Pair of 2nd Half Goals Come Up Short for Silverbacks

May 24, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - A pair of point-blank strikes in the 4th minute set the tone for Sunday afternoon's meeting between FC Edmonton and the Atlanta Silverbacks at Clarke Field. The Silverbacks were the aggressors throughout the majority of the match, but Edmonton and goalkeeper John Smits made the necessary saves to survive, 4-2.

"It is a disappointing result," Silverbacks head coach Gary Smith said. "We opened up and played a strong first half, with chances that - again - didn't find their way into the back of the net. I am happy with the energy and opportunities we created in that first half. The difference in this match was that Edmonton scored on their chances and we couldn't."

Just four minutes into the match, Atlanta fullback and free kick specialist Paul Black sent a bending ball just across the 6-yard box. Atlanta's center backs - first Simon Mensing with a header and then Rauwshan McKenzie on the rebound - rifled back-to-back shots on goal. But Smits saved both.

A quarter of an hour of nearly non-stop Silverbacks possession passed, capped by another Smits save. This time, Matt Horth took on the keeper in a 1-on-1 from the top of the 18-yard box. Horth's shot was true, but Smits pawed it away to keep terms level and scoreless.

The Eddies and Lance Laing broke the silence in the 41st minute, scorching a free kick from the right side past the wall and beyond a diving Steward Ceus. It was his third goal of 2015.

The home side doubled its lead just nine minutes into the second half when Tomi Ameobi connected with Ritchie Jones. Edmonton tripled the tally in the 66th minute when Daryl Fordyce pushed the ball beyond Ceus again.

Atlanta pulled a goal back when 66th-minute substitute Jaime Chavez scored after just 10 minutes on the pitch. Jonathan Okafor sliced down the touchline and into the penalty area, dropping a ball back to fullback Kyle Miller. Miller lifted a cross onto Chavez's outstreched forehead from inside the 6-yard box. It was Chavez's first goal of 2015 after leading Atlanta in 2014.

The Eddies took the goal back with one more of their own in the 85th minute. Kareem Moses finished off a Laing assist ??" good for his fourth of the campaign to lead the NASL - to make it 4-1.

Black, who could have opened the match with an assist, instead closed with one. The Englishman's 88th minute cross into a congested 18-yard box deflected off second-half substitute Chris Christian's head and into the net to slice FC Edmonton's lead in half.

Four minutes of added time failed to produce a Silverbacks comeback, completing just the second loss under Smith.

The Silverbacks begin play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday with a visit to Chattanooga FC (NPSL) at 7:30 p.m. The Silverbacks defeated Chattanooga FC, 5-0, in the third round of the 2014 Open Cup before advancing past two Major League Soccer clubs en route to the quarterfinals of the domestic tournament.

Atlanta will next host the defending NASL champion San Antonio Scorpions on June 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, presented by Reto.



North American Soccer League Stories from May 24, 2015


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