All posts by Neil Morris
Neil Morris ·
17 Mar 2010, 9:36 AM ·
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A joint press conference featuring coaches and players for the Carolina RailHawks and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution was designed to promote the teams’ preseason friendly this Saturday evening, March 20, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
However, another continuing revolution again took center stage thanks to one attendee, RailHawks’ President Brian Wellman.
Joining Wellman for Tuesday’s press conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Durham, N.C. were RailHawks’ coach Martin Rennie and captain Mark Schulte, together with longtime Revolution head coach Steve Nicol and two of their young players, Raleigh natives Darrius Barnes (a Duke University grad) and Zack Schilawski (a former Wake Forest standout). All appeared before members of the local media and a smattering of diehard RailHawks supporters.
Barnes enters his second season with New England as the only field player in MLS to play every minute of every game during his last year’s rookie outing. Meanwhile, Schilawski is embarking on his rookie season with the Revolution after the team drafted him in the first round of this year’s MLS SuperDraft. Although Schilawski will play in Saturday’s game, Nicol confirmed that Barnes will not due to a minor injury.
Last year, the RailHawks won the Community Shield match against New England, 1-0. This year’s game marks the end of the Revolution’s 10-day training visit to WakeMed Park. Last weekend, the Revs traveled to Charlotte, where they defeated the USL-2’s Charlotte Eagles 2-0. The match against Carolina will be their final tune-up before the scheduled MLS season opener against the L.A. Galaxy on March 27—a event that could be delayed or canceled if the ongoing MLS labor dispute isn’t resolved by then.
I will defer to the RailHawks’s revamped Web site for much of the arduous work of transcribing the comments that came from the dais. It is safe to say that the Railhawks enter the season a hungry and confident kettle. Coming off last year’s regular season runner-up finish in USL-1, which included winning the most matches in the league, Rennie returns the core of his squad along with several new, key pieces.
“For players and for coach, a second-place finish isn’t what we’re after,” said team captain Schulte. “We want to be first. It was a commendable season, considering no one really knew each other the first month or so. This year, I think is going to be something special.”
But, it was Wellman who sounded the most insurgent chord, using his opening prepared comments to expound on the mindset of both his team and its fledgling, as-yet-unsanctioned league, the North American Soccer League (NASL).
“Every roster spot is a meaningful spot, and Martin has a plan for every guy on the roster to get us deeper in the playoffs and contend for championships in both the U.S. Open Cup as well as the NASL league cup.”
The latter reference is eyebrow-raising, seeing how such a cup does not currently exist. The USSF has mandated that the member squads of both the USL-1 and NASL play in a combined USSF-sanctioned Division 2 league for 2010. Neither the USL-1 or NASL are individually sanctioned as D2 leagues by USSF this year. Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Brian Wellman, Community Shield, Darrius Barnes, Mark Schulte, Martin Rennie, MLS, NASL, New England Revolution, Nic Platter, Ramak Safi, Steve Nicol, striker from The Gambia, Zack Schilawski
Neil Morris ·
20 Feb 2010, 8:44 PM ·
1 Comment
MIDDLE CREEK PARK/ CARY—The outcome of the Carolina RailHawks’ first scrimmage of the 2010 USSF Division 2 soccer season was as incidental as its venue. For the record, the RailHawks defeated Duke University 3-2 in a match held at Middle Creek Park in Cary, an above-average parks & rec facility devoid of seating or a scoreboard. A modest number of die-hard fans—representing both sides—watched from along the touchline, close enough to hear the bawdy on-field clamor that normally evaporates in the more spacious confines of WakeMed Park.
Still, the match was sporty and well-contested, as evidenced by the urgent tenor of the players on the pitch. For the RailHawks, this debut preseason match was more an opportunity to observe a number of players vying to earn a spot on the team’s roster, prospects referred to generically as “trialists.” For various reasons, even the identities of these trialists are shrouded in mystery—inquiries to head coach Martin Rennie about the names of several went unanswered.
The RailHawks’ first half side was comprised almost entirely of trialists, joined only by returning midfielder Kupono Low, forward Sallieu Bundu and goalkeeper Eric Reed. Not coincidentally, Duke controlled the half and jumped out to a 2-0 lead, which was cut to 2-1 near halftime when one prospect punched a Bundu cross past the goalkeeper.
