CARY, North Carolina, CMC – The Guyana international Gregory Richardson struck an early goal and an assist to help Carolina RailHawks beat the Puerto Rico Islanders 2-1 in their United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division match Saturday night.
Strikes by Richardson and Andriy Budnyy gave the RailHawks a 2-0 halftime lead and the Jamaican Nicholas Addlery pulled a goal back for the Islanders midway the second half at the RailHawks’ WakeMed Soccer Park.
With one regular season game remaining, the RailHawks reclaimed sole possession of second place on 52 points, three behind Portland Timbers, who secured the Commissioner’s Cup as the regular-season champions.
The RailHawks began positively and were in front after only two minutes.
Richardson collected a pass from Joseph Kabwe, dribbled into the box, and shot past Justin Myers in the PR Islanders’ goal for his sixth tally of the season.
Richardson tormented the Islanders with his skill and pace and four minutes later, he went close when Myers made a fine save.
The 27-year-old Caribbean player featured in the RailHawks’ second goal in the 11th minute when his shot deflected off Budnyy, giving the Ukrainian forward his fifth goal of the season.
Puerto Rico threatened several times in the second half and picked up a goal in the 66th minute when Addlery moved through the defence and shot past RailHawks’ goalkeeper Eric Reed.
The RailHawks wind up their regular season on Friday when they face the Montreal Impact with Antiguan Peter Byers.
The USL playoffs are set to begin later this month.
