Santiago Fusilier dropped from RailHawks roster in advance of CD Olimpia friendly

David Fellerath · 25 Mar 2009, 6:55 PM · 6 Comments

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Santiago Fusilier, the tough, tenacious Argentine winger who provided more than his share of highlights on last year’s sluggish team, has dropped off the RailHawks roster.  

His departure comes in a week when the team announced the signings of two veteran performers, Sierra Leone international Mustapha Sama and Turks and Caicos Island international Gavin Glinton. (Glinton, however, has a green card, which means his presence on the roster doesn’t count against the league limit of seven international players. The RailHawks presently have six internationals. See comment thread here.)

A spokesman for the team declined to comment on Fusilier.

The team is preparing for its second major preseason friendly, this Friday against Honduran powerhouse CD Olimpia. The game, which begins at 8 p.m., will give fans another opportunity to assess a drastically made-over team that made an impressive debut in a 1:0 defeat of the New England Revolution two weekends ago.

Fusilier (which means “musketeer” in numerous languages) is a native of Buenos Aires and played three years at N.C. State before beginning his RailHawks career in 2007. That season ended prematurely with a knee injury, but he came back in 2008 and became one of the liveliest players in the RailHawks lineup. He scored four goals in 40 appearances with the team.

We’re reposting one of our favorite Santi moments, which occurred in last summer’s friendly versus Los Rayados de Monterrey of Mexico’s La Primera Division. You’ll see him making a sublime pass to Martin Nuñez (with whom he shared the team’s co-offensive player of the year award) that nearly resulted in what would have been the game’s only goal. (Video courtesy USLLive.com, by way of Jarrett at trisoccerfan.com.)


Watch RailHawks v Monterrey Nuñez breakaway in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

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6 Comments

Thanks Jarrett. Love that volley against Vancouver (first link).

— David Fellerath 25 March 2009

I still can’t believe they let Santi go. Over the last season, the few of us that regularly made it to the games noticed that most offensive attacks that ended in goals or close plays started on the right side. His speed, dribble, and shot make him an extremely explosive player.

I feel this will be one of the lessons the staff and management will use as a “learn from our mistakes”. Releasing such a talented and devoted player was a very very big mistake. Plus it should be noted that having spent the last 6 years here, he is almost a local player, putting people in the stands and having fans.

— Ignacio 26 March 2009

Yes, it was a pleasure to watch Santi on the right wing—and he’ll surely delight the fans of whatever team is lucky enough to get him.

I’m not sure why he’s no longer on the roster, but surely Santi’s popularity and local ties weren’t lost on the management.

One thing this turn of events tells us is that this year’s team is very talented. Time will be the judge: If the RailHawks have a successful season, this decision will seem forgivable. If the team doesn’t win, the loss of Santi will no doubt be felt more bitterly.

— David Fellerath 26 March 2009

Santiago was the best player Carolina had in all this 2 years
Big,big lost for Carolina Railhawks.
We’re going to miss him a lost in all the games.
No one can replace him.
But we wishes the best for Santi because ,not only he is an incredible payer but also an excellent human being.
The best for you Santi!!!!!!!!
-Manuel

— Manuel 28 March 2009

[...] Santiago Fusilier has been dropped from RailHawks roster. Fusilier was a tough, tenacious Argentine winger who provided more than his share of highlights on last year’s sluggish team. [...]

— United Soccer Leagues Week in Review 3/29/2009 | Inside Minnesota Soccer 29 March 2009

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