The Carolina RailHawks have announced today the signing of 3 more players to the 2007 inaugural season roster. Coach Scott Schweitzer will be turning to two-time teammate and 2006 USL-1 All-Star defender Frank Sanfilippo to steady his back line while adding former Richmond Kicker McColm Cephas and former Norwegian youth international Rune Hagen to his attacking options.

Sanfilippo joins the RailHawks after a spectacular season with Rochester which saw him named to the 2006 USL-1 All-Star team. The 2003 graduate of San Jose State University was drafted in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by his hometown club. He transferred to Syracuse in 2004 where he played alongside his new head coach before making the transfer along with Schweitzer to Rochester in 2005. When Schweitzer retired from play at the beginning of the 2006 season, it was Sanfilippo that Rhinos' coach Laurie Calloway called upon to be a steadying force in the Rhinos defense and mentor a young Rhinos backline, who was decimated from the previous years' retirements, transfers, and injuries. Frank was equal to the task and helped lead the Rhinos all the way to the 2006 USL Championship match where they fell just short of winning their 4th USL title.

Also joining Sanfilippo in Carolina for the 2007 season will be McColm Cephas. The Liberian international spent the 2006 season on loan to the Virginia Beach Mariners, where he appeared in 12 matches for the Mariners. Prior to that, Cephas played two seasons for the Richmond Kickers while they were in the USL First Division. The Monrovia, Liberia native led Richmond in scoring in his first year for the Kickers, scoring 12 goals and being named a finalist for USL-1 Rookie of the Year honors.

The RailHawks have also confirmed the signing of Norwegian midfielder Rune "Elvis" Hagen. As we reported here about 6 weeks ago, Hagen is set to join the RailHawks on a free transfer from Greek side GS Ergotelis.

From the surely we saw that coming file...Mia Hamm has been voted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility, receiving a record number of votes.

Hamm, who helped lead the University of North Carolina to four NCAA championships, was chosen in a landslide, named on 137 of 141 ballots for 97.2 percent of the vote -- both records. The previous highest percentage belonged to Michelle Akers, who was elected with 95.8 percent in 2005.

Former USWNT member and Hamm teammate Julie Foudy also has been elected to the Hall of Fame on this year's ballot.

Total vote tallies from the 2007 election are available here. I am very disappointed to see that Joe-Max Moore was not inducted into the Hall of Fame. For me, Moore was one of the most influential and inspirational US National Team players of the formative years of my interest in the US squad.

Ownership groups representing franchises in six major U.S. cities have signed letters of intent to become charter members of the Women’s Soccer Initiative, Inc.’s effort to launch a new professional women’s soccer league. WSII CEO Tonya Antonucci announced the signings today and said the league anticipates a Spring 2008 launch, timed to capitalize on interest built during the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China in September.

The six announced charter teams will be led by the following investors:

• AEG:Greater Los Angeles, CA
  
• John Hendricks, Freedom Soccer LLC: Washington D.C.
  
• Jeff Cooper, St. Louis United Soccer LLC: St. Louis, MO
  
• Soccer Initiative, LLC: TBD, pending its final decision to select a market
  
• Jack Hanks and Brent Coralli, Dallas Franchise Group: Greater Dallas area, TX
  
• WGLSI, LLC and an additional investor TBD: Chicago and Bridgeview, IL
  

The league is three-quarters of the way to reaching its goal of 8 charter teams and has plans for expansion in 2009. RailHawks owner Chris Economides has confirmed that he is still interested in pursuing the return of top flight women's soccer to SAS Soccer Park. "We're still in ongoing talks with (Antonucci)," Economides says, "What we're looking for is a possible partner in the whole venture ... We're hoping that through this announcement, somebody will step forward."

The league being set up by WSII is not the only option for luring women's soccer back to the Triangle, Economides says. He is also in contact with the United Soccer League's W-League, currently the top North American women's soccer league, about establishing a Cary expansion franchise.

"Obviously, having a franchise within the USL would be a no-brainer," Economides says. "One form or the other, we are going to have women's soccer at SAS Soccer Park."

Although there has been no official announcement from either the league or FSC, it appears that USL-1 will be returning to Fox Soccer Channel on Friday nights at 8pm Eastern this season. A quick look at the long-range schedules posted on Fox Soccer Channel's website confirms a full-slate of USL games beginning opening weekend, April 20th, with Charleston hosting Minnesota live from Blackbaud stadium.

