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Atlanta Kicks off 2-Game Set with New York

October 4, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta Silverbacks (7-9-9, 30 points)

vs. New York Cosmos (11-10-4, 43 points)

Where: Shuart Stadium | Hempstead, New York

When: 5 p.m. EDT

Watch: ONE World Sports | Because of New York's television contract, Sunday's match will not streaming on the usual ESPN3 platform. Check availability for ONE World here .

With five games left to play in the Fall Season, the Atlanta Silverbacks and New York Cosmos will meet twice in the span of four days: Sunday evening in New York (5 p.m. | ONE World Sports) and Wednesday night at Silverbacks Park (7:30 p.m).

The Stakes: Entering Sunday's matchup, Atlanta remains within striking distance of a playoff spot but will need full points to assert themselves in the Championship race, which features four teams separated by four points for the final slot. With a Spring title securing their postseason berth, the Cosmos could go level for the combined season's top seed with a win Sunday.

Three Things to Watch:

1. Clean sheets won't be as likely this go-round. When Atlanta and New York played the scoreless draw in April, a scoreless draw worked out for everyone so early in the year. With the postseason looming, however, the Silverbacks will be much more inclined to open up and find a goal, as a point won't be as helpful to make up ground in the closing months. New York has conceded six times-four to Ottawa Fury FC and two against FC Edmonton-in their last two matches, and the Silverbacks attack is on much different form in the Fall Season, doubling the scoring average to 1.46 goals per game.

2. More formation swapping from the Silverbacks? Against the Scorpions, Atlanta head coach Gary Smith reverted from the 3-5-2 formation he'd favored throughout most of the Fall Season, changing things up on the road in San Antonio. With another vital road clash coming, will Smith once again try something different in search of a much-needed Silverbacks win? Based on New York's recent string of results-three matches without a win-Smith could find something upon which to base Atlanta's strategy. As the season draws to a close, it'd be no surprise to see the Atlanta squad pulling out everything in the arsenal-formations, substitution patterns, etc.-in the chase the fourth playoff spot.

3. How will Wednesday's rematch influence the game Sunday? With just two days separating Sunday's clash in New York and Wednesday Night Soccer in Atlanta, will the quick back-to-back matches impact how Sunday plays out? Having secured a top-two slot with their Spring Season championship, all the Cosmos have left to play for until the Championship is the top overall seed and could afford to rest stars or send out a second-choice lineup. Atlanta, four points off a playoff spot, doesn't quite have the same luxury of resting and will have to treat each game with the exact same importance to make up ground in the standings.

Last meeting between the sides: Silverbacks 0, Cosmos 0 | Recap | Highlights

No stranger to high-profile matches this year, Atlanta and New York faced off in the Spring Season in a battle of unbeatens at Silverbacks Park. In his first NASL start, goalkeeper Steward Ceus and the Atlanta defense shut out the Cosmos attack during Raul's first-ever appearance in. The draw in late April is the only encounter between the clubs in 2015.

Pregame Reading: * Last weekend, Atlanta and San Antonio played to a second-consecutive six-goal draw, this time at Toyota Field. Silverbacks Insider Corey Langley broke down all the tactics behind another hectic game with the Scorpions. * How does "Run BMC" fit as a name for the high-flying offensive trio of Junior Burgos , Pedro Mendes and Jaime Chavez ? Matthew Levine of NASL.com featured the productive members of Atlanta's attack , speaking with the players and Silverbacks head coach Gary Smith about Fall Season successes and the NASL playoff picture.

Defender Paul Black wins place in Team of the Week

Versatile defender Paul Black returned to a traditional left back role when Smith switched the team's style last weekend. It didn't affect Black's performance a bit, as the 25-year-old Englishman was named to the NASL's Team of the Week for his full shift in defense and his cross to assist Jaime Chavez's goal, the icebreaker in a high-scoring affair in San Antonio.

Burgos and McKenzie connect for Play of the Week nomination

Rauwshan McKenzie headed home his first Silverbacks goal against the Scorpions, finishing off a Burgos service at the back post to open his NASL scoring account. McKenzie's goal in the eventual 3-3 draw was selected as one of the league's Plays of the Week, and after fan polls closed on Wednesday, the goal garnered enough votes for a top-three finish across the NASL.

Week 14 Schedule

Saturday, Oct. 3

Jacksonville Armada FC 1, Indy Eleven 1

Minnesota United 1, Tampa Bay Rowdies 0

Fort Lauderdale Strikers 4, San Antonio Scorpions 2

Sunday Oct. 4

Ottawa Fury FC vs. FC Edmonton

3 p.m. EDT | ESPN3

Atlanta Silverbacks vs. New York Cosmos

5 p.m. EDT | ONE World Sports

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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