The Carolina RailHawks (9W-7T-8L, 34 pts.) managed to clinch a spot for the playoffs with ties by FC Edmonton and Atlanta earlier in the evening. The RailHawks fell to the San Antonio Scorpions (13W-7T-5L, 46 pts.) 1-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park in a match that was delayed two hours due to weather.  A late goal by Jeff Cuningham, the MLS´s all-time leading scorer, proved to be all the Scorpions would need. Prior to the match over 600 fans enjoyed the RailHawks Homebrew Soktoberfest.

The match kickoff was delayed two hours due to a storm that hit the Triangle with lightning and torrential rainfall. When conditions improved, both teams took some time to find their rhythm with only one shot on goal for the RailHawks.

“Tonight’s result was disappointing.  We didn’t play the way we had the last three matches,” said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke.  “Now we must refocus and turn our attention to our remaining four games and prepare for playoffs.”

After halftime the RailHawks began to control the tempo of the game and create dangerous chances on the Scorpions goal. The Scorpions broke through in the 85th minute when Cunningham snuck a shot past RailHawks goalkeeper Ray Burse from the top of the box.

With a spot in the playoffs secured, the RailHawks must now focus on the four remaining games of the season as they look to secure a home game for the playoffs. The RailHawks will be on the road with three games in a week before returning to WakeMed Soccer Park before the regular season finale on Saturday, September 22nd at 7:00 PM. The RailHawks will first travel to Canada to take on FC Edmonton on Wednesday, September 12th at 9:10 PM ET. On Sunday, September 16th, the RailHawks will face the Scorpions in San Antonio at 7:15 PM ET. At lastly, on Wednesday, September 19th at 7:30 PM the RailHawks will take on the Rowdies in Tampa Bay. All matches will be shown live at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com/live.

LINEUPS

CAR: GK Burse, D Shields (Warzycha, 73), D Stockley, D King, D Low (c), M Zimmerman, M Lowery, M Franks, M Palacio (Shipalane, 72), F Schilawski, F Shriver (Da Luz, 85)

SAS: GK Sattler, D Wagner, D Cochrane (Kling, 63), D Janicki, D Knight, M Denissen, M Harmse, M Ramirez, M Greenfield (Soto, 46), F Campos, F Bayona (Cunningham, 81)

GOALS

CAR:

SAS: Cunningham (Ramirez), 85;

CAUTIONS

CAR: Shipalane, 90;

SAS: Harmse, 35;

SHOTS

CAR: 12

SAS: 13

SAVES

CAR: 2

SAS: 1