David Fellerath ·
13 Sep 2009, 3:05 PM ·
1 Comment
The story of the first half: Gregory Richardson leaves Christian Arrieta behind. Photo by Jeremy M. Lange
WAKEMED SOCCER PARK—It was the most exciting league game of the year. Fast, furious and creative, the RailHawks brought their A-game against the rugged, battle-hardened and extremely adept Puerto Rico Islanders. It was also a road-weary Islanders lineup that put most of its regulars out on the field despite a looming, critical CONCACAF Champions League match against Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul. The 2-1 result put the RailHawks back in second place ahead of the Islanders, which they can clinch with a win against Montreal Friday (although Charleston can tie them with two final victories).
The first 12 minutes were enough to win the game, as the RailHawks’ left winger Gregory Richardson waltzed at will past the Islanders’ star right back Christian Arrieta in the first half. In the second minute, Richardson broke into the box and took a ball from Joseph Kabwe, and put it past PR keeper Justin Myers at the far post. It was Richardson’s fifth goal of the season.
It was the fastest goal of the season for the RailHawks—and many fans were still arriving through the main gate. There was plenty of first-rate football left for them, however. In the 11th, Richardson left Arrieta flailing in a spectacular jinking operation, but the Islanders’ Sean Fraser came in to help. The ball came back upfield and Richardson uncorked from distance. It was on-frame, but the ball deflected off Andriy Budnyy on its high-speed way and the Ukrainian got his fourth goal of the season.
In the first half, the RailHawks put on their most fluid, creative and dazzling display of the season—an even more impressive performance than the 9-0 result against the hapless Miami, because Colin Clarke’s Islanders are no Miami. Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Andriy Budnyy, Christian Arrieta, Colin Clarke, Gregory Richardson, Joseph Kabwe, Martin Rennie, Nicholas Addlery, Pablo Martin Nuñez, Puerto Rico Islanders
David Fellerath ·
11 Sep 2009, 11:39 AM ·
Comment
Gavin Glinton attacks the goal against the Islanders on June 27. (Photo by Rich Bostwick)
Well, two days ago we were pretty pessimistic about the RailHawks’ chances of regaining second place after losing to Puerto Rico 2-0 on Tuesday. We noted that in order for the RailHawks to grab that spot back from the Islanders, they would have to beat Puerto Rico this Saturday, Sept. 12, AND some help would be required from either of Puerto Rico’s two remaining, nonplayoff-bound opponents.
Last night, that’s exactly what happened, as the Minnesota Thunder deafened the Islanders 5-2.
What’s curious about a closer inspection of Puerto Rico coach Colin Clarke’s lineup is that he chose to rest his key players. Left off the starting lineup were such mainstays as forwards Nicholas Addlery and Kendall Jagdeosingh, midfielder Jonathan Steele, goalkeeper Bill Gaudette and defender Christian Arrieta. The latter two, both frontrunners for All-USL-1 honors, were left off the lineup entirely. (Among the squaddies who got a chance to start last night: ex-RailHawks phenom Martin Nuñez, now seeing limited minutes under his full name of Pablo Martin Nuñez.)
So, call Clarke crazy, but he seems to have calculated that it was best to keep his best players in reserve for Saturday night’s matchup against the RailHawks.
The stakes are very high for this game. If Puerto Rico wins, they clinch second place. If the RailHawks win, they move into second and can secure it with a win next Friday against Montreal.
And why all the fuss over second place, anyway? It means not facing the powerful Portland Timbers until the final round of the playoffs, of course.
Game on at 7 p.m. tomorrow. And no, you can’t go see N.C. State play Murray State instead—unless you’re Triangle Offense’s Joe Schwartz and Rob Rowe. Visit here for RailHawks ticket info. Also, tomorrow’s game is the occasion for a fundraiser to benefit The Magnificent Mile and the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation. The press release contains details after the jump. Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Colin Clarke, Martin Nuñez, Minnesota Thunder, Puerto Rico Islanders
