Silverbacks Grind out Tough Road Win in Edmonton

Published on May 24, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - The Atlanta Silverbacks snapped a two-game losing streak on Saturday night, earning a hard-fought 2-1 win over FC Edmonton at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.

Second-half goals from forward Jaime Chavez and midfielder Kwadwo Poku were enough to give the Silverbacks (3-0-4) their third win of the season and give them momentum going into Wednesday night's U.S. Open Cup game against Chattanooga FC.

The Silverbacks made a few changes to the lineup following last weekend's 2-0 road loss to the Carolina RailHawks. Goalkeeper Derby Carrillo, defender Ramiro Canovas, midfielder Pablo Cruz, and forward Jaime Chavez all returned to the starting lineup, replacing Eric Ati, Edgar Espinoza, Janny Rivera, and Jesus Gonzalez.

Saturday night's affair started off slowly, with both teams struggling to maintain significant possession. The Silverbacks tested FC Edmonton goalkeeper John Smits inside the first minute when Deon McCaulay's header was directed on goal, however, it wasn't anything to threaten the home side.

The Silverbacks have had a habit of committing fouls just outside of their own penalty area, and it was no different in the first half, with defender Mike Randolph giving the Canadians a huge opportunity in the 20^th minute. Thankfully for the Silverbacks, FC Edmonton defender Lance Laing blasted his 20-yard effort well over the crossbar.

It was back and forth play throughout the first half, and in the 40^th minute, FC Edmonton nearly made the breakthrough. Forward Frank Jonke was played in on goal, but Carrillo was alert and came off his line to extinguish the close-range effort. Two minutes later, the Silverbacks nearly found the net as defender Ryan Roushandel's powerful 35-yard effort fizzled inches wide of the post.

The second half was far more lively than the first, and it took the Silverbacks just six minutes to get on the scoreboard. Midfielder Kwadwo Poku saw his shot get deflected inside the penalty area, but the ball fell right to Chavez, who controlled it and fired it past Smits to give his team a 1-0 lead in the 51^st minute.

FC Edmonton nearly equalized just four minutes later, but Carrillo came up with a key save on forward Daryl Fordyce to keep the game scoreless. The home side would get their equalizer eventually, however, with former Silverbacks midfielder Horace James coming back to haunt his old club. The Jamaican converted a difficult flicked finish just minutes after entering the game as a substitute, evening the score at 1-1 in the 76^th minute.

It was the Silverbacks night, though. Poku, who was arguably the best player on the field on Saturday night, dribbled to his right and rifled a shot past a diving Smits to reclaim the lead in the 80^th minute. The Ghanaian's first goal of the season would prove to be enough, giving the Silverbacks their third win of the season and some momentum going into Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup fixture at Chattanooga FC.

The Silverbacks return home next Saturday, hosting first-place Minnesota United FC at 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. To purchase tickets, call the ticket office at 404-969-4900 or visit atlantasilverbacksfc.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 24, 2014


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