The Carolina RailHawks announced today they have come to an agreement with U.S. Soccer to host the U.S. women’s national team on May 18. The team will face Japan in preparation for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.  This news comes after U.S. men’s national team agreed to train at WakeMed Soccer Park for international friendlies against Argentina on March 26 and Paraguay on March 29. 

“Hosting both the U.S. men’s national team and U.S. women’s national team here in the Triangle within a two-month span shows the high regard U.S. Soccer has for the home of the RailHawks and WakeMed Soccer Park,” RailHawks’ President Curt Johnson said. “We are thrilled to assist U.S. Soccer in bringing the women’s national team to WakeMed Soccer Park and being able to provide our fans and the people of the Triangle with an international soccer match between two of the top women’s teams in the world.”

The U.S. women most defeated Japan 2-1 on March 2 in a match to open the Algarve Cup. The U.S. women will look to continue its 49-game home unbeaten streak. Tickets for the match will go on sale to the general public Tuesday at 10 a.m. Tickets will not be available for purchase at WakeMed Soccer Park until the day of the match.

Attention wealthy sports fans: If buying part of the local hockey team is too rich for your blood, how about a stake in the soccer squad?

The owners of the Carolina RailHawks are seeking new investors "to participate in the next, exciting phase of growth" of the Cary-based professional soccer franchise. Its backers now include majority owner Selby Wellman, a former Cisco Systems executive, as well as Lulu.com CEO Bob Young, Brian Wellman and Dr. H. Paul Singh.

The owners are looking for a $1 million investment from one to three potential partners, RailHawks spokesman Marco Rosa wrote in an e-mail. And they do have some unnamed prospects.

Former Southeast Raleigh High soccer star Darrius Barnes will be back in town this weekend. Unfortunately, he's injured and will not be able to play in the New England Revolution's friendly against the Carolina RailHawks. Barnes is a defender with the Revolution this season.

Soccer players, think you've got the game to go pro?

The Carolina RailHawks are giving you a chance to find out.

Looking
ahead to next season, the men's team will conduct an open tryout and
the annual RailHawks Combine in December at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

The Triangle's youth soccer players get a chance to learn from professional players on Sunday when the Carolina RailHawks host a free clinic.

The clinic, which is open to ages 5-13, takes place at 10:30 a.m. and
lasts until 2 p.m. at Bond Park in Cary. Registration starts at 9:30
a.m. Players from the RailHawks, who lead the United Soccer Leagues
First Division, will teach skills and offer tips.