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Silverbacks Comeback Falls Short

September 13, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, Ga. (September 13, 2014) - The Atlanta Silverbacks nearly pulled off the comeback, but a late goal from Danny Szetela gave the NY Cosmos the 3-2 win on a rainy night in New York.

New York went ahead less than a minute into the game when Mads Stokkelien back-heeled a deflected cross from the right side at the near post past Silverbacks goalkeeper Eric Ati. The Cosmos stayed on the front foot and stretched the lead nine minutes later when Sebastian Guenzatti found himself unmarked at the top of the six to head home another cross from the right side.

The Silverbacks then pulled one back in the 16th minute. First, Poku's header sent Jaime Chavez alone towards goal. Chavez was able to round Cosmos goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck but his shot towards an empty net was deflected out by a late arriving defender.

On the ensuing corner kick, Edgar Espinoza got his head to the cross, but the ball clanked off the right post. Sandoval was first to the rebound and snuck the ball through the defense from six yards out for his fifth goal of the year.

Silverbacks head coach Jason Smith made two changes to start the second half, bringing on Alex Harlley for Ferrety Sousa and Lucas Paulini for Yanny Rivera. He also shifted the formation to a 3-5-2 in search of the tying goal.

The moves worked as Atlanta started the second half with more energy.

The reward came in the 59th minute, when Ryan Roushandel's free kick from outside the box was saved at the near post by Zobeck, but Pablo Cruz was there to jump on the rebound and put the ball back across and into the left side of the goal. It was Cruz's fourth goal of the season.

Atlanta created a few more chances, but it was NY who re-took the lead with six minutes to play when Szetela got on the end of ball around the penalty spot and threaded a shot through two players, leaving a blinded Ati with no chance to react.

The Silverbacks return to Atlanta for consecutive home matches, first on September 20 against the Ottawa Fury and then on September 27 versus the San Antonio Scorpions.

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