Silverbacks Earn 2-2 Draw in Montreal

Published on July 17, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


MONTREAL (July 17, 2011) - The Atlanta Silverbacks and the MLS-bound Montreal Impact played to a 2-2 draw Sunday afternoon.

On a hot day at Montreal's Saputo Stadium, the Silverbacks (2-11-3) put immediate pressure on the Impact (2-8-6). In the fourth minute, midfielder Ciaran O'Brien nearly duplicated his free-kick goal from last week's win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, but Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush made a quick-reaction save and punched the ball wide.

The Silverbacks attack continued to press, and 13 minutes later, forward Matt Horth converted a cross from defender Tyler Ruthven. Horth's low shot rang off the post and past Bush to give the Silverbacks an early 1-0 lead.

After the Silverbacks' opening goal, the goalkeeper controlled the excitement in the first half. Silverbacks goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer denied Impact midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer from point-blank range in the 20th minute, and Bush punched a close-range shot from Horth just wide in the 28th minute.

Three minutes before the break, the Impact put away one of their only scoring chances of the first half. A cross from forward Mignane Diouf found forward Eduardo Sebrango, who powered a shot past Maurer from the middle of the penalty area to even the score, 1-1.

The Impact's offense came on stronger after halftime, but the Silverbacks reclaimed the lead. A cross from midfielder Raphael Cox found the head of Horth, who buried his second goal of the game to put the Silverbacks ahead 2-1. The goal brought Horth's season total to six, which ties him for fourth in the league.

Impact forward Ali Gerba threatened the Silverbacks' lead when he had a breakaway opportunity in the 79th minute, but his shot went wide of Maurer's goal. The home team, however, found the equalizer in stoppage time. After winning a corner kick, midfielder Anthony Le Gall lifted a cross into the box that found Sebrango, who headed it into the net for the game-tying goal.

The tie ended a two-game road trip for the Silverbacks, who combined to earn four points against the Strikers and Impact. The Silverbacks return home to play FC Tampa Bay at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on July 23. For tickets, visit atlantasilverbacks.com.

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