CARY, N.C. – Currently sitting tied for fifth place, the Carolina RailHawks need a win to move back into the upper half of the North American Soccer League (NASL) Combined Standings.
Struggling during the early part of the Fall season and possessing a 2-2-4 record and eight points, the RailHawks have the opportunity to earn a much-needed victory over the league’s overall top team, the New York Cosmos (3-3-1, 12 pts), when the two sides meet at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday.
Coming off a pair of 3-0 shutout losses to FC Edmonton and the Jacksonville Armada, the RailHawks are hoping to take advantage of their home-pitch advantage over the Cosmos, and end a current four-game winless skid.
Carolina has lost just once at home in 2015, and the Cosmos have never won a game following four trips to WakeMed.
The two teams met last in May, and played to a 2-2 draw after late goals from the Cosmos allowed the visitors to depart with a point.
Leading the NASL Combined standings, the Cosmos sit with an average 3-3-1 record in the Fall, but boast a recent five-game unbeaten run.
Though both teams have been moving in different directions in the standings recently, it’s a trend that Carolina can alter for the better.
“Saturday’s match will be very important for us,” RailHawks head Coach Colin Clarke said.
“It’s time to respond from our last games on the road, and there is no better game or time to make a response.”