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USL-1 North Carolina FC

RailHawks host Puerto Rico in 2nd place Showdown this Saturday

September 11, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
North Carolina FC News Release


After Puerto Rico's stunning 5-2 loss at Minnesota on Thursday, Saturday's match at WakeMed Soccer Park has even more importance for the Carolina RailHawks and the visiting Islanders when they square off at 7 p.m.

A three-point victory for either team would propel the winner into second-place all alone, with just one game remaining. The RailHawks (14-7-7, 49 points in 28 games) head into the weekend in third place, while the Islanders (14-6-8, 50 point in 28 games) are in second place. Both teams have clinched berths in the USL-1 playoffs, though their position remains up in the air.

"The phase we're at in our season, it's about our performances and building confidence," Rennie said. "We have done a lot of the hard work and getting ourselves up high in the table and obviously a win allows us to play our last game knowing exactly where we stand. We just want to focus on playing our best, so it's just important that we perform and play well. I would like to win, but most importantly, we have to perform well."

Playoffs are set to begin the week of September 21st with the second place finisher matching up to the seventh, the third to the sixth and so forth. The following week the teams will be re-seeded with the winner of the Commissioner's Cup entering the playoffs in the semifinal round.

Saturday's game is Food Lion Night and fans who hold an MVP card may show it at the box office for a $5 discount on the price of admission. In addition, the RailHawks are looking to make a difference by supporting the Magnificent Mile event. The team will donate $2 from every adult ticket sold that is referenced by saying Magnificent Mile at the ticket office or by entering magmile as a promotional code for online purchases. Several RailHawks will be at the Magnificent Mile event in Raleigh on Sunday, September 13th to benefit the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation. Swoops will also be in attendance to cheer on the participants and support this great cause.

Following the Carolina RailHawks' 9-0 win over Miami on Aug. 26, coach Martin Rennie wondered if there might be a letdown in training in the days to follow.

There was no discernable drop-off - in training or in matches - yet the results in the proceeding games have not been favorable. The RailHawks are winless over the last three games (0-2-1) and they've scored one goal in the last 270 minutes.

The Islanders are the only team in the USL-1 the RailHawks have never defeated, and they are the only team this season the RailHawks have yet to earn a point against. Puerto Rico comes to WakeMed Soccer Park after dropping a game in Minnesota 5-2. They had won the previous five games in a row, including a 2-0 win over the RailHawks in Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

But Rennie and his charges aren't looking at the run of results as a barometer of where they are at.

One thing that might help the RailHawks' fortunes turnaround is their return to WakeMed Soccer Park. Their last three matches have all been away, not to mention at stadia where points are hard to come by (Montreal, Puerto Rico). At home this season, the RailHawks are 9-2-2 in USL-1 play and they've outscored their opponents 28-7. Since Puerto Rico defeated Carolina in Cary on June 27, the RailHawks are 5-0-1 with a plus-19 goal differential.

Even though the RailHawks are winless over their last three, Rennie's been pleased with the team's overall performance recently. The preferred result is attainable with slight improvements and catching a break or two.

"I would say the performances have been OK," Rennie said. "In the final third, we haven't been as dangerous as I would like. That would be the one of our performances that hasn't been quite so good. I think, defensively, it's going pretty good but it can improve."

SCOUTING PUERTO RICO

The Islanders' 40 goals scored are tied for third most in the USL-1, while their 236 shots are second fewest. But that translates into the best strike rate in the league. Puerto Rico scores a goal every 5.90 shots.

The Islanders proved to be among the best home teams in the USL First Division this season. In their 15 dates at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, the Islanders went 11-1-3, taking a 36 of a possible 45 points in the table from those matches. Their home goal differential was plus-18, among the best in the league.

That success in the island has not translated when Puerto Rico leaves it.

On the road, they are 3-5-5, with a goal differential of minus-4. Prior to this week, the Islanders haven't played a USL-1 match outside of Puerto Rico since a six-match road trip in July. During that swing, they went 1-1-4, scoring three goals and playing in four scoreless ties.

In addition to their road troubles, the Islanders are also in the midst of a jam-packed portion of their schedule. Saturday's match will be their fourth in six days, and it will be the fourth in a series of 10 matches in 23 days.

The Islanders' 40 goals are second most in the USL-1, and they feature several threatening attackers. Defender Cristian Arietta's 24 points (10 goals, four assists) are tied for second most in the league, while backline partner John Krause has scored five goals. Forward Nicholas Addlery has six goals to his credit, and midfielder Jonny Steele has three goals and three assists. Forward Sean Fraser has three goals and an assist, and midfielder Josh Hansen has scored four goals.

Goalkeeper Bill Gaudette leads the league in saves (115), is tied for the league lead in wins (14) and shutouts (12), and his 0.730 goal against averages rates fifth. He also leads the team in minutes played (2,340).

SERIES HISTORY

The Islanders are the only team in the USL First Division the RailHawks have never defeated. Carolina is 0-6-1 in seven all-time meetings with Puerto Rico, and the Islanders have outscored the RailHawks 13-2 in the series.

Saturday's match will mark the third and final meeting between Carolina and Puerto Rico this season. Puerto Rico won the first two, claiming a 2-1 victory on June 27 at WakeMed Soccer Park and a 2-0 victory in Puerto Rico earlier this week.

