Approximately 150 players descended on SAS Soccer Park this past weekend for the Carolina RailHawks inaugural open tryout. The would-be USL First Division players came from as far away as New York and Florida for the two-day camp. They ranged in experience from current and former professional players to weekend warriors whose soccer resumes consist of rec-league appearances and kickabouts in the park.

While most of the participants had pre-registered for the tryout online, 50 spots were reserved for the early-risers Saturday, on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, the parking lot at SAS Soccer Park began to fill up at 7:00 a.m., two hours before registration began.

This might have been Coach Scott Schweitzer's first time running a tryout camp, but he drew on his years of experience as a player while planning the weekend schedule.

"I thought of it as, if it was something I was involved in as a player, how I would want it to be run," Coach Schweitzer explained. "I was trying to get the best out of the players, and in order to get the best out of them (the tryout) needed to be as professional and well-run as it possibly could be."

David Wren, a Chapel Hill youth soccer coach originally from Newcastle, England, was one of those lucky players able to walk up and register. He said that he was encouraged by the parents of his players to try out.

"If anything, I guess I get a good workout for three hours," Wren said. "If something happens, you take it from there."

Another participant, Yoseph Yilma, traveled from Washington D.C. A native of Ethiopia who plays club soccer, Yilma was looking forward to testing his skills against the rest of the hopefuls.

"I can see lots of good players," Yilma said while surveying the practice area before the tryout got underway. "It's a very nice opportunity to play at a higher level."

On the other end of the spectrum was Chris McClellan, a goalkeeper who spent four years playing in the USL Second Division with the Charlotte Eagles. He looked at the tryout as a chance to play at a higher level.

"I've put a lot of time in the Second Division and proved myself there," he explained. "It'd be a good opportunity to move up. I'm going to play my best and, Lord willing, if an opportunity presents itself, it'd be great."

Norkus watches tryout. (photo by Jarrett Campbell)

The tryout was open to the public, and plenty of RailHawks fans who attended the Saturday session took up the team's offer of behind-the-scenes tours of SAS Stadium. Those that did got the chance to visit the locker rooms, team offices, player tunnel, and press box. They also got to meet the RailHawks' newest signing, Caleb Norkus.

"The tour was excellent," said Pat O'Dowd, a Cary resident who took the tour with his sons Colin and Brendan. When asked what their favorite part of the tour was, Brendan said he enjoyed the locker rooms, while Colin favored seeing in the entrance tunnel, where the RailHawks will run out onto the SAS Stadium field next season.

Norkus, making his first official appearance as a RailHawk, saw plenty of familiar faces in the crowd on Saturday. He also signed plenty of autographs.

"I'm really happy there's a pro team back in my hometown," Norkus said. "Every day just seems to get better. I'm in the right place."

Watching the tryout unfold from the SAS Stadium concourse, Norkus thought back to the times when he participated in similar combines, specifically one with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.

The Carolina RailHawks first tryout camp drew more than 150 players

"It was a rough weekend," he said. "There was a lot of training, and everyone wanted it. It's important to be relaxed, be confident, and have a good time with it."
"You've got a lot of hopes and dreams. You have to give that 100%."

And even though Norkus's spot on the roster is secure, that didn't mean he was happy watching from the sidelines.

"I would love to be out there training with them right now," he said, "because I love to play every chance I get."

After two days of drills, small-sided games and full-field, 11-v-11 scrimmages, the tryout ended. Any players that Coach Schweitzer is interested in taking a closer look at will be invited to the RailHawks' pre-season combine in March.

"It was a complete success," Coach Schweitzer said. "Overall, it went really, really well."
"I wasn't looking for any particular type of player. I was looking for players that know the game, and players that fit the mold we're looking to build around."

As the tryout broke up on Sunday afternoon, some participants spoke with the evaluators, hoping to get a sense of where they stood. Others, meanwhile, were cautiously optimistic.

"I'm counting on my experience to get me through," said Philip Kutsu, who played professionally in Ghana. He had decided to stop playing and move into coaching soccer, but his wife and best friend encouraged him to travel from Virginia to Cary for one more chance. He was glad that he did.

"I really love it here," Kutsu said, talking about the SAS Soccer Park complex. "I just want to thank the RailHawks for giving us a chance to try out."