
Silverbacks Host Raul, New York in Championship Rematch
October 6, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release
ATLANTA - The Atlanta Silverbacks (7-10-9, 31 points Combined Table) are back home for their final confrontation with the New York Cosmos (11-11-4, 44 points), staging a playoff-implicating rematch of the 2013 Soccer Bowl. New York's global superstars Raul and Marcos Senna face off against Atlanta's high-powered offense - led by Jaime Chavez (7 goals, 7 assists), Pedro Mendes (7, 2) and Junior Burgos (3, 6) - with both sides in search of their first head-to-head victory of 2015.
The Cosmos are eyeing the No. 1 seed in the NASL Champoionship - the four-team postseason tournament - while Atlanta sits just three points below the fourth and final postseason berth.
The Silverbacks are flying home with smiles on their faces after Sunday's, 1-1, draw with the Cosmos extended their unbeaten run. Atlanta has just four games left in the regular season, with three of those at home.
A win over New York remains elusive for the Silverbacks, but the 2015 season has seen closer results than ever before with the two teams drawing in both of their meetings thus far. A win from either team on Wednesday night will give the victor the win overall in the 2015 series.
Wednesday's (7:30 p.m.) match will see the return of Silverbacks' head coach Gary Smith, too. Smith served a one-match technical area ban in New York, with director of scouting and player recruitment Ricky Clarke navigating the Club to Sunday's result.
Three points from the midweek matchup would put Atlanta even with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, FC Edmonton and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, all of whom are fighting for the NASL's last playoff berth.
New York's point concession on Sunday extends its winless streak to four games, its last win coming on Sept. 12. The match also extended its poor attacking form. The high-profile Cosmos haven't scored more than a goal in a match since Aug. 30.
New York is entering one of the most notoriously difficult places to play in Atlanta Silverbacks Park. Smith's side has only lost once at home during the Fall Season.
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North American Soccer League Stories from October 6, 2015
- Fury FC Postseason Tickets On-Sale Friday - Ottawa Fury FC
- Silverbacks Host Raul, New York in Championship Rematch - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Ottawa Fury FC Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser Named NASL Player of the Month - NASL
- Romuald Peiser Named NASL Player of the Month - Ottawa Fury FC
- Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé Joins Fury FC on Loan from Impact - Ottawa Fury FC
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