NASL Awards Pedro Mendes Weekly Honor

August 10, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


NEW YORK - Since joining the Atlanta Silverbacks (5-7-6, 22 points Combined Table) in between the Spring and Fall Seasons, striker Pedro Mendes has been the catalyst in Atlanta's turnaround. After finishing the Spring 11th in the table, the Silverbacks have mounted a run of form with only two dropped results in eight matches - thanks largely to the 25-year-old Brazilian's five goals and two assists. His production in Week 6 of the Fall season - including three goals and an assist as Atlanta downed the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and drew the San Antonio Scorpions - earned Pedro the NASL Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday.

"I'm happy, you know," Pedro said. "I've been working hard; all of our guys have been working at such an elite level in training and in matches. The goals that have been scored are not because of just one person - the build up that creates the goal comes from all 11 guys on the field."

The league-wide honor is the third of Pedro's career. He received the recognition twice during his first stint in the Silverbacks strip during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

"It's always good to be recognized for your work," Pedro said "It means that your peers, fans and the league are noticing what you're producing. I've received Player of the Week awards before, but it never gets old. It's definitely special this time, because of the team and coaches and the challenges we are all facing after the Spring Season. We must be doing something right."

In the Silverbacks midweek match against the Strikers, Pedro's brace cemented three points for Atlanta. He netted a pair of acrobatic volleys in the Silverbacks' third consecutive victory, pinging the crossbar for his first goal of the match off a Jaime Chavez throughball and beating Fort Lauderdale's defense with a half-volley for the eventual game-winner. Against San Antonio on Saturday, Pedro continued his clinical finishing with the match's first goal off a feed by Kyle Porter. He closed the night with an assist on Jaime Chavez's goal - the Silverbacks' second go-ahead goal of the match.

"So many adjectives come to mind when thinking about Pedro," Silverbacks coach Gary Smith said. "He's been exceptional when it comes to getting himself prepared - both physically and mentally. With five goals in six games, Pedro's chemistry with the other lads, his work ethic and his sheer quality are on full display right now."

Since re-joining Atlanta, Pedro has led the Silverbacks on a 4-2-1 run of results, climbing the Fall table after an opening loss to Tampa Bay. Atlanta sits just five points below the league-leading Ottawa Fury. With a dozen matches remaining in the regular season, Atlanta has soared from last place to sixth - just one point outside of the playoffs, if the season ended today.

"I came in with something to prove (after signing before the Fall Season," Pedro said. "It can be difficult for players to come in to a team that's already set up, but my mindset was to put my head down and work hard and hopefully the games would show some production. It's worked out very well to this point, and although everything is working right now, it can be a long season and we have specific goals as a team (like making the playoffs) - I'm just trying to do my part to accomplish them."

The Silverbacks and Pedro next travel to Jacksonville Armada FC for the first time this season for an Aug. 15 showdown (7:30 p.m. | ESPN3). The two teams have already collided twice this season, drawing 1-1 in the Spring and with the Silverbacks winning, 1-0, already this Fall at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

Atlanta returns home on Aug. 22 to host Indy Eleven at Atlanta Silverbacks Park (7:30 p.m.).



North American Soccer League Stories from August 10, 2015


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