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Silverbacks, Burgos Swing 1-0 Victory

August 29, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - A trademark Junior Burgos free kick leads the Atlanta Silverbacks (6-8-7, 26 points Combined Table) to a, 1-0, win over FC Edmonton (6-6-9, 24 points), extending their undefeated run at Atlanta Silverbacks Park to five games and ending the Eddies' four-game unbeaten run on the road.

"Junior scored an absolute peach of a goal, and the backline played one of their more solid shifts of the year," Silverbacks coach Gary Smith said. "All things considered, this is obviously a great result in a string of games that we probably deserved all the points. Things are moving in a positive direction, and have been in a while, so we will continue to build off that production and mentality."

For the first time in the entirety of the 2015 NASL campaign, the Silverbacks were forced to play without captain Simon Mensing. Mensing's central defensive compatriot, Rauwshan McKenzie, took hold of the armband for Atlanta.

Paul Black, who has been a consistent starter on the left side of the defense, swapped sides against the Eddies, with Abdul Bangura starting in his stead on the right.

The Silverbacks initiated contact, striking a couple not-too-dangerous shots in the first 20 minutes, but making their attack presence known. The Eddies had the first serious opportunity in the 25th minute. After a corner kick went awry, Edmonton's Lance Laing sent a low cross right in front of Steward Ceus' feet. McKenzie deflected the ball out of bounds.

Jaime Chavez, who has done his fair share of scoring against the Eddies this year with three goals, almost had another in the 30th minute. Fighting his way into the 18-yard-box, Chavez attempted to sneak the ball past the keeper. Edmonton's VanOekel fell to the ground quickly, deflecting the shot away.

The dying minutes of the first half was marred by injuries to both sides. After winning a header inside the 18-yard-box, Atlanta's Abdul Bangura and Edmonton's Albert Watson collided heads. Both players fell to the ground and were taken off the field for the final moments of the half.

Pedro Mendes almost sent the Silverbacks up a goal in the 59th minute with a heading attempt. The ball took a bounce and hit the post. It bounced back to Pedro, who popped it up before attempting to bicycle kick the ball back into the net. The ball went over the net.

The Silverbacks had another close encounter only two minutes later as Chavez tried a low-burning cross in front of the keeper's feet, but VanOekel was able to snatch it up. Only 20 minutes into the second half and Atlanta was starting to get more comfortable in the attack.

The Silverbacks continued to knock throughout much of the second half. In the 81st minute, VanOekel finally opened the door. After a foul right outside the 18-yard-box, Junior Burgos curled his trademark free kick over the wall and into the back of the net.

The excitement didn't end there. After coming on in the 69th minute, Shaka Bangura almost increased the goal tally after weaving his way through three defenders and into the 18-yard-box. Bangura's shot went wide.

Young Canadian international Hanson Boakai would provide a few more moments of anxiety for the Silverbacks, but to no avail.



North American Soccer League Stories from August 29, 2015


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