The RailHawks’ second half featured more familiar and formidable faces. Joining Reed and trialist Shintaro Harada from the opening stanza were Daniel Paladini, Andriy Budnyy, Mark Schulte, Joseph Kabwe, John Gilkerson, Devon McKenney, Josh Gardner, newcomer Floyd Franks and forward prospect Joseph Ngwenya, a 28-year-old Zimbabwean striker whose resume includes productive stints with the L.A. Galaxy, Columbus Crew and Houston Dynamo. Ngwenya hammered through the equalizer midway through the second half (see the goal here). Then Low, subbing for an injured Franks, chipped in the game-winner just before the referee blew the full-time whistle.
“Duke was really strong, so I was impressed with them, especially in the first half,” said Rennie. “Then, in the second half we took our chances and played quite well. It’s just the first week of training and it’s more important to get our fitness going and things like that, but it’s always nice to win.”
The daunting tryout process is best encapsulated by the case of Harada, a venerable Japanese defender/midfielder who last year starred with Crystal Palace Baltimore in USL-2. Besides Reed, only Harada played the entire match against Duke, displaying skill and passing efficiency. But, when asked after the game about Harada’s chances of making the club, Rennie stated, “We’re probably not going to sign him. He was trying out and played well during the course of the week, but probably not quite well enough.” Indeed, Ngwenaya is the only prospect from the Duke match that Rennie said was still being seriously considered for a roster spot.
Other news and notes:
- Leading up to training camp, the RailHawks have been stockpiling new defensive help, including Franks, 2009 USL-1 First-Team All-Leaguer Matt Bobo, and others. When asked when help was arriving for the front third, Rennie responded, “Well, Gregory Richardson will be back in a week, and we’ve signed someone we think is a big-time player from Malta who will be here pretty soon. We’ve also got Matt Watson coming back from injury, who is an attacking player. We’ll probably add another guy, but with all of those [Rennie mentioned], along with the three or four guys we’ve already got, we think we’re pretty close.”
- Josh Gardner’s presence at the Duke scrimmage was a bit unexpected, as it was commonly believed he had departed for opportunities in MLS. According to Rennie, Gardner’s status is still uncertain. “He’s got a potential offer from Seattle [Sounders], so he’ll have to decide what he would like to do. But, he likes being here and we like having him, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”
- In addition to those who played in the Duke scrimmage, other confirmed (officially and unofficially) returnees from last year’s RailHawks squad due to arrive by the end of the month include: Richardson, Watson, Greg Shields, Brian Plotkin, Caleb Norkus, Gavin Glinton and Amir Lowery. Rennie hopes to have his full plate of players by the March 5 preseason match against Elon University.
The RailHawks next preseason scrimmage is Saturday, Feb. 27 against Wake Forest on Field 6 at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Carolina RailHawks, Duke, Soccer Floyd Franks, Joseph Ngwenya, Josh Gardner, Martin Rennie, Shintaro Harada
Neil Morris ·
10 Feb 2010, 12:50 PM ·
Comment
One of the Carolina RailHawks’ biggest off-season questions was answered today when the team announced that midfielder Daniel Paladini, last year’s team Most Valuable Player, has re-signed with the Railhawks for the 2010 season.
Carolina RailHawks, NASL, Soccer Daniel Paladini
Neil Morris ·
20 Nov 2009, 11:16 PM ·
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Today was a flurry of activity in the ongoing dispute between USL Soccer and the breakaway Team Owners Association (TOA), which includes the Carolina Railhawks. First came a potentially game-changing press release from the TOA announcing the addition of two franchises to their nascent, still-unsanctioned league. USL-1 newcomer Tampa Bay Rowdies, a charter TOA member who remained slated to make their USL-1 debut next season, and USL-2’s Baltimore side Crystal Palace FC both declared their membership in the still unnamed league. This increases declared TOA membership to nine teams. It was less than a month ago that USL trumpeted the attendance of both clubs’ ownership groups at a USL organizational soiree in Beaverton, Oregon as part of the future of USL. “There is a change in the air,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis declared at the time. Indeed.
Later, the website USL News (not affiliated with the USL soccer league) broke the news that last Monday, Miami FC, a TOA breakaway team, filed claims with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on behalf of North American Soccer League, LLC. Of course, NASL is an iconic name in the annals of American soccer as the professional league that operated from 1968-1984 and featured such aging superstars as Pele and Franz Beckenbauer. This could very well forecast the name of the breakaway league, which the TOA says they will formally announce next week.
