Match at WakeMed Soccer Park Presented by DNJ Mortgage also on Fox Soccer Channel

First 2,000 Fans Receive Limited Edition Chris McClellan Player Card Courtesy of DNJ Mortgage

Cary, NC (Thursday, June 26th, 2008) – The Carolina RailHawks (3-4-5, 14 pts.) will battle third place Portland Timbers (4-4-6, 18 pts.) on Friday June 27th at WakeMed Soccer Park at 8:00 PM in the first Carolina Railhawks-Fox Soccer Channel nationally televised match of the season. The match is presented by DNJ Mortgage and the first 2,000 fans will receive a limited edition Chris McClellan player card courtesy of the "Original Home of the No Closing Cost Mortgage". Tickets ($10, $15 and $20) are available at the LGFCU Box Office, by calling 919-859-KICK (5425), at all Ticketmaster outlets and by visiting www.carolinarailhawks.com.

“This will be a very hard game for us,” said RailHawks head coach Scott Schweitzer. “Portland has a proven system that has not changed in many years. Their stifling defense will be well rested and we will have to watch their counterattacks. It will be a phenomenal game.”

The RailHawks are still undefeated at home and enter the contest after defeating USL Second Division Real Maryland 1-0 in the second round of the US Open Cup last Tuesday night with a late game penalty kick by midfielder Kupono Low. Carolina will now host Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards with 2006 US World Cup defender Jimmy Conrad and former UNC standout Kerry Zavagnin, in the third round of the tournament on Tuesday July, 1st at 7:30 PM at WakeMed Soccer Park.

“We’ve had an extended period of time between games,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers head coach and general manager. “The break has been good as we have given a few players a chance to bounce back from their injuries. The mood in training has been positive and the guys are aware of the potential problems Carolina could cause us. They are a quality team and it should be an entertaining game.”

The Portland Timbers are currently tied for third place in the USL-1 table and return to action after a 12 day break. They are led by Japanese International forward Takayuki Suzuki and former New England Revolution midfielder Arsene Oka. The Timbers face the weekend road trip without the services of midfielder Tom Poltl, who is serving the first of a three-match, league-imposed suspension as well as defender Scot Thompson who is also suspended.

The RailHawks continue their home-stand on Tuesday, July 1st in the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as they host the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7:30 PM. The RailHawks Women host the Hampton Roads Piranhas on Saturday June 28th at 7:30 PM. Then on Wednesday July 3rd the Railhawks will host the second doubleheader of the season as the RailHawks Women take on the Charlotte Lady Eagles at 4:00 PM and the RailHawks Men host the Seattle Sounders at 8:00 PM. For this event the RailHawks organization is offering a special 4 for $44 ticket where fans can enjoy four tickets to both games, four hotdogs, four drinks and a spectacular fireworks display after the Seattle match (a $124 value) for only $44. This special offer is only available at the LGFCU Box Office by calling 919-859-KICK (5425).
Primary Contacts:
Marco Rosa, Public Relations Director Carolina RailHawks: (919) 859-5425 x8146 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Schedule of Events
Doors open at 6:30 PM
First 2,000 fans receive a Limited Edition Chris McClellan card courtesy of DNJ Mortgage
Inflatables and Rock Climbing wall for the kids on the East Concourse
Kids human tunnel to greet the starting lineup (meet at 7:00 PM at the Northwest corner of the field)
Kickoff at 8:00 PM

TV Time
This is the first Carolina RailHawks match to be broadcast nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and Fans will not want to miss the opportunity of being seen on television. Below are all the Fox Soccer Channel televised games for the RailHawk this season:

• June 27th VS Portland
• August 1st VS Vancouver
• August 15th VS Miami
• September 19th VS Charleston

All matches are at 8:00 PM

Head to Head
The RailHawks overall record against the Timbers is 1-0-1 having tied in Portland and lost here at WakeMed Stadium late in the season. The RailHawks will have to watch out for forward Chris Brown’s speed as he has already recorded four goals this season.

US Open Cup Run
The RailHawks are still in the run for the US Open Cup and host Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards on Tuesday July 1st at 7:30 PM at WakeMed Soccer Park in the third round of the tournament. The Wizards bring a lot of talent and experience to Cary with 2006 US World Cup defender Jimmy Conrad, former UNC standouts Kerry Zavagnin and Michael Harrington

Trading Card Giveaway
The Carolina RailHawks will hand out the first of five Limited Edition player cards on Friday night to the first 2,000 fans who come to the game. Here are all the dates for the card giveaway

• June 27th - Chris McClellan
• July 18th - Martin Nuñez
• August 8th - Matt Watson
• August 30th - Dan Antoniuk
• September 14th - Swoops

4th of July Celebration Doubleheader
On Thursday July 3rd the Carolina RailHawks will host a special Independence Day Doubleheader celebration. At 4:00 PM the RailHawks Women host the Charlotte Lady Eagles and at 8:00 PM the RailHawks men host the Seattle Sounders. There will be plenty of events surrounding the two matches including a BBQ and Live DJ in the Tecate Sports Zone, the Red Bull Freestyle Jugglers and culminating in a spectacular fireworks display after the night match. For this event the RailHawks organization is offering a special 4 for $44 ticket where fans can enjoy four tickets to both games, four hotdogs, four drinks and a spectacular fireworks display after the Seattle match (a $124 value) for only $44. This special offer is only available at the LGFCU Box Office by calling 919-859-KICK (5425).