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In a reverse of last weekend’s fixture, the Carolina RailHawks take on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Wake Med SoccerPark.  The two teams have been trading places in the standings for two weeks, and are once again separated by just a single point in the standings.

Last weekend the RailHawks had their four-match-unbeaten streak snatched up by the Strikers at Lockhart Stadium. Carolina returned to winning ways against the Atlanta Silverbacks in midweek action, running out 2-1 winners to spoil Eric Wynalda’s professional coaching debut for the Silverbacks. Nick Zimmerman continued his fine form, scoring twice to become sole top-scorer in the NASL with nine strikes to his name.

After that Mark Anderson-inspired victory for the Strikers against the RailHawks last Saturday, the Strikers lost to rivals Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Andy Herron opened the scoring for Fort Lauderdale, but the Rowdies fought back through Mike Ambersley, Tsuyoshi Yoshitake, and Daniel Antoniuk to win the match 3-1.

Three points for the visiting Strikers would mean switching places in the standings with Carolina for the third match in a row. A win for the hosts would increase their gap over the Strikers to four points, and could move the side up to fourth in the standings.

Carolina RailHawks vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Saturday, July 7, 2012— 7:00 P.M. EDT

WakeMed Soccer Park

Cary, NC

Webcast: NASL on ustream

2012 Series:  Fort Lauderdale, 1-1-0, 4pts

2011 Series:  Tied, 2-0-2, 6pts  

                                                Carolina                               Fort Lauderdale

Head Coach                        Colin Clarke                        Daryl Shore                        

2012 Records                    5^th: 5-5-5, 20pts                 6^th: 5-4-6, 19pts                

Last Five Games                W W W L W                         L W L W L                                            

Goals Leader                     Nick Zimmerman (9)       Mark Anderson (7)         

Assists Leader                 Austin Da Luz (3),            Walter Restrepo (6)       

                                              Ty Shipalane (3)

QUICK FACTS

Carolina

• RailHawks midfielder Nick Zimmerman leads the league for goals scored, with nine goals.
• Carolina has picked up 15 points from the last six games, more than any other team in the same time frame.
• No team has scored more than the RailHawks this season, with 25 goals from fifteen games.

Fort Lauderdale

• The Strikers are yet to win a game on the road this season.
• Fort Lauderdale’s playmaker Walter Restrepo leads the league in assists with six.
• The Strikers have conceded more goals than any other team (24) except for the last-placed Silverbacks (32).