Eddies Make Final Visit to Atlanta in 2015

August 28, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta Silverbacks (5-8-7, 23 points)

vs. FC Edmonton (6-6-8, 24 points)

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 29

Where: Atlanta Silverbacks Park

Watch: ESPN3 with a subscriber log-in

Tickets

What to Watch:

1. Replacing the Captain. Silverbacks skipper Simon Mensing will face a ban against the Eddies after earning two yellow cards last weekend. His suspension leaves head coach Gary Smith two massive questions for his lineup selection Saturday: Who wears the armband and who steps into the back line? Assuming Smith doesn't tinker with his midfield, Mensing's defensive replacement might Saturday could come from Abdul Bangura and Mo Issahaku, who have each stepped into action at points during the Fall Season. As far as who captains the side, Smith hasn't yet announced his choice, but the squad has enough veteran leadership that whoever gets the nod will be plenty capable.

2. Can the Silverbacks continue unbeaten run at home? It's been 82 days since a visiting team came into Silverbacks Park and left with all three points, and that defeat - to San Antonio in the Spring Season - was the only occasion in 2015 that the Silverbacks didn't take at least a point from the home turf. As the furthest geographic opponent from Atlanta, Edmonton's task will be even harder when factoring in the travel demands of flying from Alberta. Can the Silverbacks capitalize on the home field enough to take three points for themselves in a critical Fall Season encounter?

3. Key opponents: Lance Laing and Tomi Ameobi. Despite periodical time away from the pitch for Edmonton - injury for Amoebi and Jamaican national team duty for Laing - both of Edmonton's most dangerous attackers have produced enough scoring (7 goals apiece) to find themselves within the top four of NASL's scoring charts. With Laing running the flank and the 6-foot-3 Ameobi occupying central defenders, the pair of Eddies will likely be Smith's main strategic focus for Saturday night.

2015 Season series:

May 24 - Eddies 4, Silverbacks 2

Powered by goals from Laing, Ritchie Jones and Daryl Fordyce, FC Edmonton jumped out to a three-goal lead at Clarke Field in the Spring Season. Goals from Jaime Chavez and defender Chris Christian - currently on loan to Switchbacks FC in USL - in the final 15 minutes gave the visitors a fighting chance, but that's as close as Atlanta came in the late May match.

July 26 - Silverbacks 3, Eddies 1

Chavez turned in a brace and an assist as part of a breakout attacking performance to lead Atlanta to a 3-1 road victory at Clarke Field. Chavez scored the first two before Eddies striker Tomi Ameobi brought the hosts within a single goal in the final five minutes. In the 88th minute, Shaka Bangura beat Edmonton's offside trap to receive a pass from Chavez and dribble past Eddies goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel to seal the deal.

Jaime Chavez returns to NASL Team of the Week

Atlanta forward Jaime Chavez represented the Silverbacks in NASL's Team of the Week for his attacking contributions last weekend against Indy Eleven. Chavez forced Indy into an own goal with a perfectly-weighted chip shot from the end line and had another goal disallowed during the match. With his latest Team of the Week inclusion, Atlanta's No. 9 finds a spot in the weekly Best XI for the third time in eight weeks during the Fall Season

Silverbacks welcome students for Back to School Night

As schools across the metro Atlanta area get back in session for a new semester, the Silverbacks will host Back to School Night for Saturday's match against FC Edmonton at Silverbacks Park. A "Pay Your Age" special gets children 8-13 years old advance tickets at a special rate, and additional tickets beyond that will come at a 10% discount. For more information on the Back to School promotion, contact the Club's ticket office at (404) 969-4900.

Around the League

Saturday, August 29

Ottawa Fury FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

7 p.m. | ET ESPN3

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Indy Eleven

7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN3

Jacksonville Armada FC vs. San Antonio Scorpions

7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN3

Sunday, August 30

New York Cosmos vs. Carolina RailHawks

4 p.m. ET | ESPN3/OWS



North American Soccer League Stories from August 28, 2015


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