
Two Carolina RailHawks have been called up to their respective national teams and will step away from the club in order to participate in the second round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, which begins this week.
Defender John Krause has been called into camp with Puerto Rico, and midfielder Chris Nurse will represent Guyana. Both players have already departed RailHawks camp and joined their respective national teams.
“John and Chris have had excellent seasons this year,” said Head Coach Martin Rennie. “Both will be missed and are expected to be major contributors for their respective national teams. It’s very exciting and an honor for both individuals and the RailHawks organization.”
Krause has been capped by Puerto Rico five times. He made his international debut on Oct. 2, 2010, and scored his first goal in a Caribbean Championship match two days later.
In his first season with the RailHawks, Krause has appeared in 20 matches, played 1,768 minutes, scored one goal and anchored the NASL’s best defense (0.91 goals against average).
“It’s an exciting opportunity and a great feeling to be able to represent a country,” said Krause. “I spent a number of years in Puerto Rico and I am proud to be able to represent the people of Puerto Rico. The ability to participate in World Cup qualifying is a great accomplishment and look forward to competing on the international level.”
Nurse has seven caps to his credit for Guyana. He made his international debut in November 2008 at the Caribbean Championships, and he last appeared for Guyana on Nov. 17, 2010 in a friendly against Guatemala.
Nurse, also in his first season with the RailHawks, has appeared in 18 matches, logged 1,171 minutes and scored one goal and three assists.
“Any time you get called up to represent a country it’s a great achievement,” said Nurse. “This will be my eighth cap for Guyana and they have a new manager that has been really successful in Trinidad. It’s going to be very exciting and we have a good chance of qualifying.”
In this round of World Cup Qualifying, teams are placed into groups and will play a round-robin format. The winner of each group advances on to the next stage of qualifying.
Puerto Rico is paired with St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Canada in Group D. Puerto Rico will face Saint Kitts and Nevis on Friday in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Canada on Sept. 6 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Guyana is grouped with Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Bermuda. Guyana begins play in Group B on Friday against Barbados, and the Golden Jaguars will also face Bermuda on Sept. 6. Both matches will be played in Providence, Guyana.
The RailHawks, meanwhile, will look to extend their lead at the top of the NASL table on Saturday, when they face Tampa Bay at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m. The RailHawks, winners of their last two matches, are six points clear at the top of the NASL table with five games remaining.
Two Carolina RailHawks have been called up to their respective national teams and will step away from the club in order to participate in the second round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, which begins this week.
Defender John Krause has been called into camp with Puerto Rico, and midfielder Chris Nurse will represent Guyana. Both players have already departed RailHawks camp and joined their respective national teams.
“John and Chris have had excellent seasons this year,” said Head Coach Martin Rennie. “Both will be missed and are expected to be major contributors for their respective national teams. It’s very exciting and an honor for both individuals and the RailHawks organization.”
Krause has been capped by Puerto Rico five times. He made his international debut on Oct. 2, 2010, and scored his first goal in a Caribbean Championship match two days later.
In his first season with the RailHawks, Krause has appeared in 20 matches, played 1,768 minutes, scored one goal and anchored the NASL’s best defense (0.91 goals against average).
“It’s an exciting opportunity and a great feeling to be able to represent a country,” said Krause. “I spent a number of years in Puerto Rico and I am proud to be able to represent the people of Puerto Rico. The ability to participate in World Cup qualifying is a great accomplishment and look forward to competing on the international level.”
Nurse has seven caps to his credit for Guyana. He made his international debut in November 2008 at the Caribbean Championships, and he last appeared for Guyana on Nov. 17, 2010 in a friendly against Guatemala.
Nurse, also in his first season with the RailHawks, has appeared in 18 matches, logged 1,171 minutes and scored one goal and three assists.
“Any time you get called up to represent a country it’s a great achievement,” said Nurse. “This will be my eighth cap for Guyana and they have a new manager that has been really successful in Trinidad. It’s going to be very exciting and we have a good chance of qualifying.”
In this round of World Cup Qualifying, teams are placed into groups and will play a round-robin format. The winner of each group advances on to the next stage of qualifying.
Puerto Rico is paired with St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Canada in Group D. Puerto Rico will face Saint Kitts and Nevis on Friday in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Canada on Sept. 6 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Guyana is grouped with Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Bermuda. Guyana begins play in Group B on Friday against Barbados, and the Golden Jaguars will also face Bermuda on Sept. 6. Both matches will be played in Providence, Guyana.
The RailHawks, meanwhile, will look to extend their lead at the top of the NASL table on Saturday, when they face Tampa Bay at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m. The RailHawks, winners of their last two matches, are six points clear at the top of the NASL table with five games remaining.