Cary Clarets
Encyclopedia
Cary Clarets was an American soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina
, United States
. Founded in 2002, the team played in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.
During their final season the team played its home games at Middle Creek Park. The team's colors were claret (red) and white.
-based Capital Area Soccer League
(CASL). They finished their first competitive campaign second in the Mid-Atlantic Division behind Williamsburg Legacy
with an 11-7-0 record, and into the playoffs at the first attempt. They overcame Northeast Division champions Vermont Voltage
1-0 in the Conference Semifinals before falling to Cape Cod Crusaders in the Eastern Conference final, but it was still a promising debut for the new franchise. Raleigh even enjoyed a brief foray into the US Open Cup thanks to their positive early season form, unexpectedly knocking out D3 Pro League
side Carolina Dynamo
5-2 in the first round before losing 3-0 to A-League
stalwarts Richmond Kickers
in the second.
Elite finished third in the Mid Atlantic Division in 2003, with an 8-8-2 record, 17 points behind divisional champions Richmond Kickers Future
. The team began the season strongly, enjoying 3-0 victory over West Virginia Chaos
on the road and a 1-0 win at home over Chesapeake Dragons
in their opening two fixtures of the year; later, in mid-June, Elite rattled off three straight wins over West Virginia, Williamsburg Legacy
and Greenville Lions
which kept them in the hunt for the playoffs. Their early season form took them to the US Open Cup for the second straight year, where they beat USASA
amateur side D.S. United 4-1 in the first round, but lost 2-1 to Carolina Dynamo
in the second. Unfortunately, as the season wound down, Elite ran out of steam, slumping to three defeats in their final three games, and despite taking a 1-0 win over Greenville on the final day of the season, found themselves just out of the playoffs. Chris Norbet was Elite's top scorer, with 7 goals for the season, while John Izzo contributed 3 assists.
Elite suffered a dip in form in 2004, slipping slightly down the PDL Mid Atlantic Division table, and would eventually finish in fourth place behind divisional champs Carolina Dynamo
with a 7-9-2 record. The season actually started quite promisingly, with two wins and a tie in their first four regular season games, including a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Williamsburg Legacy
which saw Michael Harrington
score a 90th-minute winner from the penalty spot. However, following their 6-1 hammering at the hands of Chesapeake Dragons
, Elite's defense became uncharacteristically leaky; they were beaten 5-0 by Richmond Kickers Future
less than a week later, were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Charlotte Eagles
in mid-June, conceded seven goals in a one-sided game against Carolina Dynamo
, were hammered 4-0 on the road by West Virginia Chaos
on Independence Day, and were outplayed again by Carolina on the final day of the regular season, suffering a 5-1 loss. The limited highlights for Raleigh included the Michael Harrington
in the 4-1 win over Chesapeake in late May and the Stephen Bickford hat-trick in the 4-0 win over West Virginia in early June; beyond this, improvement was clearly required.
Improvement happened in 2005, as Elite enjoyed a much more productive and successful season, losing just four games all season. Raleigh were high-scoring entertainers throughout the year; they began their campaign with a comprehensive 4-1 thrashing of Carolina Dynamo
, and followed this up with four more wins in their next seven games, including a 4-1 win on the road over the Bradenton Academics
, and a 3-1 victory over Ajax Orlando Prospects
in which Aaron King
scored a hat trick. They were involved in a crazy game against Richmond Kickers Future
, which saw Richmond take a 2-0 lead, Raleigh come back to lead 3-2 with two minutes left to play, Richmond tie it up at 3-3 in the 88th, Raleigh have John Queeley
sent off in the 90th minute but take a 4-3 lead in the 3rd minute of injury time, only for Richmond to score another equalizer in the NINTH minute of injury time to end the game 4-4. The big controversy of the season, however, was the aftermath of the cancellation of Raleigh's game against Augusta FireBall
(which was never rescheduled), and the abandonment of Raleigh's final game of the season against Cocoa Expos
due to lightning with the game tied at 1-1. Had either of those games ended in a Raleigh victory they would have leapfrogged Carolina into second place, and into the playoffs for the first time. Unfortunately, they finished in third place in the Mid Atlantic Division, just one single point behind Carolina Dynamo
in second, and agonizingly out of the playoffs once more. Aaron King
was Raleigh's top scorer, with 10 goals, while Spencer Wadsworth
contributed an impressive 8 assists.
