- Al Drago
- RailHawks and Silverbacks getting to know each other a bit better at the end of last Satuday’s match at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary
As a result of red cards issued in the aftermath of the melee that ended last Saturday’s match between the Carolina RailHawks and the Atlanta Silverbacks before the end of full-time stoppage, both Brian Ackley and Chris Nurse are suspended from tonight’s game with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in St. Petersburg, Fla.
After Ackley and Nico Colaluca grappled near the RailHawks’ bench, a scuffle ensued during which RailHawks’ manager Colin Clarke sought to separate the two players and fourth official Tyler McCauley was knocked to the ground. Referee Jose Carlos Rivero showed red cards to both Ackley and Colaluca before halting the match, which ended in a 4-4 draw. Nurse, who was on the bench at the time and appeared to intercede between Ackley and Colaluca, was issued a red card as a part of the officials’ post-match report.
According to a league source, the NASL may not complete its investigation of the altercation until next week. As a result, while Ackley and Nurse are automatically suspended for tonight’s match by virtue of their red cards, they are presently eligible to compete in this Saturday’s match against at Puerto Rico. If the league imposes additional disciplinary action against either player, it would likely take effect starting with the RailHawks next match, a April 28 game against the San Antonio Scorpions.
