PREVIEW | RailHawks vs. Strikers

The Carolina RailHawks will take on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, July 8, at 7:30 pm ET, and will air on ONE World Sports.

“We’re off to a great start and now we have to back it up,” said RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke. "This is a great opportunity for us at home to put another three points on the board and build from there."

The RailHawks (1W-0D-0L, 3 points) defeated Minnesota United, 3-1, in the Fall Season opener. Anchored by veteran goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald, the RailHawks match up well against a Fort Lauderdale (0W-0D-0L, 0 points) squad that made it to the 2014 NASL Championship Final. This is the second time these two teams have faced off in 2015, with the RailHawks taking the first match, 1-0, in Fort Lauderdale.                         

The RailHawks are second in the NASL Fall Season standings right behind FC Edmonton. The RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Ottawa Fury FC, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies are all at the top of the table with three points and are ranked by goal differential. In the NASL combined standings, the RailHawks sit alone at third place with 17 points

The RailHawks are coming off a dominant 3-1 win against the Loons to open the Fall Season. Simone Bracalello started the scoring off for the RailHawks with a beautiful goal from outside of the box to give them a 1-0 lead. Midfielders Tiyi Shipalane and Austin da Luz both added goals later in the match to help lead the team to victory.