Prior to the beginning of the 2006 season the CASL organization severed its ties, and the team was taken over by the Morrisville, North Carolina
-based Next Level Academy, and re-named Raleigh Elite.
Despite their new ownership and new promise, and despite moving south to the PDL South Atlantic Division, the new Elite took a step backwards in 2006, reverting to the disappointing form which saw them win just four games all season. Things didn't start too badly for the Elite - a loss, a tie and a win over Cocoa Expos
in their first three games - but fell apart quickly. Raleigh suffered a terrible run of form in June, losing six out of eight games (including a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Carolina Dynamo
and a see-saw 4-3 defeat to Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
), although they did manage a scintillating fight-back against Nashville Metros
when, 3-0 down after 20 minutes, Raleigh came back to tie 3-3, with a hat trick from Willy Guadarrama, his third goal coming in injury time. Raleigh went unbeaten through the month of July, tying three times and enjoying a comfortable 2-0 win over the Northern Virginia Royals
on the last day of the season, but it was all too little too late for the Elite; they finished the year fourth in the South Atlantic, a full 27 points behind divisional champs Carolina Dynamo
. Willy Guadarrama was Raleigh's top scorer, with 9 goals; Guadarrama and Michael Harrington
contributed 4 assists each.
In March 2007, the Next Level Academy formed a partnership with the then new USL First Division
team the Carolina RailHawks, who subsequently became the team's parent professional club, and the team was re-named Cary RailHawks U23s.
Again, despite their new ownership and new sense of professional collaboration, thing remained much of a muchness for the RailHawks, who endured yet another disappointing season which promised much but delivered little. The RailHawks didn't notch their first win until the fourth game of the season, 1-0 over perennial strugglers Palm Beach Pumas
. The win initiated a promising 6-game unbeaten streak which stretched through the month of June, and included a hugely impressive 4-0 win over Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
and a thumping 6-0 demolition of the Cocoa Expos
that featured a pair of braces from Sean Sassano and Zack Schilawski
. Unfortunately, their run was ended by a 3-0 defeat away at Carolina Dynamo
, which led to a somewhat feeble end to the season; the RailHawks won just one more game the rest of the year, 2-1 over Central Florida Kraze
, and staggered over the finish line fifth in the Southeast Division, 10 points off the playoff race. Schilawski and Sassano were the RailHawks' top scorers, with 4 and 5 goals each, while Joe Germanese
contributed 4 assists.
The RailHawks made a real push for the playoffs in 2008. Despite a stuttering start that featured just one win in their first five games, their season was bounced into life by their exciting 3-2 win over Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
, in which Congolese striker Ronnie Bouemboue scored twice and set up Cary's 87th minute winner. From then on, Cary were inspired: they won seven of their final eight games of the regular season, seemingly scoring at will. They beat Carolina Dynamo
4-2, Nashville Metros
3-1, overturned Atlanta for a second time 4-1 in mid-July, and hammered poor Nashville 6-1 on the final day of the season, with Zack Schilawski
scoring twice. Unfortunately, the poor start to the season proved to be their downfall, as they eventually ended the year third in the Southeast Division, just five points behind second place Bradenton Academics
and agonizingly, tantalizingly out of the playoffs for the sixth straight season. Brian Shriver
and Ronnie Bouemboue were Cary's top scorers, with 6 and 5 goals respectively, while Corben Bone
contributed 4 assists.
In November 2008, Next Level Academy announced a partnership with Burnley Football Club, then of the English Championship, in order to jointly develop professional footballers; as part of the agreement, the team was renamed the Cary Clarets.
, August 1, 2009
Nick Bochette
Evan Brown
Michael Callahan
Blake Camp
Bart Creasman
Steven Curfman
Mamadou Danso
Santiago Fusilier
Mike Grella
Willy Guadarrama Michael Harrington
Justin Hughes
Aaron King
Chris Loftus
Ike Opara
Logan Pause
John Queeley
Chris Rodd
Brian Shriver
Clyde Simms
Ryan Solle
David Stokes
Julian Valentin
Michael Videira
Spencer Wadsworth
Gregory Walters
Cary, North Carolina
Cary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2002, the team played in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.
During their final season the team played its home games at Middle Creek Park. The team's colors were claret (red) and white.
