Carolina RailHawks Beat Puebla, Lose to FC Dallas
It was the best of times…it was the worst of times.
It has been a busy week for the Carolina RailHawks of North American Soccer League. On Sunday they faced Puebla FC, former champions of the Mexican League in a friendly. Then yesterday they faced the MLS unit FC Dallas in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open quarterfinals.
The RailHawks play in the NASL, which is a second tier here in the United States, but includes the New York Cosmos among its members.
The Lamar Hunt US Open is a tournament held in the summer by the United States Soccer Federation and open to all of its members, which includes everyone from amateur club teams to the professional clubs of Major League Soccer.
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The Good: Carolina RailHawks beat Puebla, 2-1
That is another head that can be added to the mantle for the RailHawks. 18 year old Connor Donovan took advantage of a start in the defense to move forward and score the first goal of the match in the 38th minute. Donovan has appeared on the US Under-20 National Team roster before. Coach Colin Clarke was very complimentary of Donovan in postgame interviews.
The RailHawks secured a second goal in the 66th minute from Tiyi Shipalane, and then simply tried to hold down the fort the rest of the way. Puebla scored a late goal in the 88th minute to make it interesting the rest of the way, but it was too late.
Jul 9, 2014; Cary, NC, USA; Carolina Railhawks forward Zack Schilawski (left) heads the ball on a corner kick during the first half of the game against FC Dallas at WakeMed Soccer Park. FC Dallas won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
The Not-So-Good: FC Dallas beats Carolina RailHawks 5-2
Fresh off of wins against the LA Galaxy and FC Puebla, the RailHawks came into yesterday’s match hoping to advance once more to the semifinals in the Lamar Hunt US Open than they ever had before. Then FC Dallas of the MLS happened.
The RailHawks made a game of it early, striking in the 9th minute behind Zack Schilawski. That started a flurry of activity before the end of the first half and saw the score 3-2 Dallas when the halftime break occurred.
The RailHawks gamely played the second half and the score refused to change. Toward the end of the game, the RailHawks started sending more men forward in an attempt to find an equalizer. Unfortunately this thinned out their defense and Dallas added two late goals to clinch the first home defeat for the RailHawks in two years. The RailHawks now return to their NASL schedule where they are currently fourth in the standings.
Jun 24, 2014; Cary, NC, USA; Carolina Railhawks goalkeeper Scott Goodwin (12) punches the ball away from Los Angeles Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes (11) during the US Open Cup fifth round at WakeMed Soccer Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Honored: Scott Goodwin
The rookie backup goalie and UNC product was named ‘Man of the Round’ for his performance against an LA Galaxy Squad that included Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane