FC Edmonton Visits Atlanta for Saturday Skirmish

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


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Silverbacks (5-8-7, 23 points Combined Table) face FC Edmonton (6-6-8, 24 points) this Saturday (7:30 p.m.), presented by Univison, in an effort to gain three points in a hotly contested table.

Atlanta returns to Atlanta Silverbacks Park for the second weekend in a row, this time against an up-and-down Eddies team. Last Saturday saw a crazy game involving two red cards, a penalty kick, and an own goal that led to a 1-1 draw between the Silverbacks and visiting Indy Eleven.

On the other side of the field, Edmonton's three-game unbeaten streak was halted by a staunch Fort Lauderdale defense on Sunday afternoon. After allowing a 58th minute penalty by Stefano Pinho, the Eddies allowed one more from the run of play to end the game 2-0.

The three-game series, over the course of Spring and Fall Seasons, between Atlanta and Edmonton have been slugfests, resulting in 10 goals in two matches. With Atlanta forwards Jaime Chavez and Pedro Mendes finally getting their scoring legs, Saturday's third and final match against the Canadians could be yet another thriller.

The Silverbacks' defense will have their hands full as the square off against one of the NASL's best players this season in Lance Laing. The speedy Jamaican winger has accounted for an unbelievable seven goals and six assists. He won't be alone, though. The Eddies' have attacking help in the form of 6-foot-3 forward Tomi Ameobi, who hasn't done too shabby with seven goals as well.

One player who won't be helping stop the quick Eddies is the Silverbacks' captain, Simon Mensing. Mensing will be unable to dress for the match after yellow card accumulation led to his dismissal in last week's match.

To make things even more interesting, both Edmonton - sixth in the overall standings - and Atlanta - seventh in the overall standings - are only separated by one point in the Combined Standings. In a table where the last place team is only six points away from a playoff position, Saturday's match could be a crucial one in the long term.

Regardless of Mensing's absence and the playoff implications, Saturday's final game against the Eddies is sure to be a good one and not one to miss.



North American Soccer League Stories from August 28, 2015


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