History
Raleigh CASL Elite entered the PDL for the first time in 2002, and was run by the RaleighRaleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
-based Capital Area Soccer League
Capital Area Soccer League
The Capital Area Soccer League is an American soccer league located in North Carolina's capital, Raleigh. The league is home to over 800 men's, women's, and youth clubs from the Triangle area...
(CASL). They finished their first competitive campaign second in the Mid-Atlantic Division behind Williamsburg Legacy
Williamsburg Legacy
Virginia Legacy was an American soccer team based in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 2002, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
with an 11-7-0 record, and into the playoffs at the first attempt. They overcame Northeast Division champions Vermont Voltage
Vermont Voltage
Vermont Voltage is an American soccer team based in St. Albans, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference, having spent the 2009 season on...
1-0 in the Conference Semifinals before falling to Cape Cod Crusaders in the Eastern Conference final, but it was still a promising debut for the new franchise. Raleigh even enjoyed a brief foray into the US Open Cup thanks to their positive early season form, unexpectedly knocking out D3 Pro League
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
side Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
5-2 in the first round before losing 3-0 to A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
stalwarts Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
in the second.
Elite finished third in the Mid Atlantic Division in 2003, with an 8-8-2 record, 17 points behind divisional champions Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future was an American soccer team based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 2002 as part of the development system of the Richmond Kickers USL Second Division franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
. The team began the season strongly, enjoying 3-0 victory over West Virginia Chaos
West Virginia Chaos
West Virginia Chaos is an American soccer team based in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
on the road and a 1-0 win at home over Chesapeake Dragons
Chesapeake Dragons
Chesapeake Dragons were an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Dragons played their home...
in their opening two fixtures of the year; later, in mid-June, Elite rattled off three straight wins over West Virginia, Williamsburg Legacy
Williamsburg Legacy
Virginia Legacy was an American soccer team based in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 2002, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
and Greenville Lions
Greenville Lions
Greenville Lions were an American soccer team, founded in 2001, and was a member of the United Soccer Leagues D-3 Pro League and Premier Development League , the third and fourth tiers of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2003, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The...
which kept them in the hunt for the playoffs. Their early season form took them to the US Open Cup for the second straight year, where they beat USASA
USASA
The United States Adult Soccer Association is a national organization and sanctioning body for amateur soccer in the United States...
amateur side D.S. United 4-1 in the first round, but lost 2-1 to Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
in the second. Unfortunately, as the season wound down, Elite ran out of steam, slumping to three defeats in their final three games, and despite taking a 1-0 win over Greenville on the final day of the season, found themselves just out of the playoffs. Chris Norbet was Elite's top scorer, with 7 goals for the season, while John Izzo contributed 3 assists.
Elite suffered a dip in form in 2004, slipping slightly down the PDL Mid Atlantic Division table, and would eventually finish in fourth place behind divisional champs Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
with a 7-9-2 record. The season actually started quite promisingly, with two wins and a tie in their first four regular season games, including a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Williamsburg Legacy
Williamsburg Legacy
Virginia Legacy was an American soccer team based in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 2002, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
which saw Michael Harrington
Michael Harrington
Edward Michael "Mike" Harrington was an American democratic socialist, writer, political activist, professor of political science, radio commentator and founder of the Democratic Socialists of America.-Personal life:...
score a 90th-minute winner from the penalty spot. However, following their 6-1 hammering at the hands of Chesapeake Dragons
Chesapeake Dragons
Chesapeake Dragons were an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Dragons played their home...
, Elite's defense became uncharacteristically leaky; they were beaten 5-0 by Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future was an American soccer team based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 2002 as part of the development system of the Richmond Kickers USL Second Division franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
less than a week later, were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in mid-June, conceded seven goals in a one-sided game against Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
, were hammered 4-0 on the road by West Virginia Chaos
West Virginia Chaos
West Virginia Chaos is an American soccer team based in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
on Independence Day, and were outplayed again by Carolina on the final day of the regular season, suffering a 5-1 loss. The limited highlights for Raleigh included the Michael Harrington
Michael Harrington
Edward Michael "Mike" Harrington was an American democratic socialist, writer, political activist, professor of political science, radio commentator and founder of the Democratic Socialists of America.-Personal life:...
in the 4-1 win over Chesapeake in late May and the Stephen Bickford hat-trick in the 4-0 win over West Virginia in early June; beyond this, improvement was clearly required.
