News

RailHawks Add James Moberg On Loan

The club also added Jose Morales Jr.
Carolina RailHawks Staff | Jul 26, 2016

The Carolina RailHawks added depth to their midfield with the acquisition of James Moberg on loan from United Soccer League (USL) side Real Monarchs and Capital Area RailHawks Academy standout Jose Morales Jr. signed to an amateur contract. Per club policy no further details of the transactions were disclosed. 
 
“We had some injuries and were low on numbers,” RailHawks coach Colin Clarke said. “[Moberg] was someone I knew that could possibly be available. He was at Salt Lake and hadn’t gotten his playing time, but had a good college career in Washington, so we decided to bring him in and have a look to see where it leads.”
 
A native of Windsor, Ca., Moberg began his professional career with the Monarchs after being originally selected by Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps in the third round (No. 50 overall) of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. He appeared in five games for the Monarchs all as a substitute. The (6-foot-2 midfielder spent his collegiate career at the University of Washington where he saw action in 69 games recording 10 goals and 21 assists.
 
“It’s been a quick turnaround, but so far I like it,” Moberg said after his first practice. “The humidity is not as bad as I thought it would be, and the field is amazing. The team was pretty welcoming on the first day, and I’m looking forward to just getting in the game and helping this team win. What I’ve heard and read is that they’re a really good team, and I’m just trying to come in and help them get some wins.”
 
Morales, a Sanford, N.C., native and product of the Sanford Area Soccer League youth club, comes to the RailHawks after impressing his coaches on the U-15/16 Capital Area RailHawks Academy team. During the 2015-16 season, he appeared in 36 matches and recorded 11 goals as a midfielder. He also appeared in the RailHawks’ match against West Ham United of the English Premier League on July 12, playing 27 minutes.
 
“It’s a very beautiful experience, being able to participate with a professional team,” Morales said. “I just want to help and want them to help me as a soccer player. I’m looking forward to learning from the older guys and reaching the best of my potential.”
 
The Capital Area RailHawks Academy is a collaboration between the Capital Area Soccer League and the RailHawks for U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams in the U-12, U-13/14, U-15/16, and U-17/18 age groups and is designed to attract the highest caliber players and coaches possible, regardless of their previous club affiliations. Academy players are eligible to train and play with professional soccer players prior to their enrollment in college and keep their NCAA eligibility.
 
“Again [with Morales] it’s a numbers situation, and this is the advantage of having a close relationship with our academy and having these players in on a regular basis,” Clarke said. “It’s not only Jose, but also Manny [Perez] and Rosy [Lucas Del Rosario], there’s five or six of them that we know are good players and, at any given time, if we need somebody, we feel comfortable bringing them up and taking them and playing them as we did with Jeremy Kelly and Nick Taitague. This is the next phase for them. It’s good for Jose; he’s done well on the field against West Ham. The landscape of this game is changing in America as far of the youth relationship with the pro team, and we’re very lucky to have that relationship. I think it’s only going to get better and stronger.”

Our Terms and Conditions of Use have changed. By using this Site, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Use. Agree and Dismiss
Our Privacy Policy has changed. By using this Site, you agree to the Privacy Policy. Agree and Dismiss