News

After an exciting 2012 season, the RailHawks look to grow off the field.

The RailHawks are accepting resumes for two new positions to the organization; a Manager of Fan Development and Grassroots Fan Development & Hispanic Outreach Manager.

Along with the RailHawks, the NASL and its teams are continually growing in the offseason.

First of all, NASL announced a team in Northern Virginia as their 11^th franchise at the beginning of the week. The Virginia team will join the league in 2014 at the future One Loudoun Ballpark.

The organization is holding a “Name the Team” Contest for fans to give their input.

More news also came out of Minnesota as the Stars announced Dr. William McGuire, a Minnesota businessman and philanthropist, as their new owner.

The announcement was made during a press conference in which NASL Commissioner David Downs personally announced Dr. McGuire after two years of looking for an owner for the Stars.

Meanwhile in New York, the Cosmos announced a key addition to their front office as they named Erik Stover their Chief Operating Officer.

Stover comes to the Cosmos after being the Managing Director of Red Bull New York, where he was named the 2010 MLS Executive of the Year.

The RailHawks are also looking to build on the field, as they are holding Open Tryouts on December 8^th and 9^th to look for talented players for the 2013 season. Interested players can register for the tryout to have the chance to impress RailHawks coaches and management.

College soccer also continues to take place at WakeMed Soccer Park, as the Southern Conference men’s tournament is taking place over the weekend. Come out to the Championship Match on Saturday as RailHawks U-23 player Gabe Latigue and Elon will take on Wofford to play for the SoCon title at 7p.m.    

In MLS news, the Playoffs are down to the Conference Championships after an exciting night of semifinals.

Former RailHawks’ midfielder Johnny Steele made an appearance for Real Salt Lake, but they fell to the Seattle Sounders 1-0 behind a wonder goal from Mario Martinez. Watch the game winner here.

On the other side of the board, former RailHawk Daniel Woolard and D.C. United advanced to the Eastern Conference Championships and will travel to Houston on Sunday for the first leg of the series at 4p.m. on NBCSN.

The Galaxy will then host the Sounders at 9p.m. on ESPN for the first leg of the Western Conference Championships.

As for the U.S. Men’s National Team, the Hexagonal draw was announced on Wednesday, scheduling all matches between the six remaining teams. The U.S. will have its first match on February 6, 2013 in Honduras.

The top three teams in the competition will automatically advance to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, while the fourth-place team will compete in a two-game playoff against the winner of the Oceania region.

And you might have seen him before, but the trick shot goalkeeper is back. Lassi Hurskainen, who played at UNC-Ashville, is a YouTube sensation thanks to his crazy trick shots.