The Carolina RailHawks have just a few days remaining until Saturday’s “Community Shield” exhibition match against the New England Revolution of the MLS. In addition to it being the first game of 2009, the club announced other initiatives designed to further its mission of community outreach on Monday at a joint press conference at the Umstead Hotel and Spa.

Already, the team has been involved in helping Triangle-area kids with learning disabilities, The Salvation Army and area Boys and Girls Clubs.

Defender Caleb Norkus has been immersed in community outreach programs over the past year. In January, Norkus traveled to the Dominican Republic to help underprivileged children there.

“This team isn’t just a professional side, it’s about giving back to the community as well,” Norkus said.

Saturday’s game, set for 7 p.m., will also be the debut of new head man Martin Rennie, whom the RailHawks hired in November after he led the USL-D2’s Cleveland City Stars to a league championship in 2008.

Rennie is excited, not only to play a MLS team in his first game at WakeMed Soccer Park, but also for the impact the team will be striving to make off the field.

“One of the reasons I came here is the club wants to have a positive impact on the community and they do want to helps kids who need help,” Rennie said.

“We have done a lot of that already and we will continue to do more. I hope this continues to raise awareness that this is a soccer team that wants to give back to the community and to kids that need help.”

Saturday will also be the second time in the RailHawks’ three seasons that the MLS’ New England Revolution has come into town.

One of the RailHawks’ 14 announced newcomers this year, midfielder Brian Plotkin, played against the Revolution last season as a member of the MLS’ Columbus Crew.

“It’s going to be a good test for us ... New England has been one of the top teams in the MLS consistently over the past five years,” Plotkin said. “Any time you get a chance to go against that top-level competition it’s definitely going to benefit us.”

Plotkin has also been a visitor to WakeMed Soccer Park.

“I know the environment that can be set in that stadium and it’s something, especially coming into Saturday, that I expect,” Plotkin said. “We’re all looking forward to coming out for our fans and giving them something to look forward to.”

With new talent joining the team seemingly every other day, it hasn’t been easy getting everyone on the same page. Even after adding 14 new players, the RailHawks aren’t done bringing in new talent.

“It’s a test. We’ve got guys coming in and going out every few days, but we’re just trying to build a good core,” Plotkin said.

With the true season opener still about a month away, Rennie will approach Saturday as part of a bigger fine-tuning process to get his team playing at its peak when the wins and losses start counting.

In the end, Rennie wants to play quick, clean, attacking style of soccer, but understands that the Revolution hasn’t endured as much overturn as his team.

“I won’t judge my team on what happens on Saturday, I’ll judge it over time,” Rennie said. “I’ve never coached a game in that stadium and I’ve never had a game on that field yet, so I’m looking forward to it and I think fans will enjoy it.”