Improvement happened in 2005, as Elite enjoyed a much more productive and successful season, losing just four games all season. Raleigh were high-scoring entertainers throughout the year; they began their campaign with a comprehensive 4-1 thrashing of Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
, and followed this up with four more wins in their next seven games, including a 4-1 win on the road over the Bradenton Academics
Bradenton Academics
The Bradenton Academics are an American soccer team based in Bradenton, Florida, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.The team is associated with...
, and a 3-1 victory over Ajax Orlando Prospects
Ajax Orlando Prospects
Ajax Orlando Prospects was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Prospects played their...
in which Aaron King
Aaron King
Aaron King is an American soccer player.-Youth and Amateur:King attended South High School and Smoky Hill High School where he won the 2000 Colorado State Soccer Championship. He then attended the North Carolina State University, playing on the men’s soccer team from 2002 to 2005...
scored a hat trick. They were involved in a crazy game against Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future was an American soccer team based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 2002 as part of the development system of the Richmond Kickers USL Second Division franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
, which saw Richmond take a 2-0 lead, Raleigh come back to lead 3-2 with two minutes left to play, Richmond tie it up at 3-3 in the 88th, Raleigh have John Queeley
John Queeley
John Queeley is an American-born Kittitian soccer player who currently plays for USASA amateur team CASL Elite.-Club:...
sent off in the 90th minute but take a 4-3 lead in the 3rd minute of injury time, only for Richmond to score another equalizer in the NINTH minute of injury time to end the game 4-4. The big controversy of the season, however, was the aftermath of the cancellation of Raleigh's game against Augusta FireBall
Augusta FireBall
Augusta FireBall United, more commonly known as simply Augusta FireBall, was the American soccer team for Augusta, Georgia, founded in 2005...
(which was never rescheduled), and the abandonment of Raleigh's final game of the season against Cocoa Expos
Cocoa Expos
Cocoa Expos was an American soccer team, founded in 1993. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home matches at...
due to lightning with the game tied at 1-1. Had either of those games ended in a Raleigh victory they would have leapfrogged Carolina into second place, and into the playoffs for the first time. Unfortunately, they finished in third place in the Mid Atlantic Division, just one single point behind Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
in second, and agonizingly out of the playoffs once more. Aaron King
Aaron King
Aaron King is an American soccer player.-Youth and Amateur:King attended South High School and Smoky Hill High School where he won the 2000 Colorado State Soccer Championship. He then attended the North Carolina State University, playing on the men’s soccer team from 2002 to 2005...
was Raleigh's top scorer, with 10 goals, while Spencer Wadsworth
Spencer Wadsworth
Spencer Wadsworth is an American professional soccer player from Houston, Texas. He is currently without a club.-College:A four-year starter at Duke, Wadsworth saw his time in the starting lineup limited as a senior after off-season microfracture surgery on his right ankle...
contributed an impressive 8 assists.
Prior to the beginning of the 2006 season the CASL organization severed its ties, and the team was taken over by the Morrisville, North Carolina
Morrisville, North Carolina
Morrisville is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. A small portion of the town extends into Durham County. The population was 18,576 according to a April 1, 2010 census. Morrisville is part of the Research Triangle metropolitan region...
-based Next Level Academy, and re-named Raleigh Elite.
Despite their new ownership and new promise, and despite moving south to the PDL South Atlantic Division, the new Elite took a step backwards in 2006, reverting to the disappointing form which saw them win just four games all season. Things didn't start too badly for the Elite - a loss, a tie and a win over Cocoa Expos
Cocoa Expos
Cocoa Expos was an American soccer team, founded in 1993. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home matches at...
in their first three games - but fell apart quickly. Raleigh suffered a terrible run of form in June, losing six out of eight games (including a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
and a see-saw 4-3 defeat to Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Blackhawks was an American soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 2009, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
), although they did manage a scintillating fight-back against Nashville Metros
Nashville Metros
Nashville Metros is an American soccer team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
when, 3-0 down after 20 minutes, Raleigh came back to tie 3-3, with a hat trick from Willy Guadarrama, his third goal coming in injury time. Raleigh went unbeaten through the month of July, tying three times and enjoying a comfortable 2-0 win over the Northern Virginia Royals
Northern Virginia Royals
Northern Virginia Royals is an American soccer team based in Woodbridge, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
on the last day of the season, but it was all too little too late for the Elite; they finished the year fourth in the South Atlantic, a full 27 points behind divisional champs Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
. Willy Guadarrama was Raleigh's top scorer, with 9 goals; Guadarrama and Michael Harrington
Michael Harrington
Edward Michael "Mike" Harrington was an American democratic socialist, writer, political activist, professor of political science, radio commentator and founder of the Democratic Socialists of America.-Personal life:...
contributed 4 assists each.