In three matches at WakeMed Soccer Park, the RailHawks are 0-3-1 against the Islanders. The teams played to a scoreless draw in May 2007. In July 2008, the Islanders handed Carolina a 2-0 defeat, and three weeks later, they returned to Cary and left with a 1-0 victory.

Since that scoreless tie in May 2007, the RailHawks have suffered six consecutive losses to Puerto Rico.

LAST TIME OUT

The RailHawks suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Islanders on Tuesday in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The match was even for the first 70 minutes, but Puerto Rico seized control in the 74th minute when Cristian Arrieta converted a penalty kick. Six minutes later, defender John Krause headed in a Jonny Steele corner kick to put the game away. The match was short on offense (12 shots total) and intensely physical (20 fouls, six cards issued).

PLAYER NOTES

*Midfielder Brian Plotkin returned to the RailHawks' lineup Tuesday in Puerto Rico, his first appearance since July 18. He entered the match as a 78th minute substitute.

*Forward Gavin Glinton returned to the starting lineup Tuesday in Puerto Rico, his first start since June 27 and his first appearance since July 18.

*Defender/midfielder Kupono Low will be unavailable for selection Saturday, as he will serve a one-match suspension after receiving a red card on Tuesday.

*Midfielder John Cunliffe will be unavailable for selection Saturday, as he will serve a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation.

*Goalkeeper Caleb Patterson had five saves Tuesday against Puerto Rico, upping his season total to 61.

DID YOU KNOW?

Puerto Rico is one of only two teams to defeat the RailHawks at WakeMed Soccer Park this season (Charleston is the other). The only other teams to have taken points away from Cary are Portland (0-0 tie, June 11) and Vancouver (1-1 tie, Aug. 18).

STAT LEADERS*

Goals: Sallieu Bundu (7)

Assists: Daniel Paladini (5)

Minutes: Mark Schulte (2,801)

Shots: Daniel Paladini (59)

Fouls: Amir Lowery (42)

*includes USL-1 matches, U.S. Open Cup matches and five friendlies in 2009

CAROLINA VS USL-1*

The following are the RailHawks' team statistics for the year and in parentheses is where they rank in each category compared to the rest of the USL First Division.

Shots: 307 (4th)

Shots allowed: 287 (5th)

Goals scored: 39 (3rd)

Goals allowed: 16 (Tied for 9th)

Saves: 94 (9th)

Shutouts: 16 (1st)

Times shut out: 7 (T-10th)

*based only on USL-1 matches

2008 VS 2009 SEASON COMPARISON

Through 28 games in 2008:

7-11-10, 31 points, 30 GF, 40 GA, 5 SO

Through 27 games in 2009:

14-7-7, 49 points, 39 GF, 16 GA, 16 SO

USL-1 HONORS

Team of the Week

Week 2: Jack Stewart, Josh Gardner

Week 3: John Gilkerson, Brian Plotkin

Week 4: John Gilkerson

Week 6: Devon McKenney, Luke Kreamalmeyer

Week 7: Daniel Paladini, Kupono Low, Andriy Budnyy

Week 8: Kupono Low, Daniel Paladini

Week 11: Matt Watson

Week 14: Caleb Norkus, Sallieu Bundu

Week 15: Gregory Richardson

Week 16: Gregory Richardson

Week 17: Joseph Kabwe, Kupono Low, Gregory Richardson

Week 18: Caleb Patterson

Week 19: Caleb Patterson, Jeremy Tolleson

Week 20: Jeremy Tolleson

Week 21, John Cunliffe, Joseph Kabwe

Player of the Week

Week 1: Mark Schulte

Week 16: Gregory Richardson

Week 17: Joseph Kabwe

USL-1 SCHEDULE - WEEK 23

Monday, Sept. 7

Portland 1, Austin 0

Tuesday, Sept. 8

Rochester 2, Miami 1

Carolina 0, Puerto Rico 2

Wednesday, Sept. 9

Vancouver 0, Montreal 1

Thursday, Sept. 10

Puerto Rico 2, Minnesota 5

Friday, Sept. 11

Miami at Charleston, 8 p.m.

Austin at Portland, 10 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 12

Puerto Rico at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 13

Miami at Rochester, 3 p.m.

Minnesota at Montreal, 3:45 p.m.

Austin at Vancouver, 7 p.m.

Cleveland at Portland, 8 p.m.

USL-1 STANDINGS

Portland 15-2-10, 55 points

Puerto Rico 14-6-8, 50 points

Carolina 14-7-7, 49 points

Charleston 12-5-10, 46 points

Montreal 12-10-6, 42 points

Rochester 11-9-8, 41 points

Vancouver 9-10-9, 36 points

Minnesota 7-12-9, 30 points

Miami 8-15-4, 28 points

Austin (-2) 4-16-8, 18 points

Cleveland 3-17-7, 16 points

NEXT UP

The RailHawks will play the Montreal Impact on Sept. 18 in their final regular-season match at WakeMed Soccer Park. The RailHawks and Impact tied the season's first meeting 1-1 on Aug. 30 at Saputo Stadium. Three days later, the Impact snapped the RailHawks' nine-match unbeaten streak by handing them a 1-0 loss.

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics



USL First Division Stories from September 11, 2009


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