The Carolina RailHawks won a division championship last year thanks in large part to their strong road record. Their first chance to get a road win this season is this Saturday, when they travel to NSC Minnesota.

To date, coach Martin Rennie has kept the starting lineup almost entirely intact from one game to another - exceptions in the case of players sitting out suspensions or injury. The fewer rotations has allowed the team to gel quickly, and it's led to a 2-1 record in the season-opening home stand.

Here are a few notes going into Saturday's North American Soccer League match, which can be viewed online at the websites for the team and league.

Barbara in bunches: Not only was forward Etienne Barbara leading the NASL in goals scored after last weekend, he was doing so at an amazing rate.

Barbara's three goals have happened in just 157 minutes played - or at about 52 minutes per contest.

"I'm always hungry for goals," the Maltese forward said. "I need always more."

He's already scored as many goals or more than four other NASL teams in the same number of games.

In position for first: After taking out FC Edmonton last Wednesday, the RailHawks entered the week in a three-way tie atop the NASL standings.

The other two clubs are Edmonton and Puerto Rico.

Should the RailHawks leave Minnesota with a win, the RailHawks might find themselves in first place.

However, Puerto Rico plays twice this week, as does Minnesota. Puerto Rico defeated Minnesota 3-1 Tuesday night, placing the Islanders atop the standings.

Former RailHawks: Maybe it's the fact Carolina is now in its fifth season, or it could be the small size of the NASL, but the team will face at least one former RailHawks player in every game it plays.

This weekend, the team will see two on Minnesota's back line in John Gilkerson and Jack Stewart.

Gilkerson played extensively last season for Carolina, while Stewart started the 2009 season with the team before a broken leg seemingly ended his career.

Stewart did not play with a team in 2010.