I guess hispanic would be the proper word. Do you guys think we will play anyone other then a Mexican League team. I enjoy those games, but I am tired of seeing Borgetti. I would like to see maybe some teams from the CONCACAF Champions League. Maybe a Joe Public, CD Olimpia, Club Santos Laguna. Just something different then what we got in the past.
Whatever will bring in the most fans, I'm sure. And we've seen how fans of the Mexican teams come out... so I don't see why they would try something different. Although I'm not too sure of certain demographics in the area that might come out for another country's league.
NC has one of the largest Honduran populations in America and I am sure they came to the last two Mexican games here. I think Hispanics will come as long as it is a Hispanic team I don't think it has to be Mexican. Past two years we bring Borgetti who was past his prime when he was with Bolton. Does anyone know what the deal is with Santi. I like how he never stops attacking. Was just wondering with the USL rules and the amount of International players we have brought in this year, if he will be on the squad. Hate to lose an attacker that looks to just be figuring out this league.
Fair enough, although I'm not sure about your hang-up with "bringing Borgetti" because when I think of Cruz Azul, I don't immediately think - "Oh yeah, that team that had Borgetti!" I think, "Wow, the RailHawks are playing one the biggest and most popular clubs in Mexican soccer history."
Do you know who that was wearing the #20? He looked fairly impressive. Also, I noticed that Romero is wearing #14. I hope Caleb got a good price for it.
Heard a rumor, and not sure if it is true, but I heard that someone who has been a starter in almost every game for the past two years got released today. Do you guys know who it is? Guys I know that were on the team last year, told me the team made a big cut today, but wouldn't expand, because that guy is trying to go elsewhere soon, and didn't want to interfere with his attempt to do this. I have an idea of two or three guys, but not sure which one it is.
Rumor has it Stokes and McClellan...but it's just rumor until I can confirm it. Considering the folks that have been brought in, neither would really be shocking. Rennie brought his keeper from Cleveland and his favorite CB. Also, the mystery "premier league" player is a CB, I understand.
To lose either of them would really disappoint me. I felt like Stokes was only a little bit of consistent concentration away from being a fantastic cb, and McClellan was lacking mainly a change in attitude (towards opposing players), and improved distribution (which was improving last year, imo). I hope if either, or both of them, leave, it is to move on to new and interesting challenges.
I thought bringing in Cruz Azul the first year was great and those caliber teams are teams I feel the RailHawks can really play with and offer a competitive challenge. No offense to Monterey, but I thought last year we could have brought another team as good as Cruz Azul. Cant wait to hear who got released. Unfortunately having a bad team in the standings last year didn't help their status for this year. I think with a new coach and a new philosophy it is hard to keep players that underperformed last year. I thought Stokes was great the first year, but the last year I thought we had two of the slowest CB in the league. We continually got beat through Stokes and Segovia(got beat more the Stokes).
So it sounds like Miami is going to shut down before the season starts...How do you think this will effect the league and roster options for the railhawks
In terms of roster I think this will not affect us at all. Past posts have showed that we are cutting the fat on our roster as it is. I think when it comes to schedule this is great, this gives the RailHawks another chance to bring in another International game. That kind of game is a much bigger draw than another USL game. If you ever saw a Miami FC game on TV you can see why they folded, my high school games had more fans.(Marco hyperbole) I will be interested to see how the organization handles this opening on their schedule.
I'm sad to hear about any of the teams in the league folding... I hope the rest of them stick it out. I bet the 'Hawks would have liked to have kept more teams that weren't that far of a journey...
as bad as it looks to fail so close to the season... The team was struggling badly and I was embarassed for the league everytime I saw a Miami game on USL Live. Clear out the franchises like this and continue adding solid organizations (like us! ) But I honestly do feel sorry for the true Miami fans down there, they deserve better.
Is it a done deal that they're officially RIP? I get the impression that they could still salvage a season. There might be a secondary motive in Traffic Sports ultimatum. That being said, I'm surprised that they held on this long. I agree that their attendance was a joke, and frankly, I won't miss them when they're gone. I just wished that they had pulled the plug sooner instead of throwing a wrench into the league's plans/schedule. I guess I can stop waiting for my season tickets to show up anytime soon. Back to the printer's in 2 out of 3 years. Who picks up that cost? Or is it just an unwritten rule in USL that you hold off on printing your tickets until a week before the season kicks off?
RailHawks announce Manchester City and Bolton Wanders veteran defender Paul Ritchie has joined the squad. http://trisoccerfan.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=1305 WOW! Talk about experience in the defense with Romero and Ritchie.
The signing of a CB with Ritchie's quality puts Stokes' release in perspective. Makes me wonder if another keeper signing is coming soon.
I think there will be another keeper. With Martin's ties we are probably looking at a guy with European experience. It is just a hunch, but it will be a guy like Ritchie which gives us another upgrade on this already improving roster. CONCACAF Champions League here we come.
CONCACAF Champions League? Remember we have to win the US Open Cup. For Montreal, Vancouver, and Puerto Rico it's much easier. I'm still a little sad about Stokes, I wonder if he'll go anywhere else or if he won't play this year. I know he was in grad school at UNC last year, but I don't know if he finished it or not. Seemed to me playing with the RailHawks made sense geographically for him.
On the other hand, I like the fact that Rennie is not limiting the players that make "geographic sense" to the team (i.e., they might have been less expensive due to their preference to live here) but instead is reaching out to a broader pool of players to establish the team. I will certainly miss Stokes and McC, but am also confident that they are being replaced by players that are as good if not better.
Oh yeah without a doubt, it's one of those changes that has to happen for the better of the team. I can't help but be a little sad though, hopefully he'll play somewhere else this summer, that and I can ref him again in Intramurals. I need to find an excuse to card a pro player ;-).
Beach Trip! RailHawks to play Wilmington away in a friendly on Tuesday, April 14th at 7pm http://wilmingtonhammerheads.com/home/308076.html
Might have stumbled on another new signing... Saw this press release about members of the team being at the RBC Center for the 'Canes game on March 9... RailHawks Visit Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center Monday, March 9 Those listed as being in attendance are Jack Stewart, Brian Plotkin, and Nate Norman. So I'm guessing we'll see Norman's name announced sometime soon? Nate Norman Bio from MLS combine Also, they now have shirt numbers for everyone listed on the roster page at the team site.