The RailHawks will make their first appearance on America's Soccer Channel Friday, May 18th when they travel to Virginia Beach to take on the Mariners. While schedules beyond June 1st have yet to be posted on FSC's site, based on previously published fixture dates and start times, it appears that Carolina's June 15th home fixture against Seattle, away match at Rochester on July 6, and August 3 home tie with fellow expansion franchise the California Victory will also be televised on FSC.

So far, the USL on FSC schedule is shaping up as follows (all times EDT):

• Charleston-Minnesota, 8 p.m., 4/20
  
• Atlanta-Minnesota, 8 p.m., 4/27
  
• Rochester-Vancouver, 8 p.m., 5/4
  
• Portland-Seattle, 11 p.m., 5/11
  
• Virginia Beach-Carolina, 8 p.m., 5/18
  
• Montreal-Miami, 8 p.m., 5/25
  
• Montreal-Vancouver, 8 p.m., 6/1
  

The defending ACC champion Duke Blue Devils have announced their 2007 spring exhibition schedule which will be highlighted by a home match against new USL-1 franchise Carolina RailHawks FC and an away date against MLS's Red Bull New York.

The full spring schedule is as follows:

• Mar 4, 11am v. Elon (Greensboro, NC)
  
• Mar 4, 2pm v. Appalachian State (Greensboro, NC)
  
• Mar 25, 1pm v. Red Bull New York (Charleston, SC)
  
• Mar 30, 7pm v. Wake Forest (Winston-Salem, NC)
  
• Apr 5, 5pm v. NC State (Durham, NC)
  
• Apr 13, 7pm v. Carolina RailHawks FC (Durham, NC)
  
• Apr 14, 10am v. Duke Alumni (Durham, NC)
  

USL President Francisco Marcos, shown at left with Zinho following last year's USL-1 All-Star game at SAS Soccer Park, has been named the fifth-ever recipient of the prestigious US Soccer Werner Fricker Builder Award, which is presented annually to an individual who has worked tirelessly in furthering the interest of the sport of soccer, without regard to personal recognition or advancement. The award was created in 2002 and is the greatest recognition bestowed by US Soccer on its membership.

The award is designed to honor those who have created or fostered programs that will outlast their own active involvement in the sport and that establish a lasting legacy in the history and structure of soccer in the United States.

Marcos’ impact on the game began early on as a student at Hartwick College under the tutelage of Al Miller. While still in school he started the Empire State Soccer League and launched the magazine Soccer Monthly, which would go on to become the official magazine of the US Soccer Federation. Shortly after graduating in 1968 he founded the first American company to develop soccer tours abroad for teams in the United States.

Our second in the Meet the RailHawks series of Underground podcasts catches up with former MLS #1 draft pick Chris Carrieri after a recent training session with some of the kids he's been working with at Next Level Academy over in Morrisville. Chris tells us a little bit about his career and his desire to return to play in the Triangle where he had such a special run with the Tar Heels the 3 years he played collegiately in the area.

United Soccer Leagues and Turner Broadcasting have announced today the launch of USL Live, a web-based broadband video channel which will broadcast matches from each of the 13 USL First Division teams in 2007. The deal covers all matches which are not broadcast on a national television or local cable TV outlet.

Turner Broadcasting is the same company that is behind ACC Select, which did an excellent job of covering both Men's and Women's ACC Soccer this past season. Turner also provides video streaming services for CNN.com, NASCAR.com, PGATour.com and PGA.com.

Matches will be broadcast live, and archived for viewing on-demand. Subscriptions to the service will be available on a monthly basis as well as on a pay-per-event option. Pricing details have not yet been announced, but for reference, a monthly pass for ACC Select was regularly priced at $9.99 but they are still offering introductory rates of $5.99 a month. A single event pass for ACC Select was $3.99 during the past season.

Triangle Soccer Fanatics is pleased to announce that we have teamed up with Premier Soccer in order to help soccer fans in the Triangle build one of the preeminent soccer supporters clubs in the United States.

Premier Soccer has been supporting players in the Triangle for the past 5 years by supplying a large selection of quality soccer gear at competitive prices through their stores in both Raleigh and Cary. Now Premier Soccer owners Bill and Carter Hanckel have shown their support for local soccer fans by becoming the exclusive retail partner of Triangle Soccer Fanatics.

Through the partnership, premium members of Triangle Soccer Fanatics will receive a free Carolina RailHawks supporters scarf (a $20 value) as well as a coupon good for 15% off RailHawks merchandise when used in either of Premier Soccer's Triangle-area store locations. Premier Soccer, the exclusive Soccer Shop for Carolina RailHawks merchandise , will also offer door prizes, such as jerseys, shirts, caps, and balls at various Triangle Soccer Fanatics events throughout the season.

