With the NASL Regular Season Championship wrapped up, the Carolina RailHawks now turn their attention toward building momentum toward the postseason over their final three matches.

Fresh off clinching the title on Wednesday, the RailHawks (17-3-5) visit Montreal for a Sunday afternoon kickoff at Saputo Stadium at 3:30.  The RailHawks will look to complete a sweep of the season series against the Impact, against whom Carolina is 3-0-0 this season. Of the 270 minutes the teams have played  head-to-head this season, the RailHawks have found themselves trailing for a grand total of 11 minutes.

With three games to play, the RailHawks lead the NASL with 54 points, eight clear of second-place Puerto Rico. They have already set club records for wins (17) and goals (49) in a season, and they are one point shy of matching the club record for points in a season (55).

The RailHawks shot to the top of the table and have remained there since April on the strength of the NASL’s best attack and best defense. The RailHawks have scored a league-leading 49 goals  – 10 more than any other team in the league – and their goal differential sits at plus-27. They have only been shut out three times all season.

Forward Etienne Barbara, who missed his first match of the season Wednesday, has scored an NASL-best 20 goals this season, and he leads the league in assists (eight). Against Montreal, he has scored three goals this year, including two in a 2-1 win at Saputo Stadium on May 14. Pablo Campos, who’s tied for second in the NASL with 11 goals, has put two in the back of the net against Montreal. Nick Zimmerman has added five goals, and Matt Watson three. Jonny Steele remains second in the league with seven assists.

Defensively, the RailHawks’ 22 goals allowed and 0.88 goals against average are both best in the league. During their four-match unbeaten streak, the RailHawks have conceded only three goals and posted two shutouts. Goalkeeper Brad Knighton has played all 2,210 minutes of the season in goal, and he leads the league in GAA, shutouts (eight) and  is second in saves (97). Two of Knighton’s eight shutouts have come against the Impact this season.

Montreal (6-8-11) continues to fight for its playoff life. The Impact enter the weekend in seventh place, three points behind Minnesota for the sixth and final playoff berth. They are 3-1-1 over their last five matches and have outscored their opponents  9-2, with three shutouts during that span. Montreal rates third in the NASL in shots taken (296), while their 28 goals scored rank sixth. They’ve had 12 different players tally this season, with a team-best six courtesy of Eduardo Sebrango, who came out of retirement and rejoined the Impact at mid-season. Mignane Diouf has contributed three goals and three assists, and Ali Gerba has two goals and three assists.

Defensively, Montreal’s 27 goals allowed are second fewest in the league. Evan Bush and Bill Gaudette have shared goalkeeping responsibilities throughout the season. Bush has appeared in 16 matches and posted a 4-5-6 record and 0.901 goals against average. Guadette has nine starts, a 2-2-5 record and a 1.18 goals against average.

The RailHawks wrap up their three-match road trip next Saturday at Puerto Rico at 7:30 p.m, and they’ll return to WakeMed Soccer Park.