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Match Day 1: Silverbacks vs. Indy Eleven

April 3, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA -- Clean slates greet both the Atlanta Silverbacks and Indy Eleven as the North American Soccer League clubs open the 2015 Spring Season. Bottom of the combined league table in 2014 after a Soccer Bowl appearance the previous year, the Silverbacks begin what they'll hope is a redemptive league effort against Indy at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday at Silverbacks Park. First-year Atlanta head coach Gary Smith will lead the Silverbacks and the reworked roster -- featuring just four returners from 2014 -- into his first NASL game. Unbeaten in six preseason matches, Atlanta's squad development will be further tested when Indy's visit to Silverbacks Park raises the stakes.

"The first game of the season, for all players, is an exciting one," Smith said. "Many of them haven't played here in a competitive league match, so they'll be extremely excited to play in front of the home crowd. I suspect they'll all want to impress and that there will be a lot of energy and enthusiasm."

Chaos has been a common theme throughout the teams' three-game history. With a 1-1-1 head-to-head record since Indy entered NASL play in 2015, Indy and Atlanta have seen six penalty kicks awarded -- including four in last May's 3-3 draw in Atlanta. The teams have combined for two red cards, 14 cautions and 15 goals in those three meetings.

"I would think there are a lot of lessons to be taken from last year," Smith said. "They improved a lot during the second half of the season, which bodes well for their group and franchise."

Multiple NASL debuts are on tap for the Silverbacks, especially among a group of defenders that features no returners. Wearing the armband for the Silverbacks in his first competitive appearance stateside, center back Simon Mensing will anchor a back line stocked with newcomers intent on remedying Atlanta's 50 goals allowed in 2014. Joining the captain will be former center back Rauwshan McKenzie, left back Paul Black and right back Kyle Miller.

"We've worked exceptionally hard over the preseason period," Mensing said. "We've put in some good performances, and the whole of that was for the opening game. It can't come quick enough."

Protecting the net behind Mensing and the other defenders, rookie goalkeeper C.J. Cochran will make his NASL debut after Steward Ceus' preseason knee injury forced a minor surgery. Cochran, a Georgia State alumnus who finished his Panthers playing career in 2014, confidently took the reins when Ceus went out, allowing one goal in his four preseason starts.

Incoming NASL veterans Michael Reed and Dominic Oppong will play deeper roles in midfield, looking to control the center of the pitch. Ahead of them, fellow newcomers like U.S. Open Cup-winner and former D.C. United winger Kyle Porter, 2013 NASL Best XI selection Hans Denissen and Jon Okafor will hope to link with forwards and influence attacking play.

Atlanta scored multiple goals in three of the preseason exhibitions, but the Spring Season will bring more experienced opposition for the Silverbacks' attackers. Matt Horth, the Silverbacks' first-ever NASL goal-scorer in 2011, rejoined Atlanta during the offseason and tallied two goals in the Club's unbeaten preseason, tying him with last season's leading scorer Jaime Chavez and Shaka Bangura for the preseason club lead.

"I've been delighted with the way the guys have taken the information and the physical work on," said Smith. "Getting off to a good start against Indy would just reinforce what we've done this whole preseason."

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