RailHawks Fall at FC Edmonton
Published on May 22, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release
EDMONTON, CANADA - FC Edmonton's Daryl Fordyce finished a penalty kick in the 78th minute to help the Eddies defeat the Carolina RailHawks, 1-0, at rain-soaked Clarke Field.
The loss was Carolina's third in their last four games after starting the NASL Spring Season with four consecutive victories.
"After a great start to our season, it's obvious we have hit a tough patch," said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. "We have been a bit unlucky. It's tough to lose any game, it's even tougher to lose on the road to a penalty kick. Yet, we know what we have in our locker room and we know we can finish the season strong."
Neither team had many opportunities in the first half as both sides dealt with steady rain and wind.
Midway through the first half, RailHawks midfielder Matt Watson delivered a long distance shot that was deflected away by FC Edmonton's Albert Watson.
In the 77th minute, RailHawks defender Connor Tobin got tangled up with the Eddies' Watson just outside the six-yard box. Both players went down to the ground and the referee Francis LaTulippe pointed to the penalty spot.
Fordyce waited for RailHawks goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre to commit to his right before slotting the ball to the left and in the back of the net.
In extra time, two RailHawks substitutes nearly equalized. Aly Alberto Hassan, who had just entered the game, delivered a first-time cross in the box that found forward Jonathon Orlando. Orlando, who made his first-ever appearance for the RailHawks, just missed the cross bar with a diving header.
"We fought to the end," Clarke said. "Orlando has had a great week of practice and we felt like he could score one for us and he almost did. It was that close."
With the loss, the RailHawks, for the first time this season, fall out of first place in the NASL Spring Season.
The RailHawks return to WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, June 1, to take on the Charlotte Independence in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. A win over Charlotte would mean a June 15 home game against Major League Soccer's New England Revolution in the fourth round. Carolina will take on the Jacksonville Armada in their final home match of the NASL Spring Season on June 4. The RailHawks also have on the horizon a July 12 friendly against English Premier League outfit West Ham United, who will become the first-ever EPL team to feature in the Triangle. Individual tickets to the West Ham United match will go on sale tomorrow (Monday, May 23) at 9:00AM. For more information, visit CarolinaRailHawks.com/WestHam.
HAWK HITS
- Brian Sylvestre made his third start of the season in goal for the RailHawks.
- Billy Schuler made his second start since joining the RailHawks in the offseason.
- RailHawks right back Kareem Moses spent the past two seasons with FC Edmonton.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 22, 2016
- Cosmos Regain Top Spot with Win over Rowdies - New York Cosmos
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Fall 2-1 To New York Cosmos - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Cosmos Back on Top as Wild Spring Season Hits Home Stretch - NASL
- Eddies Continue to Climb NASL Standings with 1-0 Win over RailHawks - FC Edmonton
- RailHawks Fall at FC Edmonton - North Carolina FC
- Late Goal by Ottawa Hands Armada 1-0 Loss - Jacksonville Armada FC
- De Jong Strikes Late Scoring Ottawa the Win - Ottawa Fury FC
- Minnesota United Goalkeeper Steward Ceus Called up for Copa America Centenario - Minnesota United FC
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