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Silverbacks Host Loons with Home Unbeaten Streak intact

September 14, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - After a game away from Atlanta Silverbacks Park, the Atlanta Silverbacks (6-8-8, 26 points Combined Table) begin a two-game home stint on Tuesday against the surging Minnesota United (9-9-4, 36 points). The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. With the Loons expected to join Major League Soccer as an expansion side in 2018, bragging rights are at a premium.

The Silverbacks have just eight games left in the 2015 NASL Season, sitting four points outside of a playoff position. Five of Atlanta's last eight games will be played at Silverbacks Park and the Silverbacks are certainly looking to continue the positive home form they've had for most of the Fall Season, having not suffered a defeat at home since June 6 - a span of more than 100 days.

Atlanta hasn't lost in "The Jungle" since their Spring Season game against the San Antonio Scorpions. Last week, the Silverbacks traveled to WakeMed Soccer Park where they lost, 2-0, to the Carolina RailHawks. Plagued with injuries, the result definitely wasn't what Atlanta was hoping for. An absence from Paul Black and an early substitute of Abdul Bangura left Atlanta's backline shuffling.

Minnesota provides a tough match. United has lost just two games during the Fall Season, to the New York Cosmos and Carolina RailHawks. After losing USMNT midfielder Miguel Ibarra in a transfer to Liga MX side Leon, it wouldn't have been surprising to see the Loons suffer a bit of decline or stagnation. They haven't, though.

In fact, they've scored more goals than any other team this year, even without Ibarra.

The Loons' leading goal-scorer, Christian Ramirez, seems to have finally found his 2015 form. His eight goals rank him fourth in the NASL's overall goal-scoring list. Former Portland Timber Kalif Alhassan is doing his part for Minnesota's offense, too. The speedy winger has contributed five assists to the team's effort. Coincidentally, Alhassan is tied with Atlanta forward Jaime Chavez in that regard.

Atlanta, still undefeated at home, will have to give their all to take down United, a team on a six-game unbeaten streak. The Loons are still in the gray area when it comes to the playoffs with only six points more than Tampa Bay.

Atlanta and Minnesota both have plenty to lose and even more to gain when the match kicks off on Tuesday night (7:30 p.m. | ESPN3).

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