In front of a packed house, a penalty kick in stoppage time by Juan Pablo Angel sentenced the match in favor of MLS’s Chivas USA, despite dominance by the RailHawks for most of the game. The RailHawks attempted to have another come from behind win after being down on the scoreboard in the first half off a Juan Agudelo goal. Mike Palacio scored the equalizer in the 79th minute to deadlock the game 1-1. The crowd of 7117 once again played a decisive role as the 12th man of the team.
“I’m extremely proud of the boys for the effort they put out there today. We were the better team and unfortunate circumstances at the end costs us the match,” said a proud Colin Clarke. “The fans today were great, and we hope they come back to support us. We still have a long season ahead and need the support we got over the last two weeks.”
The first half featured the excitement of Agudelo for Chivas USA and the RailHawks fast-paced passing attack, at times with as many as 8 players attacking. The MLS side was able to get ahead in the 31st minute when Laurent Courtois crossed a ball and Agudelo headed the ball towards the far post. Ray Burse showed his dominance in goal with three game saving stops in the first half.
The RailHawks started the second on the offensive. Pressure on Chivas USA’s back line allowed the RailHawks midfielders to find open spaces. Austin Da Luz, Brian Shriver, Nick Zimmerman, and Breiner Ortiz were making darting runs and serving up dangerous crosses. Zack Schilawski hit the crossbar in the 71stminute. The RailHawks found the much-deserved equalizer in the 79th minute when Palacio found the ball in the box and scored. Palacio had come into the game just one minute before scoring the goal. In stoppage time a handball inside the box gave Angel the game-winning penalty kick.
The RailHawks will play again at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday June 9th when they host Minnesota Stars FC. The RailHawks have played twice this year against the Stars FC in Minnesota. The teams opened the NASL season with the Champions Challenge that ended with a 0-0 draw. The last game, despite solid play by the RailHawks, the Stars FC won the match 2-1. Tickets for the match are on sale at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. For information about the match or tickets contact the Cruizers Box Office at 919-459-8144 or tickets@CarolinaRailHawks.com.
LINEUPS
CAR: GK Burse, D Elenio, D Agbossoumonde, D King, D Low (c), M Zimmerman (Palacio, 78), M Lowery, M Ortiz (Shipalane, 68), M Da Luz, F Schilawski (Ackley, 90), F Shriver
CHV: GK Melia, D Califf, D McKenzie, D Riley, D Gordon, M Vagenas, M Gavin (Smith, 83), M Courtois (Zemanski, 64), M Moreno, F Correa (Angel, 70), F Agudelo
GOALS
CAR: Palacio (Unassisted), 79;
CHV: Agudelo (Courtois), 31; Angel (Unassisted), 90;
CAUTIONS
CAR: Low, 35; Ortiz, 48; Lowery, 55;
CHV: Gavin, 37; Riley, 74; Smith, 90
SHOTS
CAR: 12
CHV: 11
SAVES
CAR: 4
CHV: 3
In front of a packed house, a penalty kick in stoppage time by Juan Pablo Angel sentenced the match in favor of MLS’s Chivas USA, despite dominance by the RailHawks for most of the game. The RailHawks attempted to have another come from behind win after being down on the scoreboard in the first half off a Juan Agudelo goal. Mike Palacio scored the equalizer in the 79th minute to deadlock the game 1-1. The crowd of 7117 once again played a decisive role as the 12th man of the team.
“I’m extremely proud of the boys for the effort they put out there today. We were the better team and unfortunate circumstances at the end costs us the match,” said a proud Colin Clarke. “The fans today were great, and we hope they come back to support us. We still have a long season ahead and need the support we got over the last two weeks.”
The first half featured the excitement of Agudelo for Chivas USA and the RailHawks fast-paced passing attack, at times with as many as 8 players attacking. The MLS side was able to get ahead in the 31st minute when Laurent Courtois crossed a ball and Agudelo headed the ball towards the far post. Ray Burse showed his dominance in goal with three game saving stops in the first half.
The RailHawks started the second on the offensive. Pressure on Chivas USA’s back line allowed the RailHawks midfielders to find open spaces. Austin Da Luz, Brian Shriver, Nick Zimmerman, and Breiner Ortiz were making darting runs and serving up dangerous crosses. Zack Schilawski hit the crossbar in the 71stminute. The RailHawks found the much-deserved equalizer in the 79th minute when Palacio found the ball in the box and scored. Palacio had come into the game just one minute before scoring the goal. In stoppage time a handball inside the box gave Angel the game-winning penalty kick.
The RailHawks will play again at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday June 9th when they host Minnesota Stars FC. The RailHawks have played twice this year against the Stars FC in Minnesota. The teams opened the NASL season with the Champions Challenge that ended with a 0-0 draw. The last game, despite solid play by the RailHawks, the Stars FC won the match 2-1. Tickets for the match are on sale at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. For information about the match or tickets contact the Cruizers Box Office at 919-459-8144 or tickets@CarolinaRailHawks.com.
LINEUPS
CAR: GK Burse, D Elenio, D Agbossoumonde, D King, D Low (c), M Zimmerman (Palacio, 78), M Lowery, M Ortiz (Shipalane, 68), M Da Luz, F Schilawski (Ackley, 90), F Shriver
CHV: GK Melia, D Califf, D McKenzie, D Riley, D Gordon, M Vagenas, M Gavin (Smith, 83), M Courtois (Zemanski, 64), M Moreno, F Correa (Angel, 70), F Agudelo
GOALS
CAR: Palacio (Unassisted), 79;
CHV: Agudelo (Courtois), 31; Angel (Unassisted), 90;
CAUTIONS
CAR: Low, 35; Ortiz, 48; Lowery, 55;
CHV: Gavin, 37; Riley, 74; Smith, 90
SHOTS
CAR: 12
CHV: 11
SAVES
CAR: 4
CHV: 3
