Daniel Jackson Returns To The RailHawks

The Carolina RailHawks announced the return of forward Daniel Jackson for the remainder of the season. The 26-year-old spent the 2014 season with the RailHawks in which he made 16 game appearances and scored a crucial goal in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against MLS’ LA Galaxy. 

“Daniel is a player we know well,” said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. “He scored a very important goal for us against LA Galaxy last year, so it’s great to have him back.”

The South Haven, Michigan, native played four years of soccer at the collegiate level and transferred from Cumberland University to Coker College in 2012.

As a junior with the Cobras of Coker College, Jackson was named to Conference Carolinas third team All-Conference. In his senior year, Jackson scored 14 goals, and was ranked second-best in the South Atlantic Conference.

In addition, Jackson was named to the All-South Atlantic Conference third team, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America 2013 NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer All-Southeast Region third team, and the Daktronics All-Southeast Region second team.

Jackson became Coker College’s first soccer player to be drafted professionally when he was selected in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Real Salt Lake 70th overall in the fourth round.

In March of 2014, Jackson signed with the Carolina RailHawks and notably scored the game-winning goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy, which advanced the RailHawks to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup for the second straight season.

Jackson then joined USL’s Charlotte Independence in March 2015. Jackson made 15 appearances for the team, logging 784 minutes and scoring four goals.