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Silverbacks Fall to Indy Eleven at Home 2-1

September 6, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The Atlanta Silverbacks fell to Indy Eleven, 2-1, Saturday night in front a sell out crowd of 5,000 fans at Silverbacks Park. The visitors used first half goals from Jermaine Johnson and Blake Smith to build a lead before Silverbacks midfielder Blair Gavin redirected a Pablo Cruz free kick just before the halftime break.

After an opening 15 minutes that would see both sides trade chances of equal quality, it was Indy Eleven that would get on the board first through Johnson. The Jamaican would be played behind the Atlanta backline by a Sergio Peña through ball, which he carried just into the area before slotting a low shot inside the far left post to give the visitors the early 1-0 advantage.

Atlanta found ample attacking opportunities down the flanks as the half continued on, but saw several shots miss frame and dangerous crosses cleared away. The Silverbacks paid for a missed chance off a corner kick in the 37th minute, when Smith finished off a textbook counter attack, knocking home Mike Ambersley's early cross to double the Indy Eleven advantage to 2-0.

Atlanta fought to the end of the first half and was rewarded in the 45th minute with Gavin's first goal of the season. After a foul outside the corner of the Indy Eleven penalty area, Pablo Cruz served into the heart of the area, where an unmarked Gavin redirected home to cut the Indy Eleven lead to 2-1 heading into the halftime break.

Just five minutes into the second half Indy Eleven would have a golden opportunity to go back up a pair when Edgar Espinoza was called for a hand ball on Peña's cross inside the area to set up a penalty kick. However, Silverbacks goalkeeper Eric Ati dove and stopped Kleberson's attempt.

The Silverbacks would see more and more of the ball as the second half ticked away, with Poku often serving as the catalyst and giving the home side hope down the right flank. However, Eleven goalkeeper Kristian Nicht was on the spot when he needed to be, making six saves on the night, including three at his near post in the final 15 minutes to keep the scoreline at 2-1 for the visitors.

The Silverbacks head to NY next weekend to face the Cosmos before returning home on September 20 to host the Ottowa Fury.



North American Soccer League Stories from September 6, 2014


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