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Silverbacks' Historic U.S. Open Cup Run Ends with 3-1 Loss to Fire

July 9, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, Ga. (July 9, 2014) - The Atlanta Silverbacks' historic run in the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup came to an end on Wednesday night, as the team fell to Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire, 3-1, in front of a standing room only crowd of 5,327 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

A goal from Silverbacks forward Deon McCaulay made the score 1-1 early in the second half, but late strikes from Fire midfielders Jeff Larentowicz and Alex put the game out of reach for the Silverbacks.

The Silverbacks were forced to make some changes to the lineup following their 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids in the Cup's fifth round. Midfielders Borfor Carr and Kwadwo Poku and forward Jaime Chavez were all suspended due to red cards received in that game, as were technical director Eric Wynalda and Ricardo Montoya. Silverbacks Reserves Head Coach Alejandro Pombo took the helm on Wednesday, giving Ferrety Sousa, Jesus Gonzalez, and McCaulay starts in place of the suspended players.

The Fire fielded a first-choice lineup featuring the likes of Sean Johnson, Mike Magee, Harry Shipp, and Larentowicz, but they were the side that came out of the gate a bit more sluggish. Inside five minutes, Silverbacks midfielder Junior Sandoval found himself in a one-on-one opportunity with Johnson, but the U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper, an Atlanta native, was there to stone the Honduran with a big save.

In the 11th minute, the Fire got their first opportunity of the game, with forward Quincy Amarikwa dancing through the penalty area and nearly finding Magee in front of the net. Silverbacks defender Mike Randolph was there to frantically clear the ball away before it reached Magee, though.

The Silverbacks didn't look like a team missing three of their best players, and in the 21st minute, they tested Johnson again. This time it was through midfielder Junior Burgos, who curled an effort towards the far corner. Johnson was there again, though, tipping it just over the crossbar.

The game changed in a different way in the 31st minute when referee Edvin Jurisevic brandished two red cards, sending off Magee and Gonzalez. The two appeared to simultaneously try and headbutt each other, warranting red cards for both players. With each team playing with 10 players, the first half ended without any further chances for either side.

The Fire didn't waste any time getting on the board in the second half. Sousa committed a foul a few yards outside the penalty area in the corner, giving Shipp a chance to send in a dangerous free kick. The ball that was played in met the foot of Amarikwa, who forced a good save from Silverbacks goalkeeper Derby Carrillo. The Fire forward then found the rebound, easily putting it away for a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute.

The Silverbacks fought back quickly, though, equalizing just minutes later. Sandoval was played in on goal and smartly squared the ball for McCaulay, who couldn't miss from eight yards out. The goal was McCaulay's first in over a month, tying the game at 1-1 in the 54th minute.

The home side continued to put pressure on the Fire's back line, creating several chances thoughout the second half. Head Coach Frank Yallop's side had the finishing touches in front of goal, however, and that started to show in the final minutes.

The Fire earned a penalty kick in the 81st minute, giving them a chance to get the go-ahead goal. Substitute forward Matt Fondy was taken down in the penalty area by Randolph, and Larentowicz dispatched the ensuing penalty to give his team a 2-1 lead in the 82nd minute.

Not long after Silverbacks midfielder Alex Harlley nearly made it 2-2 in the 84th minute with a beautiful individual effort, the Fire counterattacked for their third goal. Substitute midfielder Alex put away a rebound that followed another terrific save by Carrillo, making the score 3-1 and putting an end to the Silverbacks' historic Cup run.

The Silverbacks now get set to kick off the NASL Fall Season, visiting the Tampa Bay Rowdies this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen live online at NASLLive.com.

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