In March 2007, the Next Level Academy formed a partnership with the then new USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
team the Carolina RailHawks, who subsequently became the team's parent professional club, and the team was re-named Cary RailHawks U23s.
Again, despite their new ownership and new sense of professional collaboration, thing remained much of a muchness for the RailHawks, who endured yet another disappointing season which promised much but delivered little. The RailHawks didn't notch their first win until the fourth game of the season, 1-0 over perennial strugglers Palm Beach Pumas
Palm Beach Pumas
Palm Beach Pumas was an American soccer team based in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. Founded in 2000, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played...
. The win initiated a promising 6-game unbeaten streak which stretched through the month of June, and included a hugely impressive 4-0 win over Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Blackhawks was an American soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 2009, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
and a thumping 6-0 demolition of the Cocoa Expos
Cocoa Expos
Cocoa Expos was an American soccer team, founded in 1993. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home matches at...
that featured a pair of braces from Sean Sassano and Zack Schilawski
Zack Schilawski
Zack Schilawski is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-High School:...
. Unfortunately, their run was ended by a 3-0 defeat away at Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
, which led to a somewhat feeble end to the season; the RailHawks won just one more game the rest of the year, 2-1 over Central Florida Kraze
Central Florida Kraze
Orlando City U-23 is an American soccer team based in Lake Mary, Florida, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
, and staggered over the finish line fifth in the Southeast Division, 10 points off the playoff race. Schilawski and Sassano were the RailHawks' top scorers, with 4 and 5 goals each, while Joe Germanese
Joe Germanese
Joe Germanese is an American football player.Germanese made his full professional debut and scored his first career goal for Revolution on 1 July 2008, in a US Open Cup third round game against Richmond Kickers.During 2008 Germanese also spent a short spell on loan at USL Second Division side...
contributed 4 assists.
The RailHawks made a real push for the playoffs in 2008. Despite a stuttering start that featured just one win in their first five games, their season was bounced into life by their exciting 3-2 win over Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Blackhawks was an American soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 2009, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
, in which Congolese striker Ronnie Bouemboue scored twice and set up Cary's 87th minute winner. From then on, Cary were inspired: they won seven of their final eight games of the regular season, seemingly scoring at will. They beat Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
4-2, Nashville Metros
Nashville Metros
Nashville Metros is an American soccer team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
3-1, overturned Atlanta for a second time 4-1 in mid-July, and hammered poor Nashville 6-1 on the final day of the season, with Zack Schilawski
Zack Schilawski
Zack Schilawski is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-High School:...
scoring twice. Unfortunately, the poor start to the season proved to be their downfall, as they eventually ended the year third in the Southeast Division, just five points behind second place Bradenton Academics
Bradenton Academics
The Bradenton Academics are an American soccer team based in Bradenton, Florida, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.The team is associated with...
and agonizingly, tantalizingly out of the playoffs for the sixth straight season. Brian Shriver
Brian Shriver
Brian Shriver is an American soccer player currently playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
and Ronnie Bouemboue were Cary's top scorers, with 6 and 5 goals respectively, while Corben Bone
Corben Bone
Corben Bone is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
contributed 4 assists.
In November 2008, Next Level Academy announced a partnership with Burnley Football Club, then of the English Championship, in order to jointly develop professional footballers; as part of the agreement, the team was renamed the Cary Clarets.
Final squad
vs. Chicago Fire PremierChicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier is an American soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...
, August 1, 2009
Notable former players
Darrius BarnesDarrius Barnes
Darrius Barnes is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Nick Bochette
Nick Bochette
Nick Bochette is a U.S. soccer goalkeeper who last played the USL Second Division side Wilmington Hammerheads....
Evan Brown
Evan Brown
Evan Brown is an American soccer player who currently plays for USASA amateur team CASL Elite.-High School:...
Michael Callahan
Michael Callahan
Michael Callahan is an American soccer player who currently plays for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and Amateur:...
Blake Camp
Blake Camp
Blake Camp is an American soccer midfielder currently plays for the Atlanta Silverbacks of the USL First Division.Camp played some youth soccer in England and has trained with several prestigious professional clubs, including Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers in England, Real Valladolid in...
