Atlanta Travels to Strikers for Match Day 5

May 1, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The unbeaten Atlanta Silverbacks are on the road for the second time in three matches, this time traveling to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ESPN3). With their sights set on extending their five-match regular season unbeaten run, dating back to the 2014 Fall finale, Atlanta (1-0-3, 6 points) enters Match Day 5 level on six points with the Strikers (2-2-0, 6 points).

Against the New York Cosmos on Match Day 4, Atlanta mounted its first clean sheet of the season thanks to Steward Ceus' debut performance - which was good enough for NASL Team of the Week honors - in goal.

After rehabbing from preseason knee surgery, the 6-foot-6 Haitian international sprawled for seven saves against the first-place Cosmos.

Up front, the Silverbacks are sure to start NASL scoring co-leader Shaka Bangura. The team's second striker is more up in the air, with Jaime Chavez earning his first start versus the Cosmos last week. Matt Horth - who had started the first three matches - entered as a late substitute, opening up an opportunity for either to get coach Gary Smith's nod.

The Silverbacks are 5-5-5 all time against Fort Lauderdale and just 2-3-3 at Lockhart Stadium, but Saturday's match offers the chance for either team to lock down separation in the Spring table at the midway point.

Only 4 points separate the Cosmos and the eighth place Ottawa Fury.

Three points either way could clear up the muddled race for the Spring championship.

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 1, 2015

• Match Preview: Fury FC Look for Inspired Performance against League-Leading New York - Ottawa Fury FC
• Community First Park, MCU Park Host First NASL Matches as Spring Season Rolls On - NASL
• Match Preview: Carolina RailHawks Host Tampa Bay Rowdies - North Carolina FC
• Atlanta Travels to Strikers for Match Day 5 - Atlanta Silverbacks
• Capital Area RailHawks Academy U-18 Player Matthew Gianfortone Signs Amateur Contract - North Carolina FC
• Silverbacks, Soccer in the Streets Team Up - Atlanta Silverbacks
• Cosmos Goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer Named NASL Player of the Month - NASL
• FCE Match Preview & Press Notes: vs Minnesota United FC (May 3, 2015) - FC Edmonton
• Rowdies Hire USL Founder Francisco Marcos to Lead International Development Effort - Tampa Bay Rowdies
• Armada FC Signs Canadian Prodigy Chaim Roserie - Jacksonville Armada FC
• Armada FC Hosts Defending NASL Champion San Antonio this Saturday at Community First Park - Jacksonville Armada FC

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