Then, late today, USL released their own foreboding statement regarding the Tampa and Baltimore defections. USL asserted the two teams’ contractual obligation to participate in the 2010 USL-1 season, and it not only promised to pursue breach of contract claims against the two squads, but, more ominously, accused the TOA of participating in “tortuous interference” with USL’s contractual relationship with its member teams. It bears mentioning that Papadakis is a franchise attorney, and with USL-1 rapidly losing the public relations and recruiting battle with a still-nonexistent league, legal haranguing remains one of the few (and perhaps effective) arrows they have left in their quiver.
With that in mind, soccer journalist Kartik Krishnaiyer posits that Tampa - who has already paid a $750,000 franchise fee to play in USL-1 next season - may be pledging support for the TOA in order to raise their member squads above an 8-team minimum required for approval by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), who is said to be meeting this weekend to consider the TOA’s application for sanction as Division II Men’s Outdoor Professional League. As with everything in this ongoing saga, stay tuned.
Below is today’s TOA press release:
TAMPA, BALTIMORE TO JOIN NEW PROFESSIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE
Expansion brings new league to nine teams
Nov. 20, 2009 - The Tampa Bay Rowdies<http://www.tbrowdies.com/> and Crystal Palace Baltimore<http://www.crystalpalaceusa.com/> have joined the new professional soccer league announced last week, beginning play in the United States and Canada in April 2010.
The addition of Tampa Bay and Baltimore brings the new league to nine teams, as they join the owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis Soccer United and Vancouver Whitecaps.
A name for the new league will be announced next week. The new league is also active in its search for a full-time commissioner and will introduce an extensive marketing campaign in the coming months.
“Tampa and Baltimore joining our efforts is a testament to our game plan, our current ownership strength and our promise for the future. The ownership groups of both teams share our vision for soccer in North America and we are thrilled to welcome them to our new league,” said Joey Saputo, Chairman of the Board of Governors and President of the Montreal Impact.
“As we start a new team and build a strong franchise in Tampa, it’s important that our group of team owners learn from past mistakes in North American soccer and focus on building a strong league, as well,” said Andrew Nestor, owner and president of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. “With this new team-owned and controlled league which consists of some of the most established teams in North American soccer, we are excited about our team and collective future.”
“Crystal Palace Baltimore is pleased and honored to join and be a part of what we see as the future of North American soccer. We are particularly excited about the structure of a team-controlled and owned league, especially when you look at the quality of owners that we have in this league and the impressive history of the clubs,” said Pete Medd, co-owner of Crystal Palace Baltimore. “We are proud to be one of the founding members and believe it’s the right league at the right time for us and for soccer in North America.”
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer NASL, TOA, USL
Neil Morris ·
12 Jun 2009, 10:03 AM ·
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Portland's David Hayes, left, and Luke Kreamalmeyer battle for the ball. (photo by Rich Bostwick)
WAKEMED SOCCER PARK / CARY—It was a night of replacements for the Carolina RailHawks’ final match this season against the Portland Timbers: A substitute field, several mainstays in each teams’ lineups out due to injuries and/or fatigue, and a lifelong sports fan yet soccer novice making his debut with Triangle Offense’s local futbol coverage.
The patchwork Field 2 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, again being used in place of the main stadium field during its turf replacement process, was, as goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell succinctly put it, “terrible.” Still, with ominous lightning clouds encroaching, the RailHawks managed to stave off a game, aggressive Portland squad and eke out a 0-0 draw.
Against the backdrop of stately pines encircling the perimeter of Field 2, the Timbers stood as tall as sequoias throughout a first half during which they dominated time-of-possession and extended a counterattacking defense that constantly stymied the Railhawks’ offensive rhythm. The Timbers’ midfielders seemingly cut at will through Carolina’s defense like a chainsaw through lumber. So conspicuous was Portland’s ball control that in the latter stages of the half, a young boy not more than 12 years old turned around to inform me that, “They’re playing too much on this half of the field.” Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Caleb Patterson Sewell, Daniel Paladini, John Cunliffe, Kupono Low, Mamadou Danso, Mark Schulte, Martin Rennie, Matt Watson
Neil Morris ·
19 May 2009, 11:33 AM ·
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Just across the wire services: multiple sources report that John Wall has informed Coach John Calipari that he will sign with the Kentucky Wildcats.
Click this link for the full story on espn.com
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Neil Morris ·
3 May 2009, 12:03 AM ·
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DBAP / DURHAM—An announced crowd of more than 9,000—including my 6-year-old son and I—ventured to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to enjoy some lovely weather and the final kid-friendly 5:05 p.m. start time for a Saturday evening Bulls’ home game this season. The atmosphere was wonderful, especially with second-row seats along the first base line, and once my son finally got the cotton candy he was craving even before the game started.
