Preview: Silverbacks Visit NY Cosmos Tonight

September 13, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, Ga. (Sept. 13, 2014) - The Atlanta Silverbacks have had decent success gaining points on the road this year, something that should not be overlooked on Saturday when they visit the NY Cosmos (7:00 PM ET, NASLlive.com).

But in order to return to Atlanta with a win, or draw, they'll have to find answers to a couple of roster question marks. * OFFICIAL VIEWING PARTY: THE ELDER TREE (https://www.facebook.com/events/502948443150609/)

Holding midfielder Blair Gavin - who scored his first goal last week against Indy Eleven - will miss the match to attend to a family event that has long been planned. Head coach Jason Smith worked Jesus Gonzalez, Yanny Rivera, and Lucas Paulini in that role throughout the week of training, so it's likely one of those players gets the nod against the Cosmos.

Borfor Carr, who started the past two games at right back, picked up a knock at training this week and Smith has ruled him out for the weekend. Ferrety Sousa and Paulini have also started out wide right this year, as had Edgar Espinoza, who has been a first-choice center back the past four matches. * NEXT HOME GAME: SEPT. 20 vs OTTOWA FURY ta-sil&shopperContext&caller&appCode)

Finally, forward Deon McCaulay won't be available despite his national team, Belize, being eliminated from the Central American Cup. And neither will Junior Burgos, who remains with El Salvador for Saturday's third place game. It was Burgos who scored a ridiculous 30-yard free kick against NY a few weeks ago in Atlanta.

2014 NASL RECORDS:

Atlanta Silverbacks 3W-2D-4L, 11 pts. in Fall, 6-3-9, 21 pts. in Combined Standings; Home: 2W-2D-4L; Road: 4W-1D-5L

NY Cosmos 3W-4D-3L, 13 pts. in NASL Fall, 9-5-5, 32 pts. in Combined Standings; Home: 4W-3D-3L; Road: 5W-2D-2L

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

The Silverbacks have yet to defeat NY since they started the series in 2013. After tying the first-ever meeting, 1-1, on Sept. 8, 2013 in NY, the Cosmos have won four straight - including the 2013 NASL title game in Atlanta, the 2014 season opener (4-0) in NY, and the rain-delayed match at Silverbacks Park last month (2-1).

The two matches this year have had their own wild headlines. The first was a Cosmos 4-0 rout in NY to kick off the season. The last, in Atlanta in August, saw NY come from behind after a three and a half hour weather delay to win, 2-1, in match that ended after 1 a.m. - and which featured goal-of-the-year-worthy strikes from Atlanta's Junior Burgos and NY's Marcos Senna.

ON THE ROAD: For the season Atlanta has taken points in five of the 10 road games, including four of the last six. In the four road wins, Atlanta has outscored the opponent 11-4.

NY has won only four of its 10 home matches, though that includes the season opening win over the Silverbacks. That said, they are on a three-game unbeaten streak at home, having tied Edmonton and Minnesota in NY before last weekend's home win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.



North American Soccer League Stories from September 13, 2014


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