Silverbacks Defeat Impact for First Win of Season

Published on June 8, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The Atlanta Silverbacks earned their first win of the season Wednesday night, defeating the MLS-bound Montreal Impact, 2-1, at Atlanta Silverbacks Park before a crowd of almost 3,000 fans.

Atlanta (1-2-7) took the lead in the 13th minute when defender Mario Pérez gained possession in the Montreal box; he took the ball to the end line and crossed it to forward Raphael Cox. Cox slotted the ball low to the far post to give Atlanta the lead ending the team's five-game scoreless streak.

After settling into the game, both teams missed close opportunities: In the 25th minute, Silverbacks midfielder Ciaran O'Brien rocketed a shot from 20 yards out from goal, but his attempt went high of William Gaudette's goal. Five minutes later, Montreal forward Mignane Diouf was played in behind the Silverbacks defense, but he sent his chip high of the goal.

A Gaudette mistake gifted the Silverbacks their second goal of the game. Cox pressured the goalkeeper, forcing Gaudette to kick the ball straight into him. Cox then gathered the ball on the end line and fed it to forward Matt Horth, who buried the pass into the net for the two-goal lead.

In the 43rd minute, Montreal (2-2-5) got on the scoreboard when substitute Idriss Ech Chergui crossed the ball from the right side to Diouf at the far post. Diouf's header hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced into Atlanta's goal.

Lightning forced the game to be suspended in the 54th minute; when play resumed, the Silverbacks controlled possession, en route to a season-high shot total of 17.

In the 84th minute, Impact substitute Zurab Tsiskaridze almost found a goal when his attempted cross rattled the crossbar on its way out of bounds. Four minutes later, midfielder Antonio Ribiero was sent off for his second yellow card of the game after he fouled Robertson in the 88th minute.

The game marked the Silverbacks' first win of the season, as well as the first time the team scored more than one goal in a game this season.

The Silverbacks begin a two-game road trip next week, playing at FC Tampa Bay June 12 and visiting the Puerto Rico Islanders June 19. The team returns home to host the league-leading Carolina RailHawks on June 25 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

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