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Electric 2nd Half Finishes Even for Atlanta on the Road

July 18, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Atlanta Silverbacks and Fort Lauderdale Strikers met at Lockhart Stadium for the second time in two months, again finishing knotted in a draw. An exquisite Jaime Chavez overhead kick headlined an adrenaline-filled second half that produced the 2-2 finish.

"We saw things we wanted to change after that first half, and credit to the team for making those changes in the second half," Silverbacks coach Gary Smith said. "Our substitutes made massive impacts once they came in. Although it could have ended differently, we can't be entirely upset to leave here with a point."

A pedestrian first half spawned a sensational final 45 minutes, including four goals, two cautions, a converted penalty kick and a headed effort called back after an attacking foul inside the box.

Coming out of the intermission, Fort Lauderdale struck first. A 55th minute finish by an on-rushing Marlon Freitas put the home side ahead. PC delivered a weighted ball to the top of the 18-yard box, requiring just the slightest flick on by Freitas. His shirtless celebration earned him a caution, also allowing the Silverbacks to bring in an impact substitution: forward Pedro Mendes entered for Shaka Bangura.

Less than 10 minutes later, Smith swapped in the attack-minded Junior Burgos for Michal Mravec. Seconds after Burgos was introduced, Atlanta equalized with Chavez's bicycle kick inside the 6-yard box. Paul Black swung the corner kick across the goalmouth, where Simon Mensing redirected the ball onto Chavez's flipping left foot.

The strike was Chavez's second in NASL play and third in all competitions; it was Black's second assist.

The Silverbacks' super substitutes - Burgos and Pedro - connected 11 minutes later to take the 2-1 lead. Wingback Kosuke Kimura fed Burgos on the far touchline from about 30 yards away. Burgos took one sniper-specific touch, sending a looping cross to Pedro as he split the Strikers center backs. The cross met Pedro's left foot to beat Josh Ford for his first goal in his second stretch with the Silverbacks.

The match's final 15 minutes featured a forward-thrusting home side. They found their reward in the 90th minute when Kimura forced his mark to the endline but the two entangled, resulting in a spot kick for the Strikers. Walter Ramirez pushed his strike off the post and into the net.

Three minutes into the five additional, Fort Lauderdale thought they scored to claim all three points. Jose Angulo's headed effort was called back after a whistle for pushing off on Kimura.

With the road draw, Atlanta must next prepare for a two-match Canadian tour - with visits to Ottawa Fury FC on July 22 (7:30 p.m. | ONE World Sports) and FC Edmonton on July 26 (4 p.m. | ESPN3).

The Silverbacks return to Atlanta Silverbacks Park on Aug. 5 for a rematch with the Strikers (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS).

Match Facts:

Silverbacks goalkeeper Steward Ceus remained away for international duty with Haiti, competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals on Saturday night against Jamaica; Jamaica won, 1-0, in Baltimore. Rookie C.J. Cochran made his fifth start to replace Ceus.

Atlanta began a four-game away series against Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. The Silverbacks face Ottawa Fury FC on July 22, FC Edmonton on July 26 and Indy Eleven on Aug. 1 before finally returning to Atlanta Silverbacks Park on Aug. 5 to host the same Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Atlanta featured three players - all defenders - that have started every match of the 2015 NASL combined season: Paul Black, Simon Mensing, Rauwshan McKenzie.

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