Silverbacks Bring Two-Game Winning Streak to Fort Lauderdale

May 9, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The Atlanta Silverbacks aren't the only ones heading into Saturday night's matchup in Fort Lauderdale on a two-game winning streak. The Strikers have also won two straight, and sit three points ahead of the Silverbacks in the NASL Spring Season standings. The two clubs meet at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in a crucial league match that could have major title race implications.

Winners of three of their first four games, the Strikers have surprised many with the way they have come out of the gate in 2014. Aside from their 4-1 loss to the Carolina RailHawks in mid-April, the Strikers have been impressive. Head Coach Gunter Kronsteiner's team sits just three points behind first-place Minnesota United FC, who have taken all 12 points from their first four games.

The Silverbacks go into Saturday's matchup just as hot as the Strikers, with successive wins over the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury FC to show for it. Technical Director Eric Wynalda's team has scored five goals in the last two games, and more importantly, they have only conceded two. A road win over the Strikers on Saturday night would pull them even with their opponents on nine points, and if Minnesota were to stumble, the Silverbacks could be within three points of first place before the end of the weekend.

Before looking ahead too far, Wynalda's team has to focus on getting a result away from home against the Strikers. The South Florida side has tallied six goals in the last 180 minutes of play, with midfielders Fafa Picault and Martin Nunez serving as the main catalysts. The pair has each scored two goals in their last two games, as has Silverbacks forwards Jaime Chavez and Deon McCaulay.

With all of these attacking players entering Saturday's game on scoring streaks, one might wonder if the game could feature quite a few goals. The defensive units from both teams have been much improved over the last few games, however. Both the Silverbacks and Strikers have conceded four goals in a single loss this season, but over the last two games, both sides have tightened things up across the back line. For the Silverbacks, the introduction of 6-foot-3 defender Ryan Roushandel has been key. The same can be said for rookie defender Edgar Espinoza, who has turned heads with his physical, yet tidy defensive play in his first four games as a professional.

The Silverbacks have been fielding lineups filled with plenty of youth, while the Strikers have been relying on much more experience and veteran leadership. Goalkeeper Oka Nikolov and forward Marius Ebbers each spent years playing in the German Bundesliga, and defender Ivan Guerrero and midfielder Chris Nurse contribute years of experience playing in Major League Soccer and England respectively.

These two sides played each other four times last season, and split the series right down the middle. The Silverbacks won the first two matchups, once away and once at home, in NASL Spring Season play, while the Strikers returned the favor in the NASL Fall Season.

Saturday night's game is a battle between two teams that were perhaps undervalued by pundits going into the season, and each side will look to continue their winning streak and ascension up the NASL Spring Season standings. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. and the game can be seen live online at NASLLive.com. Fans that would like to watch the game together can join the club at its Official Away Game Viewing Party Location, the Elder Tree Public House, in East Atlanta Village. The party will feature food and drink specials, giveaways, and more.



North American Soccer League Stories from May 9, 2014


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