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Silverbacks Earn Second Straight Win, Top Ottawa Fury 2-1

May 3, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Silverbacks fans went home happy on Saturday night after watching their team top the Ottawa Fury, 2-1, on a beautiful night at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

Forwards Deon McCaulay and Jaime Chavez scored for the second straight week, giving the Silverbacks a huge three points before the team embarks on a three-game road trip.

Silverbacks Technical Director Eric Wynalda named a largely unchanged lineup from the one that topped the Tampa Bay Rowdies on the road last week, with the only changes being goalkeeper Eric Ati and midfielder Junior Burgos starting in place of Derby Carrillo and Pablo Cruz.

The first half of Saturday night's matchup in Atlanta was played very evenly. Each side had several quality scoring opportunities, with McCaulay serving as the only one to actually finish one.

In the 14th minute, Fury midfielder Hamza Elias, who was very active all night long, nearly put his team up early. Elias poked a shot towards goal, but an onrushing Eric Ati was there to stop it for the Silverbacks.

Just seconds later, on the other end, McCaulay came just as close, forcing Fury goalkeeper Devala Gorrick into an impressive reaction save.

The Fury had the next chance through Brazilian forward Vini Dantas. Ati was again forced to come out of his goal, and stopped not one, but two efforts from Dantas.

The breakthrough finally came in the 44th minute, and it was midfielder Jesus Gonzalez who started the move that got the goal. Gonzalez's long ball found the head of forward Jaime Chavez, who nodded it across goal for McCaulay to finish.

The Silverbacks picked up right where they left off, starting the second half with a bang. Midfielder Blair Gavin found the head of Chavez, who nodded a header off the hands of Gorrick and into the net for a 2-0 lead in the 50th minute.

After Chavez's goal, the Silverbacks really took control. The visiting Fury had plenty of difficulty completing passes in the Silverbacks' defensive half, giving the home side plenty of counter-attacking opportunities.

One of those opportunities nearly lead to a third goal in the 86th minute, as substitute midfielder Kwadwo Poku set up McCaulay, whose shot was deflected inches wide of the post.

The Fury still had a goal in them, though, and it led to a nervy finish for the home fans. Midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic found the head of defender Omar Jarun, an Atlanta native and former Silverbacks player. Jarun's header beat Ati and gave the visitors hope.

It wasn't to be for the Fury, however. McCaulay again came inches close to his second goal of the game just before the final whistle, and that killed off any hope of a comeback for the visitors.

The Silverbacks will now take to the road for three straight away games, making Saturday night's home win even more key. The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are up next, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. at Lockhart Stadium. The game can be seen live online at NASLLive.com.

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