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Two teams fighting for a spot in the playoffs, the Carolina RailHawks and FC Edmonton, face off at WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday night. Contrasting styles take center stage in the match as the free-flowing RailHawks’ attack face one of the toughest defenses in the league in FC Edmonton.

Carolina comes into this match on a disappointing string of results. The team looked to rebound from a humiliating 8-0 defeat in San Antonio with a win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, but was forced to settle for a draw at home after conceding two goals in the closing minutes of the match. Last weekend the RailHawks traveled to Fort Lauderdale to take on the Strikers, but left South Florida empty handed yet again after falling 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Andy Herron.

Edmonton enters this contest on the back of a three-match unbeaten streak. The Eddies took a point from the visiting Minnesota Stars FC and another from the league leaders San Antonio, before closing out the homestand with a 1-0 victory against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Shaun Saiko scored the game’s only goal to secure Edmonton’s first win at home since July 10 against the Strikers.

The teams met at WakeMed on June 23, with the hosts capturing all three points. Nick Zimmerman and Breiner Ortiz scored the goals for Carolina while Ray Burse picked up his second successive shutout. Earlier in the season the RailHawks were beaten 3-0 in Edmonton after a masterclass performance from hat-trick hero Shaun Saiko.

The two sides could very well be in direct competition for the sixth and final playoff berth come the end of the season. Three points would go a long way for either side in the quest for postseason action.

Carolina RailHawks vs. FC Edmonton

Saturday, August 18, 2012— 7:00 P.M. EDT

WakeMed Soccer Park

Cary, NC

Webcast: NASL on ustream

2012 Series:  Tied, 1-0-1, 3 points

2011 Series:  Carolina, 3-1-0, 10 points

                                              Carolina                               Edmonton          

Head Coach                        Colin Clarke                        Harry Sinkgraven

2012 Records                    6^th: 6-7-7, 25 points           7^th: 5-6-10, 21 points

Last Five Games               T W L T  L                              W L T T  W

Goals Leader                     Nick Zimmerman (11)         Shaun Saiko (6)

Assists Leader                 Mike Palacio (4)                     Shaun Saiko (5)

Carolina

• 5-5-1 at home
• Undefeated In last nine matches at WakeMed
• Have played a game less than every other team (and two games fewer than Fort Lauderdale)
• Suspended: None
• At risk: Gale Agbossoumonde (four yellows)

Edmonton

• 2-2-7 on the road
• Unbeaten in last three matches
• Bryan Arguez was named NASL Defensive Player of the Week
• Suspended: None
• At risk: Antonio Rago (four yellows)