"We're not just running a store here at Premier Soccer. The owners and our staff are all players, coaches, referees, and fans too. We are pleased that through this partnership we can continue to foster the growth of the sport we love right here in the Triangle," said Bill Hanckel, principal owner of Premier Soccer.

Jarrett Campbell, founder of Triangle Soccer Fanatics said, "The key to our developing the type of supporters club that can become a model to other fan clubs, both in the stands, and in the community, is strong partnerships with organizations that share our vision and our passion for soccer. I'm thrilled that Premier Soccer has agreed to help us grow the club towards our vision with their support."

For more information on Premier Soccer, please visit their website at http://www.premier-nc.com.

To learn how to join Triangle Soccer Fanatics and take advantage of these great new membership benefits provided courtesy of Premier Soccer, please visit our membership page at http://trisoccerfan.com/index.php?itemid=27.

It's been the "off season" here for American soccer for a few months but all that changes today (Wed 2/21) as two MLS teams kick off their CONCACAF Champions Cup campaigns and a little closer to home, two fierce rivals meet for perhaps the last time.

MLS Cup Champions Houston Dynamo travel to Costa Rica to square off against Puntarenas at 2:30pm EST live on Fox Soccer Channel. Later, at 9pm EST, MLS Supporters Shield holders DC United try to keep MLS's all-time unbeaten record against Honduran sides alive as they begin their Champions Cup play away at Olimpia, also live on Fox Soccer Channel.

Back in the Triangle, youth season gets underway for the '88 Triangle FC Navy Boys as they kick off their last season before graduation against cross-town rivals CASL Elite. Barring a State Cup matchup later this season, the match set for 7:30pm at Southeast Raleigh High School's football stadium will be the last time this group of our local top soccer talent, who have been matching up against each other for years, meets before they disperse to play for the various universities to which most have committed to play next year.

Of course, US soccer is not the only game in play on Wednesday. There is also a full slate of Champions League matches in Europe headlined by the first leg of the Barcelona v. Liverpool clash live on Setanta at 2:30pm EST and same-day delayed on ESPN Classic at 5pm EST.

The Carolina RailHawks have officially announced the signing of former Ireland Youth International Goalkeeper John O'Hara as well as their two USL College Draft picks Sola Abolaji and Demetrius Donald.

In a press release issued today, the RailHawks confirmed the news we reported here back in November that Sligo Rovers keeper and George Mason University graduate O'Hara would be the first netminder for the new club. The release also states that the players taken first in each round of the USL draft have committed ink to paper to join the RailHawks inaugural side.

DC United defender David Stokes, whose contract expired at the end of the 2006 season, is leaving United's training camp without a contract for the new season.

Stokes, a Northern Virginia native who was the fifth overall pick in the 2003 draft from University of North Carolina, played in 24 regular season games for DC United and made seven starts in four seasons. During his time in Chapel Hill, Stokes was a member of UNC's 2001 National Championship team and featured with the Raleigh Elite PDL team as well.

Current rumors have Stokes pursuing a USL contract, with the Carolina RailHawks among the list of probable landing spots for the former MLS defender.

Just in time for those stocking up on gear for the Spring season, Premier Soccer has announced that they have launched a frequent buyer program for their repeat customers.

Called the "Premier Soccer Club Card", the program has a one-time, lifetime membership fee of $25.00. In return, members receive 10% off all purchases from Premier Soccer. In addition, members will accrue points which will allow them to receive a $50 gift certificate for every $1,500 in merchandise purchased while a member of the program. Premier Soccer also plans to run special promotional offers throughout the year that will be reserved for their Club Card members only.

You can purchase a Premier Soccer club card at either the Cary or Raleigh store, or online through the Premier Soccer website.

RailHawks coach Scott Schweitzer is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to seeking players to fill out his inaugural season side. According to Kenya's NationMedia.com, coach Schweitzer has invited twenty-one year-old Kenyan James Omollo Odhiambo to the RailHawks combine March 15-17 for a trial.

In a letter to Odhiambo’s club, through the American embassy in Nairobi, Schweitzer requested Odhiambo be released for a trial in the United States:

“Please allow James Omollo Odhiambo to travel to North Carolina, USA in order to participate in our upcoming tryouts for the Carolina RailHawks professional football club. Our club has interest in signing this player for our 2007 league season,” said Schweitzer of the Nairobi-based player

Ironically, Odhiambo is presently attached to a youth club in Nairobi which goes by the exact same moniker as Raleigh's largest youth club -- the Capital Area Soccer League. The Kenyan CASL club director Enouce Ndeche said the club was willing to release the player for trials and enter into transfer agreement with the Carolina based club should a contract be offered.

