The Carolina RailHawks will field a U-23 team again in 2011.

Head coach Dewan Bader and assistant coaches Henry Gutierrez and Rich King will hold tryouts on May 4 and May 6 at WakeMed Soccer Park. Both evening’s tryouts will begin at 6 p.m. There is a $50 registration fee, interested players should e-mail Bader at dewan@carolinarailhawks.com.

The U-23 RailHawks will begin training on May 9, and their season will run through July 23. They will train two to three times per week at WakeMed Soccer Park and will play against regional professional teams and area amateur teams. They will also participate in the USASA U-23 regional tournament in June, with the opportunity to advance to the USASA National Cup finals in July.

With a U-23 team, the RailHawks will provide a challenging and educational environment for amateur players in their pursuit of a professional career while playing  an attractive and entertaining brand of soccer.

“The U-23 RailHawks team, led by Dewan Bader, is an integral part of our player identification and scouting program for the RailHawks pro team,” said RailHawks President Curt Johnson. “There are many talented amateur players in this area and seeing them in this training and playing environment gives us an advantage as we look to put a championship team on the field in 2011 and beyond.  Martin Rennie and I will be involved with this group regularly and look forward to finding the next young RailHawks star. “ 

Last season, the U-23 RailHawks played nine games, including five matches – with three wins – against professional teams.

In 2009 with the Cary Clarets, Bader and his staff went 9-4-3 and reached the semifinals of the PDL playoffs. In 2008, with the Cary RailHawks U-23, they went 7-6-3 in the PDL regular season, and they also defeated England’s Burnley FC, which went on to win promotion to the English Premier League later that season.

In addition to success on the field, Bader and his staff have demonstrated a keen eye for talent. They have seen nearly 20 former players move on to play professionally in the U.S. and abroad, including Olukorede Aiyegbusi (Sporking Kansas City/MLS), Darrius Barnes (New England Revolution/MLS), Corben Bone (Chicago Fire/MLS), Evan Brown (Seattle Sounders/MLS), Michael Callahan (Richmond Kickers/USL), Devon Carroll (Wilmington Hammerheads/USL), Mamadou Danso (Portland Timbers/MLS), Jordan Graye (DC United/MLS), Michael Grella (Leeds United/England), Cole Grossman (Columbus Crew/MLS), Tyler Lassiter (New York Red Bulls), Conor O’Brien (Blokhus FC/ Denmark), Ike Opara- (San Jose Earthquakes/MLS), Vince Petrasson (Harrisburg City Islanders/USL), Zack Schilawski (New England Revolution/MLS), Brian Shriver (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers/NASL) and Michael Videra (Chicago Fire/MLS).

For additional information, visit CarolinaRailHawks.com. Inquiries should be directed to Dewan Bader at dewan@carolinarailhawks.com.

2011 Schedule

5/14: RailHawks U-23 vs. U-17 U.S. National Team
5/18: RailHawks U-23 vs Richmond Kickers
6/5: RailHawks U-23 vs CASL Elite
6/10: RailHawks U-23 vs Clockwork Orange
6/16-6/19: U-23 Regionals
6/28: RailHawks U-23 vs Carolina RailHawks
7/15-7/17: U-23 Nationals
7/19: RailHawks U-23 vs Carolina RailHawks
7/23: RailHawks U-23 vs Knoxville Force