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Silverbacks Keep Pace with 5-Game Unbeaten Run

April 27, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta Silverbacks in Action
Atlanta Silverbacks in Action
(Atlanta Silverbacks)

ATLANTA - No victor emerged between the Atlanta Silverbacks and New York Cosmos in Saturday night's scoreless draw, but a sellout crowd at Silverbacks Park witnessed Atlanta post its first clean sheet of the season and earn a point from the first-place Cosmos for the first time since 2013. Both teams remained unbeaten with the Silverbacks stretching their unbeaten run to five games - or nine games, including preseason friendlies - dating back to the 2014 Fall Season.

Atlanta's defense fared well against Real Madrid legend and Spanish international Raul and the rest of the Cosmos attack, handing New York its first scoreless performance in NASL since last year's playoffs, and its first in the regular season since last October. Walter Restrepo, the league-leading creator, and Leo Fernandes, joint-top goalscorer, were held at bay by Atlanta's back line, which did not allow a goal from open play for the third time in four matches.

Behind the defense, Silverbacks goalkeeper Steward Ceus returned from injury to make his competitive debut for Atlanta, participating in his first live action since going down with the knee injury early in the Club's preseason slate. In an active debut, Ceus didn't show any signs of rust, keeping the clean sheet despite a few threatening Cosmos chances.

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Atlanta kept pace with the home point, its first against New York since the Cosmos' first modern-era season in 2013. Tied on points in third place with Indy Eleven and Fort Lauderdale, the Silverbacks remain just two points from the top of the Spring Season table. They'll have an early chance to slightly separate from that pack when they visit the Fort Lauderdale Strikers this weekend (7:30 p.m., ESPN3) on Match Day 5.

With both the Silverbacks and Cosmos teams taking a point from Saturday night, the upper end of the league table becomes even more compact as we near the halfway point of the 10-game slate. Only three points separate New York in first and the Carolina RailHawks in sixth, setting up the league for an exciting final stretch during which nearly every game - no matter the standing - will be important league-wide.

Around the League

Ottawa Fury FC 1, Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3

Highlights

Fort Lauderdale goals (Jose Angulo and Marlo Freitas) on either side of halftime allowed Fort Lauderdale to jump out to a 2-0 lead Saturday afternoon, and they'd be all that was required to secure the Strikers' road victory at TD Place. Rafael Alves got the Fury on the board with more than 10 minutes to play, giving the hosts a glimmer of hope until a counterattacking Angulo completed a brace in stoppage time. Fort Lauderdale's 3-1 win, their second of the season, lifts them into a three-way tie with Indy and Atlanta for third place. It wasn't all good for the Strikers, though: Starting goalkeeper Joe Nasco, a former Atlanta player, broke his fibula early in the match and will face an extensive recovery. Lionel Brown earned six saves after replacing Nasco in the Fort Lauderdale net.

Indy Eleven 1, Carolina RailHawks 1

Highlights

For the fourth week running, Indy took the same number of points as the Silverbacks. A Carolina own goal just six minutes from opening kick gave the Eleven in an early advantage in front of a sellout crowd at Carroll Stadium. Indy's lead lasted nearly 80 minutes, but Blake Wagner equalized for the RailHawks in the 85th minute, his second goal in as many weeks, to rescue a result for Carolina. Level on six points with the Silverbacks and Strikers, Indy continues its unbeaten run into their bye week. For sixth-place Carolina, up next is a home match against the second-place Tampa Bay Rowdies at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Tampa Bay Rowdies 3, Jacksonville Armada FC 2

Highlights

Taking advantage of draws from Indy and Atlanta, Tampa Bay surged into second place with a 3-2 win over Jacksonville Armada FC in the Rowdies' first Coastal Cup action of the spring. Armada FC fought back from an early Tampa Bay goal to take a lead into the second half at Al Lang Stadium, before the hosts clawed back with a Martin Nunez equalizer and a winner from Maicon Santos, his second. Jacksonville loses its second-consecutive league match, both Coastal Cup encounters, leaving the Armada in sole possession of ninth place in the Spring Season.

Minnesota United FC 2, San Antonio Scorpions FC 2

Highlights

Another week, another wonder-strike in a game featuring the 2014 NASL champions San Antonio Scorpions. This time it was the Scorpions who benefited from the spectacular goal, with Zourab Tsiskaridke catching Minnesota goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock sleeping on a free kick from the San Antonio half that gave the visitors an early lead in United's home opener. Minnesota's Pablo Camps found the net later in the first half, and Christian Ramirez scored from the spot to take the lead in the 59th minute, but Rafael Castillo's 90th-minute penalty conversion brought the Scorpions level and left both of last year's split-season champions winless in their first three contests.

Upcoming in Week 5

Saturday, May 2

New York Cosmos vs. Ottawa Fury FC 7:00 p.m., ESPN3

Carolina RailHawks vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies 7:30 p.m., ESPN3

Jacksonville Armada FC vs. San Antonio Scorpions 7:30 p.m., ESPN3

Sunday, May 3

FC Edmonton vs. Minnesota United FC 4:00 p.m., ESPN3




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Atlanta Silverbacks in Action
Atlanta Silverbacks in Action
   



North American Soccer League Stories from April 27, 2015


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