New MLS draftees Michael Harrington (Kansas City) and Ben Hunter (Columbus) will return to the Tar Heel state next month for pre-season training as their two MLS sides will be training at Wake Forest University for a few days in late March. The Columbus Crew will play the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Wednesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at Spry Stadium. Columbus will then take on Kansas City on Saturday, March 31, at 7 p.m. to cap the week off, also at Spry.

Tickets for the Wake Forest-Columbus match will cost normal game day prices. General admission will be $6, while students, faculty and staff will be admitted free of charge with a valid Wake Forest ID card.

Tickets for the Crew-Wizards game will be $10, with all seats general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at the Wake Forest ticket website or by calling the Wake Forest ticket office at (336) 758-DEAC (3322).

Along with the games, the Crew will host a youth clinic and autograph session for area kids on March 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Spry Stadium practice fields. The price of $25 will register the child for the two-hour camp and include a game ticket to the Crew-Wizards match. Additionally, the first 100 kids to register for the clinic will recieve a Columbus Crew soccer ball.

Former UNC Tar Heel Justin Hughes has been called into the U23 men's national team training camp to replace Tally Hall, who will depart for his new Danish Superligen team Esjberg FB before the team tours Japan.

Hughes joins former teammates Michael Harrington and Jamie Watson in Carson for camp and a two game tour of Japan.

Last May, Hughes had a chance to train with the full national team as he served as a guest goalkeeper for Bruce Arena's squad prior to Kasey Keller joining the team here in Cary prior to last summer's World Cup.

Duke University Women’s Soccer Head Coach Robbie Church announced the addition of eight commitments for the 2007 campaign on Monday. Included in the 8 future Blue Devils are two local Durham players -- Durham Academy Midfielder/Forward Kendall Bradley and Riverside High School's Madeline McEwen.

Coach Church held high praise for both of his new local recruits:

"I had the privilege of seeing Madeline play over the years and the one thing we like about her is that she’s improved every year. We think that her best soccer is ahead of her. She is another player who is good in the air and with the ball at her feet. She is a versatile player that can play anywhere on the field. She can play up front, in the midfield and in the back. We’re excited for her to join our program.

Kendall is someone else we’re excited about. The thing that you notice about Kendall right off is her extremely hard work rate, which is unbelievable. She works extremely hard and is a great competitor. Kendall hates to lose and that is her biggest strength. If it’s in training or in games, she is a very versatile player. We see her playing up front and in the midfield for us."

>> See GoDuke.com for a full list of 2007 Duke Women's Soccer signings.

Definitely a sending off offense...from WRAL.com:

A man was hospitalized Sunday after a stabbing at Cary's SAS soccer complex.

Police said one man pulled out a knife and cut another man on the face during a soccer match. It was unclear if two men were players or spectators.

The victim was taken to WakeMed with minor lacerations. One man was arrested after the altercation. Police have not released the names of the people involved.

Switching hats after the USA beat Mexico 2-0 on Wednesday, US men's national team and U23 national team coach Bob Bradley has announced his roster for the U23 training camp and upcoming 2 game tour of Japan. Among the 20 players that Bradley has invited to camp is recent UNC senior Michael Harrington, who returns to men's national team setup after being part of the U17 national team.

Harrington joins former UNC teammate Jamie Watson as well as former Wake Forest rivals Ryan Solle and Julian Valentin as the group will gather Feb. 9 in Carson at the Home Depot Center and train for a week before departing on Feb. 16 for Japan. The U-23s will play two matches, against the Japan Under-22 Men’s National Team on Feb. 21 and a Japanese club team two days later.

The training camp marks the first time the U23 national team has convened since the team failed to advance from the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2004.

Bill Fetty is a regular columnist for USLFans.com. In this week's column, Fetty takes a look at the Cary's newest entry in USL-1 and surveys the RailHawks' chances of having an impact in USL in their first season.

If there's one thing that is certain, as the Carolina Railhawks prepare to take up the fight in the USL D1 in 2007, it is that they are in an envious position. The support in Cary looks promising, the stadium is an absolute asset and there is ownership with a track record backing them up. Being in one of the richest areas for college soccer players should also prove valuable when it comes to recruiting them to the professional ranks before or after graduation.

