The Carolina RailHawks will open the season in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome against the defending NASL champion Minnesota Stars. The RailHawks' first home game is April 14 against the Atlanta Silverbacks.

Like last year, the RailHawks will play 28 NASL games with 14 home and 14 away matches. Carolina will play all seven league opponents twice at home and twice away.

Other important dates to consider:

Carolina hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer for a preseason friendly match March 4. The Whitecaps are led by former RailHawks coach Martin Rennie, who will be making his return to Cary along with a former Carolina assistant coach and three former players.

The RailHawks will have fireworks following the July 3 home game against Atlanta.

The fourth annual Taste of the Triangle will be held before the May 2 home game against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers.

New RailHawks coach Colin Clarke will face his former club, the Puerto Rico Islanders, for the first time April 21 in Puerto Rico.

Carolina will be participating in this year's U.S. Open Cup after a one-year hiatus imposed by the United States Soccer Federation on all NASL teams. The RailHawks' first game in the tournament will be May 22. The opponent and venue have not been determined.

The season finale is Sept. 22 against Tampa Bay. The finale was the RailHawks' most highly-attended regular-season game last year, when attendance rose steadily throughout the season.

For more information on RailHawks tickets and game information call the box office at 919-459-8144 or e-mail tickets @carolina railhawks .com .