RailHawks 2-0 loss to Silverbacks slows run to postseason

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

CARY, N.C. – It was an opportunity lost to gain ground in the North American Soccer League (NASL) standings for the Carolina RailHawks this past weekend.

The RailHawks fell 2-0 to the visiting Atlanta Silverbacks at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night.

The final result gave the Silverbacks their first-ever victory when visiting the Triangle and pushed the RailHawks down to sixth place in the league’s Combined Standings, now sitting two points behind (23 points) the fourth-place Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Tampa Bay Rowdies (25 points).

While both teams played to a scoreless first half, it was Atlanta that took advantage of its opportunities as goals in the 63rd and 75th minutes of play were enough to top Carolina on its home pitch.

Despite creating multiple opportunities at the beginning of the second half, the RailHawks (3W-0T-6L, 9 points) were unable to break through Atlanta’s (3W-2T-3L, 11 points) defense, and lost the opportunity to post three more points to their ledger.

The RailHawks will travel to Canada to take on Ottawa Fury FC on Sunday, hoping to earn a valuable road win to stay in postseason contention.

BOX SCORE

LINEUPS:

CAR: GK: Fitzgerald, D: Low, Watson-Siriboe, Tobin, Graye; M: Davidson, Albadawi (Latigue, 81st) Shipalane, Zimmerman (Osaki, 70th), Barrera F: Aa. King (Jackson, 59)

ATL:  GK: Ati; D: Carr (Sousa, 86th), Espinoza, Roushandel, Randolph, M: Harley (Gonzales, 81st), Poku, Gavin, Sandoval; F: Cruz, Chavez (Paulini, 90th)

GOALS: CAR:  — ; ATL:Sandoval (Unassisted) – 63rd; Roushandel (Cruz) – 75th  

CAUTIONS: CAR: — ; ATL: Espinoza (55th)

EJECTIONS: CAR: — ; ATL: —