Far less pleasant was watching the Columbus Clippers hang double-digit runs against the Bulls pitching staff for the second consecutive game, following up Friday night’s 14-1 shellacking with a 10-6 win over Durham. Even more significant is that much of tonight’s offensive outburst came against David Price, who was making his fifth start of the season. Upon passing his 75-pitch limit, Price was lifted after 3.2 innings, but not before yielding six runs off four hits and three walks (and only one strikeout). Admittedly, only two of those runs were earned—the Bulls committed two errors in the first inning and Price’s final two runs were the base runners who scored off a double allowed by Julio DePaula, who relieved Price.
Price suffered the loss despite two rally runs the Bulls tacked on in the ninth inning. This follows Price’s last start, a three-run, four-hit loss to Norfolk on April 26. For the season, Price is now 1-3 with a 3.92 ERA. Even more troublesome is that he has allowed a total of 14 runs, 18 hits and 11 walks in only 20.2 innings pitched. I will leave to our Bulls’ beat writers to pontificate on the potential reasons behind Price’s early sophomore slump. But, whether judging by statistics or observing Columbus’ batters teeing off on him, something about Price isn’t quite right.
Now, where can I get another $5 funnel cake?
Baseball, Durham Bulls David Price
Neil Morris ·
15 Mar 2009, 10:54 PM ·
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Tonight, the National Invitation Tournament unveiled their 2009 men’s basketball brackets, and, unfortunately, N.C. State was not among those chosen for the post-season tournament. The ACC teams selected were Virginia Tech and Miami, whose NCAA bubbles burst earlier this evening. Davidson also made the NIT and will open the tournament at South Carolina on Tuesday, March 17.
N.C. State (16-14) is surely disappointed, but, in reviewing the NIT brackets, the Wolfpack have little to quibble about. Only five teams with as many total losses as the Wolfpack were selected: Va Tech, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Baylor, and Washington State (who has 15 losses). However, all those teams have a RPI in the nation’s top 100, while N.C. State’s RPI is 111. And, of those five teams, the one with the lowest strength of schedule (SOS) ranking is Washington State at 54. Meanwhile, N.C. State’s SOS is 71.
ACC, Basketball, N.C. State nit
Neil Morris ·
2 Mar 2009, 1:43 AM ·
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RBC CENTER/ RALEIGH—When Greivis Vasquez tossed in a meaningless three-point basket as time expired on Maryland’s 71-60 victory over N.C. State in Raleigh Sunday evening, a cascade of boos rained down from the already less-than-capacity crowd still remaining in the RBC Center. The shot left Wolfpack guard Javier Gonzalez fuming that such a stunt could get Vasquez “punched in the face.” And, while Coach Sidney Lowe said his team should have played defense through the final buzzer, he added, “You don’t forget it.”
In truth, the tempest over Vasquez’s trifecta is a textbook case of displacement. A crushing disappointment was etched across the faces of Wolfpack players and coaches after the loss. Coming into the game, only three ACC teams had fewer home losses this season than N.C. State (North Carolina, Duke, and Wake Forest). Three straight victories to close out the regular season would have given the Wolfpack an 8-8 conference record and virtually assured them a postseason tournament bid.
Instead, N.C. State (15-12, 5-9 ACC) played with a mixture of confusion and lethargy.
Continue reading »
Basketball, N.C. State Ben McCauley, Brandon Costner, Gary Williams, Greivis Vasquez, Javier Gonzalez, Maryland, Sidney Lowe, Tracy Smith
Neil Morris ·
26 Feb 2009, 11:20 PM ·
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TV/RAYCOM - N.C. State hung around…and hung around Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Thursday night. But, in the end, the Wolfpack could not overcome a stellar night by Wake Forest sophomore forward James Johnson as the Demon Deacons avenged their Feb. 11 loss in Raleigh with a 85-78 victory.
Johnson scored a career-high 28 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to pace the 13th-ranked Demon Deacons, who improved to 21-5 on the season (yet only 8-5 in conference play). Ishmael Smith came off the bench with a season-high 18 points, and center Chas McFarland added 15 points. For the game, Wake Forest shot 52.5 percent from the field and, most significantly, out-rebounded N.C. State 41-25.
Still, the Wolfpack had their chances.
Continue reading »
Basketball, N.C. State Ben McCauley, Brandon Costner, Farnold Degand, James Johnson, Tracy Smith, Wake Forest
