Railhawks have an away game, at Indy Eleven, Saturday night (June 11th). CAR is in 5th out of 11 NASL teams at 4-3-2 (14 pts) 10 GF, 9 GA. They played to a 0-0 draw with Jacksonville last Saturday. Their leading goal scorer is left midfielder Austin De Luz (with 3 in 8 NASL games), former first round SuperDraft pick of the Red Bulls. In their previous Open Cup match against Charlotte, they played a 4-2-3-1, with Brian Shriver (2 goals this season) as the lone striker. They went up a man in the 29th minute when Jun Marques Davidson saw red card for Charlotte. Despite the man advantage, they played to 0-0 in regulation. CAR then scored 5 times in AET for the win. Substitute Billy Schuler (for De Luz) came on in the 85th minute, and found the net two minutes into overtime, and again at the 115 mark. A-Mid Nazmi Albadawi (96'), Shriver (99'), and substitute Jonathan Orlando (109') also scored. Their top GK, Akira Fitzgerald, was with NYCFC in pre-season last year before returning to Carolina. He has allowed only 4 goals in 6 games this season.
If we start with less than an A team (perhaps with the merest sprinkling of youth) it'd be a crime. I want Kei to rack up a bunch of goals, just to make sure he gets off the schneid.
I worry that the game at Vancouver on Saturday is going to throw a wrench into the works of playing a strong starting 11. Fortunately some of the role players have gotten decent MLS minutes earlier this season so that might help balance it out. I expect we'll see Herivaux, Samba, Smith, Femi and Kobayashi getting starts. Looking ahead a bit, will the team travel back from Carolina Wed. night or Thursday morning then turn around to go out to Vancouver on Friday morning to get a training session in out there before the game on Saturday? I'm curious to see how they'll manage it. Having Kei in the mix to hopefully bag a few goals would be a good idea.
I wonder if the time off means we'll see some of the regular players, particularly "up the spine": Bobby, Goncalves, Koffee (is he fit?) or Caldwell, Nguyen For reference, last year:
Current weather forecast for next Wednesday: High 98, Low 74, 53% humidity. If this holds, then I would imagine it will be 88 or better around kickoff at 7pm. FWIW, I see the Railhawks as rather toothless. I cannot figure out how they can hurt the Revs (jinx?). After starting the season well, they have scored one goal in their last 5 NASL games. The USOC game was 0-0 after 90 as well and the Independence was down a man for 60 minutes. Charlotte gave up/tired out/lost hope after the first goal in AET.
Sounds like Koffie will start training again early next week. http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/pos...covers-injury-he-s-itching-get-back-out-there
Motivated by last year’s early exit, Revs ready to begin another Open Cup campaign June 9, 2016, 4:34 PM EDT Jeff Lemieux
We just need a "We're going to take this tournament seriously" comment now, and we'll be all set for our annual "rinse and repeat."
Jay Heaps, New England Revolution readying for U.S. Open Cup By Brian O'Connell June 10, 2016 ESPN FC
RailHawks downed by @IndyEleven 4-1. Read the full match recap here: https://t.co/2geSkg07hf pic.twitter.com/K4nxqdLARQ— North Carolina FC 🏆 (@NorthCarolinaFC) June 12, 2016
So do they suck, or were they saving their best for us? Either way, the Revs fan in me is not reassured.
Indy11 won the NASL spring season and will give the Fire a good game on Wednesday in the Peter Wilt bowl. The Railhawks came in 7 out of 11, scoring 11 goals in 10 games, finishing with a -2 goal differential. They started the spring season 4-0-0 scoring 9 goals in four games, then fell apart. I did not follow closely enough to know if something happened that changed their fortunes, but I have seen a few games and feel the record is an accurate representation of their ability as a team. Nothing about this team scares an opponent. The Railhawks are improving a lot off the field since they were purchased by a local owner, but they still have a ways to go on the field. Given the top potential of the Railhawks and the Revs depth, this should be a good match up for the Revs. The Revs should avoid walking on to the field thinking that the game is won. Additionally, they should avoid putting out 11 players who have never played together before (a continuity/familiarity issue) as that would be a great equalizer.
US Open Cup 2016 Fourth Round Preview: 12 MLS teams in action on Wednesday MLSsoccer staff Jun 14, 2016
U.S. Open Cup Preview: Revs head south for fourth-round meeting with RailHawks June 14, 2016, 10:25 AM EDT Jeff Lemieux
Today's forecast is cooler than predicted last week, but more humid. Should be about 80 degrees at game time and close to 80% humidity. Thunderstorms on the forecast all night after 5PM, but most likely around game time. I have a feeling we will get to see McCrary, Smith, and Barnes tonight as they have local ties. Kind of hoping that both teams offer Wells Thompson a one day contract and he can play one half for each team. Also, hoping to see one time Revs target Marvin Ceballos get on the field for the Railhawks, but he has only played about 45 minutes this year so it is unlikely.
This isn't a friendly though, so he'd be Cup tied once he played for one side. But it's the thought that counts...
The Railhawks are hosting West Ham in their North American tour. Ticket prices were REALLY high for a club like West Ham, and I gather sales went poorly. The team sent out an email offering a ticket to tonight's game and the West Ham game for $40. (In the cheap seats, but in a place this small, there aren't any really BAD seats.) So I got a pair for me and my daughter. Because of that deal, expect at least the cheap seats to be full. My ticket says 7:30, not 7. I'll be sure to double check. Around here, in the summer, it's pretty common for there to be heavy, brief thundershowers as the sun goes down. My phone has evening hours at 40% or 50% chance. If the weather isn't too shitty I'll be going. I'll give y'all a report when I get back. EDIT: The Railhawks' website confirms it's 7:30. @VTSoccerFan