Etienne Barbara is re-writing the goal records for American club Carolina RailHawks.
Last weekend, the Maltese forward hit a brace as his team chalked up a 2-1 victory over Impact to go top of the NASL with 16 points, their best start ever in the club’s history.
With his two goals on Saturday, Barbara has now been on target in seven consecutive games, more than double the previous RailHawks record. In taking his tally to nine goals, Barbara has also eclipsed the club record of eight goals which he set last season.
Barbara, who had shown signs of rediscovering his old sparkle during a short spell with Sliema Wanderers this season, is looking to build on his excellent start to his second spell with the RailHawks.
“Last year, I also started well, scoring in my first two games but then injuries disrupted my season,” Barbara, the NASL player of the month for April, told The Times yesterday.
“I’m feeling better this time. I had a good break before resuming my career with Sliema in February whereas last year, I began the season early with Hibs before coming to the States.”
According to Barbara, the level of the NASL has improved compared to last year.
Barbara said: “This is a new league and the clubs have attracted better players. The standard has gone up and I’m happy about that because I’m always striving to play at a higher level.”
Thanks to his scoring feats, Barbara is clearly making a name for himself and Malta in the United States. It’s testament to Barbara’s rising popularity that a sports columnist for the Raleigh-based News & Observer is working on a story about the Maltese striker who, in the writer’s own words, “is scoring for fun here in the US second division”.
RailHawks coach Martin Renni paid tribute to Barbara.
“Etienne scoring nine goals in seven games is a club record and it is a huge accomplishment,” Renni said.
“He’s off to a great start this season.”
Barbara, 28, has five months remaining on his contract with the RailHawks but is willing to extend his stay in US football.
“I have a contract until November with Carolina RailHawks,” Barbara said.
“I had in mind to return to Sliema at the end of my contract but I’m enjoying my time here.”
After becoming disillusioned with Maltese football, especially following his surprise omission from the national squad, Barbara has been on a personal mission to make his mark in a foreign country.
His bold impact for the RailHawks appears to have strengthened his determination to stay away from his country of birth.
“I’m living in a massive city but the people respect me a lot here,” Barbara, capped 29 times by Malta, said.
“I feel more appreciated here than in my own country. They treat me like I’m one of them and perhaps even better than that. When journalists ask me if I’m homesick, I tell them that I miss my family and close friends but not the football.
“Maltese football has let me down big-time, especially the national team. Every coach has his opinion but I’m convinced that my exclusion from the Malta squad was unfair.”