In 2009, the Carolina RailHawks enjoyed the best regular season in club history. In 2010, the RailHawks enjoyed their best postseason in club history - reaching the championship finals before falling 3-1 on aggregate to Puerto Rico. The natural progression suggests then that in 2011, the RailHawks will put them together and enjoy the best all-around season in the club's five-year history. "That's the goal," said Carolina coach Martin Rennie, now in his third season on the RailHawks' bench. "We want to win the regular-season title like we did last season, and from there get to the championship final and win it. I think that's possible. Everybody probably has that goal at this point in time. We came close last season, and I think we can be better this season once we get going." The RailHawks begin that journey on Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park with the opening of the inaugural NASL season. The Railhawks will face Puerto Rico in a re-match of last year's league championship, which Puerto Rico won 3-1 on aggregate, at 7 p.m. The RailHawks return with nine players from last season's runner-up and 13 new players. Defender Brad Rusin is back for his third season at Carolina, and he will wear the captain's armband in 2011. Other mainstays include defender Kupono Low, defender Devon McKenney, midfielder Matt Watson and midfielder Floyd Franks. The 13 new faces have widely varying backgrounds, but most bring to Carolina a bounty of experience. Midfielder Jonny Steele was the 2008 USL-1 MVP in Puerto Rico, leading the Islanders to the 2008 USL-1 Commissioner's Cup and to back-to-back CONCACAF Champions League berths. Defender John Krause was a key part of those two Islander squads as well, and he'll only bolster an already superb defense. Midfielder Chris Nurse was a part of the Islanders' 2010 championship team. Goalkeeper Brad Knighton, midfielder Nick Zimmerman and forward Pablo Campos spent the last several years in Major League Soccer. Forward Kithson Bain led the Grenada National Team to the Carribean Cup semifinals and shared the tournament's Golden Boot honors this past winter. And midfielder Stephen Glass comes to the U.S. after playing the last 15 years in England and Scotland. As the new parts blend with the existing ones, another number to keep an eye on is 50 - the number of club records the RailHawks have set and/or re-established during the last two seasons. "I think this is, potentially, the most talented group we've ever had," Rennie said. "But we've got to prove that over the next few weeks and months. We've got some good attacking players and quality defenders and we've added to the squad that was already quite good. I'm excited about working with them for sure." RUSIN OUT Brad Rusin was named the RailHawks captain during the offseason, but he'll have to wait one more week before he gets to wear the armband. Rusin is suspended for Saturday's season opener due to the red card he was given in the 88th minute of the second leg of the championship series last season. CHAMPIONSHIP REDUX The RailHawks and Islanders met in the postseason for the first time in last season's championship series. In the first leg in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the Islanders prevailed 2-0 on a fourth-minute goal by Sandy Gbandi and a 20th-minute goal from Jonathan Fana. In the return leg at WakeMed Soccer Park, Gbandi struck again early, this time in the seventh minute to put the RailHawks down 3-0 on aggregate. Tom Heinemann equalized for Carolina three minutes later. Despite firing 18 shots, but the three-goal deficit ultimately proved too large a hole for the RailHawks to climb out of. SERIES HISTORY Saturday's match will be the 12th regular-season meeting between Carolina and Puerto Rico, which holds a 7-3-1 advantage in the all-time series. After going winless (0-6-1) in the series' first seven meetings, Carolina got its first win on Sept. 12, 2009, when the RailHawks defeated Puerto Rico 2-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park. That win touched off a three-match winning streak against the Islanders, including a 2-0 win in Bayomon, Puerto Rico last May - the RailHawks' first-ever win at Juan Roman Loubriel Stadium. RAILHAWKS PRESEASON The RailHawks wrapped up a solid preseason last weekend with a 1-0 win over the Wilmington Hammerheads. Carolina went 4-1-2 during the preseason, outscoring the opposition 7-3 and posting four shutouts. NO FOOLING AROUND IN APRIL The RailHawks are 4-1-1 in the month April during the last two seasons. They've outscored their opponents 6-2 during that period and posted four shutouts. All-time, Carolina is 5-1-4 during the season's opening month. FORMER ISLANDERS At Thursday's press luncheon, Puerto Rico coach Colin Clarke noted that the number of former Islanders now playing for the RailHawks added another wrinkle to Saturday's match. Three former Islanders who were all crucial to their success since Clarke assumed the reigns of the team in 2007 are now with the RailHawks: midfielders Jonny Steele and Chris Nurse and defender John Krause. Steele was the 2008 USL-1 MVP with two goals and 11 assists while he and Krause led the Islanders to their first piece of silverware, the 2008 Commissioner's Cup. The pair also led Puerto Rico to back-to-back CONCACAF Champions League berths, including a 2009 run to the semifinals. Nurse was a vital part of last year's USSF D-2 championship squad. COUNT ON GOALS The RailHawks have scored 88 goals during the last two seasons, so it's a safe bet they'll put one in the back of the net on Saturday. How safe' The RailHawks have been shut out only five times in their last 30 home matches. They closed the 2010 season (including playoffs) by scoring 12 goals in their final four matches at WakeMed Soccer park, while posting a 4-0-1 record during that span. RAILHAWKS IN OPENERS The RailHawks are undefeated in season openers in club history, posting a 2-0-2 mark. Under Martin Rennie, they are 2-0-0. The RailHawks defeated Minnesota 2-1 in Rennie's RailHawk debut in 2009 on goals from Mark Schulte and Gavin Glinton. Last season, they shut out St. Louis 2-0 thanks to a pair of first-half goals by Etienne Barbara. The RailHawks are also undefeated in home opener, posting a 3-0-1 mark. 2010 STATS LEADERS Appearances: Daniel Paladini (29) Starts: Floyd Franks (23) Minutes: Josh Gardner (2,038) Goals: Etienne Barbara (8) Assists: Josh Gardner (4) Shots: Daniel Paladini (58) Fouls: Amir Lowery (49) Saves: Eric Reed (69) NASL SCHEDULE - Week 1 Puerto Rico vs Carolina, 7 p.m. WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C. Montreal Impact vs FC Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Fla. NSC Minnesota @ Atlanta Silverbacks, 7:30 p.m. Atlanta Silverbacks Park, Atlanta, Ga. FC Edmonton at Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, 7:30 p.m. Lockhart Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. NEXT UP The RailHawks continue their three-match, season-opening homestand on Saturday, April 16, when they meet the Montreal Impact at 7 p.m. The meeting will be another 2010 playoff rematch. Last season, Carolina eliminated Montreal 2-1 on aggregate after Tom Heinemann's 89th-minute goal in the second leg at WakeMed Soccer Park.
