Two Carolina RailHawks have extra special reason to be excited about West Ham United’s US Tour 2016.
Railhawks regulars Paul Black and Matt Watson were both born and started their careers in England before heading for North Carolina at the start of the 2016 North American Soccer League (NASL) season.
For former Manchester City trainee and Rochdale defender Black, the prospect of facing the Hammers at WakeMed Soccer Park on Tuesday 12 July is one he cannot wait to arrive.
“It’s nice to play an English team as I’ve not against played one for a while,” said the 26-year-old, who played professionally for Oldham Athletic, Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United and Cheltenham Town before moving to NASL club Atlanta Silverbacks in January 2015.”
To secure your Carolina RailHawks v West Ham United tickets now, click here.
Prior to moving Stateside, former England U19 international Black faced a Charlton Athletic side containing West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph and Tranmere Rovers team including Aaron Cresswell.
The right-back is relishing the visit of Slaven Bilic’s UEFA Europa League qualifiers to the Tar Heel State, which has already caught the imagination of thousands of Hammers fans from across the United States.
“Obviously West Ham are a Premier League team as well so it will be massive for the club and for myself as well,” he continued. “It will be nice to play against some players that I’ve played against in England as well. I’m excited. It’s going to be great."
The right-back is relishing the visit of Slaven Bilic’s UEFA Europa League qualifiers to the Tar Heel State, which has already caught the imagination of thousands of Hammers fans from across the United States.
“Obviously West Ham are a Premier League team as well so it will be massive for the club and for myself as well,” he continued. “It will be nice to play against some players that I’ve played against in England as well. I’m excited. It’s going to be great."
Obviously West Ham are a Premier League team as well so it will be massive for the club and for myself as well
Redditch-born Watson moved to the US to attend the University of Maryland, where he scored five goals and recorded 16 assists in two seasons. From there, started a successful professional career with USL side Richmond Kickers before winning the NASL regular season title with the RailHawks in 2011.
The 31-year-old moved to the top-flight MLS (Major League Soccer) with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2012 – earning a US green card in the same year – before joining Chicago Fire in March 2014. Watson returned to Carolina in January this year.
The midfielder, a lifelong Arsenal supporter, confirmed his excitement at facing the Hammers, saying:
“It’s obviously great experience to play against a very experienced squad playing at the top level. It should be a good night.”
Tickets are selling fast for the second match of West Ham’s US Tour 2016, with three sections of WakeMed Soccer Park already filled by the Claret and Blue Army for the 8pm kick-off Eastern Time.
Fans from all over the United States have snapped up seats for the eagerly-anticipated fixture, with supporters from Ohio, Washington DC, Atlanta, New York, Pennsylvania and both North and South Carolina all confirmed attendees.
To secure your Carolina RailHawks v West Ham United tickets now, click here.
West Ham will also take on the best-supported club in the club, Seattle Sounders, at CenturyLink Field on Tuesday 5 July at 8pm Pacific Time. For tickets to this game, click here.
The 31-year-old moved to the top-flight MLS (Major League Soccer) with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2012 – earning a US green card in the same year – before joining Chicago Fire in March 2014. Watson returned to Carolina in January this year.
The midfielder, a lifelong Arsenal supporter, confirmed his excitement at facing the Hammers, saying:
“It’s obviously great experience to play against a very experienced squad playing at the top level. It should be a good night.”
Tickets are selling fast for the second match of West Ham’s US Tour 2016, with three sections of WakeMed Soccer Park already filled by the Claret and Blue Army for the 8pm kick-off Eastern Time.
Fans from all over the United States have snapped up seats for the eagerly-anticipated fixture, with supporters from Ohio, Washington DC, Atlanta, New York, Pennsylvania and both North and South Carolina all confirmed attendees.
To secure your Carolina RailHawks v West Ham United tickets now, click here.
West Ham will also take on the best-supported club in the club, Seattle Sounders, at CenturyLink Field on Tuesday 5 July at 8pm Pacific Time. For tickets to this game, click here.