McKenzie's 1st Goal Nominated for Play of the Week

Published on September 29, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


NEW YORK - Atlanta Silverbacks center back Rauwshan McKenzie scored the first goal of his NASL career on Saturday in a six-goal draw against the San Antonio Scorpions. On Tuesday, the League nominated his rotating header for Play of the Week for Week 13.

The 28-year-old defender was brought into the Scorpions 18-yard box as set-piece specialist Junior Burgos towered over a free kick from just right of the center circle in the 23rd minute. Burgos spun the service toward the far post, onto the forehead of a turned-around McKenzie - who had a defender on his hip. The MLS veteran redirected the ball between the post and San Antonio's Daniel Fernandes for the Silverbacks second goal of the match.

If NASL fans vote McKenzie's goal as Play of the Week, it will be the fourth award for the Silverbacks.

The 6-foot-1 central defender has appeared in 39 MLS matches since 2008, nailing down defensive duties for the Kansas City Wizards (2008-09), Real Salt Lake (2010-11), Chivas USA (2012) and the Portland Timbers (2013-14). The 28-year-old was originally drafted by the Kansas City Wizards in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft out of Michigan State - where he earned Freshman All-Big-10 team and 1st Team All-Big-10 honors. Aside from his more than 3,100 MLS minutes, McKenzie played 180 minutes against Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul in two CONCACAF Champions League appearances for Real Salt Lake and one for Portland - where he scored his first career goal in a 4-2 victory over CD Olimpia. He also helped the Timbers claim a pair of international club friendlies - both 1-0 victories over Mexico's Monarcas Morelia and the English Premier League's Norwich City.

In NASL play, McKenzie is tied for the league's seventh most minutes played. He's started all 24 matches that he's appeared in.

The Silverbacks open Match Day 26 at the New York Cosmos on Oct. 4 (5 p.m. | ONEWorld Sports) before returning to Atlanta Silverbacks Park for a rematch between the same two teams just three days later, on Oct. 7 (7:30 p.m.). Atlanta (7-9-9, 30 points) sits just three points outside of the fourth and final posteason berth with five matches left to play.

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