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Star
midfielder shares news with team mates at orientation
Cary,
N.C. (Monday, March 17, 2008) - It was a bittersweet orientation on Sunday
afternoon as most of the Carolina RailHawks descended on WakeMed Soccer Park to
kick off their sophomore season. President and General Manager Chris Economides,
alongside Coach Schweitzer and his staff, illustrated the plans for the 2008
season and the word Championship was uttered numerous times. Among the
RailHawks in attendance was midfielder Chris Carrieri who announced to his teammates that he would be retiring from professional soccer to pursue a career in
IT development.
“Last
year was a very special year for me professionally,” said Chris Carrieri. “I’ve
had the opportunity to work alongside a great team in a great facility with a
great staff. It definitely gives me some peace of mind to leave the game on
such a good note.”
Carrieri
had a stellar seven-year career that brought him many accolades and
professional satisfaction. While at UNC – Chapel Hill he was named ACC Rookie
of the Year. He was then drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001 as the
first overall pick but was traded to the Colorado Rapids right away. While at Colorado,
he set a rookie record by scoring 14 points in 14 games and the following year
he finished in a first-place tie for the leading
goal-scorer with 11 goals and five assists for 27 points. In 2002, he
scored a hat trick in the second half of a match against the Chicago Fire,
coming off the bench. In 2004, he went to the Rochester Rhinos of the A-League
and, in 2005, moved to Richmond where he helped the Kickers win the 2006 USL-2
Championship by scoring the winning goal in the championship match. Carrieri
was one of the first players to sign with the Carolina RailHawks in late 2006.
An integral piece of Scott Schweitzer’s inaugural squad, he was one of only two
RailHawks to play in every game of the team’s 2007 season, recording three
assists and 27 shots.
“It’s
very sad to lose a player of the caliber and character of Chris Carrieri,” said
RailHawks Head Coach Scott Schweitzer. “He is an important part of what we’ve
built here so far and will always be a member of our family. We will be playing
every game for him as we do for all our family members.”
Chris
Carrieri did not completely close the door behind him as he promised his teammates that he would come out to train with them from time to time and would be
at every game to cheer and support his extended family. The rest of the team
will begin training camp today in preparation for their match against the New
York Red Bulls on March 28th and their 2008 campaign for the USL-1
Championship, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the Southern Derby Cup. |