Bart Creasman
Bart Creasman
Bartley "Bart" Creasman is an American former professional soccer goalkeeper who last played for the USL Second Division club Wilmington Hammerheads. Creasman holds two goalkeeping records at his high school, with 258 saves during the 2001 season and 720 saves in total throughout his Lake Mary...
Steven Curfman
Steven Curfman
Steven Curfman is an American soccer player who currently plays for USASA amateur team CASL Elite.-College and Amateur:...
Mamadou Danso
Mamadou Danso
Mamadou "Futty" Danso is a Gambian footballer who currently plays for Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Santiago Fusilier
Santiago Fusilier
Santiago Fusilier is an Argentine soccer player currently playing for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:...
Mike Grella
Mike Grella
Michael Grella is an American professional soccer player who plays for Brentford. He plays as a striker. He was a United States Under-20 International and a highly rated talent in USA...
Willy Guadarrama Michael Harrington
Michael Harrington (soccer)
Michael Harrington is an American soccer player who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Justin Hughes
Justin Hughes (soccer)
Justin Hughes is an American soccer player who last played for Real Maryland Monarchs in the USL Second Division.-College and amateur:...
Aaron King
Aaron King
Aaron King is an American soccer player.-Youth and Amateur:King attended South High School and Smoky Hill High School where he won the 2000 Colorado State Soccer Championship. He then attended the North Carolina State University, playing on the men’s soccer team from 2002 to 2005...
Chris Loftus
Chris Loftus
Christopher Loftus , is an American former soccer player.- College level :Loftus played four years of college soccer for Duke, scoring 24 goals in 80 appearances, and in the USL Premier Development League for Raleigh Elite.- Draft :...
Ike Opara
Ike Opara
Ikenna "Ike" Opara is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Logan Pause
Logan Pause
Logan Pause is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
John Queeley
John Queeley
John Queeley is an American-born Kittitian soccer player who currently plays for USASA amateur team CASL Elite.-Club:...
Chris Rodd
Chris Rodd
Christopher Henry Trevor Rodd is an American professional soccer player. He plays for Bryne FK in the Norway's Adeccoligaen.- Biography :...
Brian Shriver
Brian Shriver
Brian Shriver is an American soccer player currently playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
Clyde Simms
Clyde Simms
Clyde Simms is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College:...
Ryan Solle
Ryan Solle
Ryan Solle is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-College:Solle grew up in Broadway, North Carolina, played club soccer for the Fayetteville Force with whom he won three consecutive North Carolina state championships , and attended Lee County High School in Sanford, North...
David Stokes
David Stokes
David Stokes is an American soccer player, who last played three seasons in Major League Soccer and two in the USL First Division.-High school and college:...
Julian Valentin
Julian Valentin
Julian Valentin is a retired American soccer player.-College and Amateur:At Wake Forest University, Valentin started over 70 games for the Deacons, and during his time in North Carolina, amongst many recognitions, was named a Soccer America Preseason All-American, was included in the NSCAA First...
Michael Videira
Michael Videira
Michael Videira is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Spencer Wadsworth
Spencer Wadsworth
Spencer Wadsworth is an American professional soccer player from Houston, Texas. He is currently without a club.-College:A four-year starter at Duke, Wadsworth saw his time in the starting lineup limited as a senior after off-season microfracture surgery on his right ankle...
Gregory Walters
Gregory Walters
Greg Walters is an American soccer player, currently plays for the Waikato FC of the New Zealand Football Championship.-College:...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Mid Atlantic | Conference Finals | 2nd Round |
| 2003 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Mid Atlantic | Did not qualify | 2nd Round |
| 2004 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Mid Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2005 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Mid Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, South Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Southeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Southeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Mid Atlantic | National Semifinals | Did not qualify |
Stadia
- WakeMed Soccer Park (SAS Soccer ParkSAS Soccer ParkWakeMed Soccer Park is a major soccer complex located in Cary, North Carolina, United States. Originally opened in 2002 as the home of the Carolina Courage of the WUSA, WakeMed Soccer Park is now the home to the Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League...
); Cary, North CarolinaCary, North CarolinaCary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham...
(2003-2008) - Middle Creek Park; Cary, North CarolinaCary, North CarolinaCary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham...
(2009)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2005: 480
- 2006: 140
- 2007: 222
- 2008: not yet available
- 2009: 114