayed scored early for the Eleven, but Nazmi Albadawi leveled for the RailHawks 29th minute. A late goal from Justin Braun in added time of the first half gave Indy the lead at the break. The hosts put on a strong second-half performance. Zayed earned himself a hat trick while the RailHawks were unable to salvage a point on the road.

Players to Watch Carolina RailHawks #99 - Omar Bravo Position: Forward Age: 36 Country: Mexico Omar Bravo has made an immediate impact since joining the RailHawks. Bravo has scored three goals in four appearances this term and created six chances. Bravo boasts the record for Chivas Guadalajara's all-time leading scorer, netting 132 times in 382 appearances. Bravo scored for the Mexican national team 15 times in 65 appearances.

Indy Eleven #3 - Gerardo Torrado Position: Midfield Age: 37 Country: Mexico The former Cruz Azul defensive midfielder joined the Indy Eleven in June of 2016. Torrado made 325 appearances with Cruz Azul, winning the 2013 Copa MX and 2013-2014 CONCACAF Champions League. Internationally, Torrado is tied for most appearances with the Mexican national team with 146 caps. During his tenure with the national squad, he won the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2003, 2009 and 2001 CONCACAF Gold Cups and was named to the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI.

Last Time Out The RailHawks last fixture was at home against NASL newcomers, Puerto Rico FC. The RailHawks opened scoring in the 40th minute. Tiyi Shipalane found Omar Bravo open in the box; the forward settled with a quick touch before slotting the ball past the keeper. Puerto Rico responded with two uncontested goals in the 52nd and 67th minutes. Carolina kept looking for an equalizer that eventually came in the 89th minute. Matt Watson collected the ball out wide and sent in a cross; Matt Fondy burst past a defender and connected with a powerful header, sending the ball straight into the corner of the net. The match ended in a 2-2 draw after an eventful 90 minutes.

Coming Up Next The RailHawks will travel to James M. Shuart Stadium on August 27 to face the New York Cosmos (11W-2D-6L; 35 pts; 3rd place). The previous fixture between the two sides ended in a 1-0 victory for the Cosmos. The game will be broadcast on WRAL2, TWC SportsChannel and ONE World Sports. Radio coverage is available at 1550am The Ticket. Kickoff is 7:00 p.m. ET.

NC Hall of Fame Night The Carolina RailHawks are honored to spotlight the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame and its inductees on August 20th during NC Soccer Hall of Fame Night. The event will take place at halftime of the match against the Indy Eleven at WakeMed Soccer Park. The RailHawks and North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame began a multi-year partnership at the beginning of the 2016 season. The North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame is an organization devoted to promoting and supporting the game of soccer in North Carolina and honoring those who have made a lasting impact on the sport.

Matt Watson Named to NASL Team of the Week Matt Watson has been named to the NASL Team of the Week for Week 7 for his phenomenal performance on Saturday, August 13 against Puerto Rico FC. This was his first full match since an injury kept him out of two games in July. Watson was the catalyst of the equalizing goal last Saturday, as the RailHawks found themselves trailing the NASL expansion team 2-1 in the 89th minute. The center midfielder played a ball from distance directly to Matt Fondy's head, who flicked the ball into the corner of the net to set the final score of 2-2. Watson led both teams in touches with 89 and had a passing accuracy of 80 percent.

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North American Soccer League Stories from August 19, 2016


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