A lot of people, hopefully the local press will not be among them, will bring up the past efforts in the Triangle area of North Carolina to dampen spirits as this club gear up for 2007. However, there's a lot more to be optimistic about this time around.

>> Read the entire article at USLFans.com

My new North Carolina license plate arrived today. If you see me cruising around the Triangle in "RailHawk One" (my green and white Mini Cooper S), honk and give me a thumbs up!

If you'd like to get your own fan-oriented vanity plate, you can order them directly from the NCDOT DMV website.

Philip Kutsu, a Ghana national who played professionally with Hearts of Oak, one of the pre-eminent footballing clubs in Ghana, is the latest player to join the RailHawks roster.

Although the team has made no official announcement about the player signing, it would seem that this article about a recent photo shoot for Cary Magazine confirms that Kutsu has been offered a contract after he impressed coach Schweitzer at the RailHawks open tryout last December.

Kutsu, who had retired from professional soccer to focus on coaching soccer, was living in Virginia when his wife and best friend encouraged him to take a shot and tryout with the RailHawks. Apparently, Kutsu's performance stood out enough from the approximately 150 other participants that the RailHawks have forgone the invitation to the Spring combine and offered Kutsu a contract outright.

It's time once again for one of Eurosport's (Soccer.com) famed soccer and lacrosse warehouse clearance yard sales. Typically merchandise at these sales is marked down 40% or more off of the retail price. Here are some examples of past "best buys" that could be had at a sale like this.

This edition of the yard sale runs Saturday, 2/10 from 9am - 5pm and Sunday, 2/11 from 9am - 5pm. The sale is located at the Eurosport Warehouse in Hillsborough. Click here for a copy of the information mailer and here for a Google Map and driving directions to the location.

Although final artistic details are yet to be set in stone, it has been revealed that the Carolina RailHawks plan to wear an orange kit for home fixtures, and blue when they play away. TSF can also now confirm that a special white "change strip" is under consideration for special events. More shirt details should be forthcoming a few weeks before the season starts.

Note: The kits pictured above are visual approximations and do not necessarily represent color shades or actual design.

The Capital Area Soccer League recently issued an informal annual report which you can download and read in its entirety from their website. In the last few months I've seem some wildly ranging numbers (20,000 really?) in several articles on the size of CASL and how many players they serve. I thought it was interesting to find the precise numbers from the source:

• CASL was started as an 8 team club in 1974
  
• CASL now provides playing opportunities for over 9,000 players at all levels
  
• 5,800 of those players are in the recreational programs
  
• 2,100 play at the challenge level
  
• 1,100 playing classic or YTS level
  

I'd be curious to know if CASL was at one time a larger presence in this community and if Triangle Futbol Club, Carolina Goldstar, Triangle United, TASL, Y-leagues, city leagues, etc. have fractionated their player base over the last few years or if the soccer playing population has grown at such a fast pace in this area that the rising tide is lifting all the boats. Anyone know?

With most of the United States abuzz about the Super Bowl, some American footballers were making a little history of their own in London on Saturday.

When Clint Dempsey entered as a second half sub for Fulham against Newcastle today, he joined Brian McBride, Carlos Bocanegra, and Oguchi Onyewu in the contest as the 4th American field player in the English Premier League match. And what's more, every one of the Americans figured prominently in the match.

Gooch almost started the scoring just before halftime, but was denied a sure goal by a last gasp effort from Bocanegra. Then in the second half, McBride scored the game winning goal just before Dempsey came on and showed us some of his moves in the first few seconds he was on the pitch. In a dream day for American soccer fans, the least heralded of the 4 yanks, Bocanegra, took the prize for American of the Match (and surely gave Heidar Helguson a run for MOTM honors too) for one his best two-way performances in a Fulham shirt. Bocanegra who continually squelched the Newcastle attack was also a regular target for Fulham on set pieces, winning several in the air and just missing a goal from a great diving header in the second half.

After missing out on his first chance at a senior national team cap when he did not make the matchday roster for the USA v. Denmark match last month, it appears that former Tar Heel Eddie Robinson has played his way into Bob Bradley's side for the USA v. Mexico match during training camp the last two weeks.

The Houston Dynamo defender joins a mix of MLS and international stars which will square off against El Tri in Phoenix next Wednesday night at 9pm EST on ESPN2 (yes, directly opposite the UNC v. Duke basketball game on ESPN).

The full 20-man roster is available at ussoccer.com.

Getting all psyched up for the USA v. Mexico game next Wednesday, this is our best impression of a Triangle Soccer (Snow) Fanatic...