Season Outlook | Carolina RailHawks
Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park
Coach: Colin Clarke (fourth year)
2014 Finish: 5th place – Combined Standings
Key Players: D Mamadou “Futty” Danso, M Nazmi Albadawi
In 2014, the Carolina RailHawks trended towards the higher side of goals conceded. The club has added several defensive reinforcements, but the aptly named Futty Danso could be the most intriguing. The Gambian defender is set for a reunion of sorts, having played for the Cary RailHawks Under-23s in 2008. After spending time in MLS with the Portland Timbers and Montreal Impact, Danso adds vital experience at the club and international level to Carolina. The 31-year-old will look to make more of an impact than he did north of the border in Montreal and shore up a backline for a side that is always seemingly is in the hunt for a title but has yet to claim to one.
After a strong debut season, Nazmi Albadawi is poised for a breakout season in 2015. The 23-year-old midfielder scored four goals last campaign but adding a few more to his name certainly isn’t out of the question. Often finding himself in dangerous areas, Albadawi should notch plenty of goals and assists and could very well blossom into a Best XI-caliber player over the course of his second professional season.
What They’re Saying: “We’ll be ready and we're looking forward to it. We have full belief in the squad. Our boys are ready, they’re anxious to start. We’ve had dinners and lunches with the supporters, and everybody’s looking forward to the start of the season.” – Colin Clarke
“We want to win the NASL Championship. That’s our main goal as a team and individually. I’ll try to bring as much experience and help as much as I can. Not just as a player but anyway they need me to, I will. Those are little things I can bring to the team and try to help win a championship.” – Futty Danso
Season Outlook: The RailHawks continually get close but have yet to lift the Soccer Bowl trophy. However, could 2015 be their year? The club has taken the approach of adding NASL veterans, such as Mark Anderson, Neil Hlavaty, and Simone Braccalello, who have all won or competed in a final before. Also a full season with Nacho Novo up front will only bolster the club’s ability in the final third. As one of the toughest teams to play in their home ground, the RailHawks should be again in 2015. That should add up to them being in the mix for The Championship, as they so often are. Carolina will want to avoid another season where they are wondering “what if” after falling just short of the club’s goals.
