We had the opportunity to sit down with head coach Colin Clarke to discuss the preseason and also share some of the questions fans had for him. Fans sent in their questions via Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get the latest updates, including opportunities to send questions to coaches and players.

You are in your last week of preseason, what are you seeing?

We are seeing lot of positives but we still got a long way to go. We are seeing very good signs, especially on the attack where we are generating a lot of opportunities. In order to reach our full potential we need to start converting these opportunities into goals.

From the friendlies we’ve been able to see a lot of ball movement, speed, and creating opportunities, is this overwhelming style of play something you want to carry all season?

We need to understand that we are not always going to have the ball. We will need to play without it, controlling the opponents’ attacks and working the clock to our favor. Sometimes we will need to take a breather and regroup before going on the attack again.

What are some of the things that surprised you the most so far?

No surprises so far. We have a team composed of good people with great character. They are talented and the team is coming along nicely.

We’ve had the chance to see some fierce soccer tennis matches, who are the best partners?

Right now Low-Zimmerman is the team to beat, but we will start a competition this week and anything can happen. The Bader-Clarke team will look to advance if Dewan can move for both of us!

What are your expectations for this years’ US Open Cup?

We want to do well. Like everything we are approaching, we want to win. Having missed out last year, we are hoping to advance and make a big splash this year. Last year teams like Richmond did well and we hope to be able to advance far into the tournament.

What is your sense of the passion for the team and soccer in the Triangle area?

There is a great passion for the sport in the area. We have been seeing it since we started to work and especially when we do camps and clinics. We live in a hot bed for soccer with so many great universities, important clubs, and talented players, but overall we still need to sell the game of soccer. We need to be able to bring more fans to the games.

What do you think is a strong point of playing at home, and what can we improve?

Home is your fortress; you have to win at home. Fan involvement can carry a team by lifting players or intimidating a rival. The WakeMed Stadium has a great surface and that facilitates better games. It is going to be a key to this season is to grow the support for our team.

From your visits to Cary as the Coach of one of the big rivals, what did you think of the stadium and the atmosphere?

The atmosphere is good but we need to take it to the next level. This year we will have the stadium wrapped with the addition of the north stands that will help trap the noise and create a more powerful 12^th man. We need to have more people in the stands and have everyone cheering, clapping, and chanting the entire game. We want the players from the other teams to be intimidated by the atmosphere.

How did it feel to score for your country in a World Cup Match?

It is a great feeling; especially with how fast everything happened for me, from being called up to the national team to the World Cup experience. It was a tough moment because we needed a good result to keep our hope of advancing and even though I scored we weren’t able to get the score we needed. Now that I am older, I look back at that experience and truly cherish it. The entire process from being called up, to the preparation, and to the World Cup itself, is a great memory.

The RailHawks open their 2012 NASL season on the road visiting the defending champions, Minnesota, on April 7^th. The game will be broadcasted live online at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. The 2012 Home Opener will be on April 14^th when Atlanta comes to face the RailHawks at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets for the match, as well as season tickets, are available online at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com or at the Cruizers Box office. For information or to purchase, call 919-459-8144 or by email at Tickets@CarolinaRailHawks.com.