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Silverbacks' Late Comeback Not Enough against Scorpions

April 19, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, GA - In front of a sellout crowd on a chilly Saturday evening at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, the Silverbacks fell, 2-1, to the San Antonio Scorpions despite dominating the final 45 minutes of action.

The Scorpions (1-0-1), a side featuring former Silverbacks midfielder Richard Menjivar and Danny Barrera, went 2-0 up thanks to goals from defender Greg Janicki and midfielder Shaun Saiko. The Silverbacks (0-0-2) controlled the second half, and pulled one back late in the game through midfielder Junior Sandoval, but they couldn't find the equalizer and dropped all three points.

Silverbacks Technical Director Eric Wynalda shook up the lineup following his team's season-opening loss at New York, drafting goalkeeper Eric Ati, defender Ryan Roushandel, and midfielder Janny Rivera into the starting eleven in place of Derby Carrillo, Beto Navarro, and Lucas Paulini respectively.

Saturday's matchup started slowly, with neither side doing much to threaten the other's goal. The Scorpions were the first ones to get on the score sheet, with Janicki heading in a well-placed free kick from Barrera in the 34^th minute. Ati came out for the cross, but was unable to catch it before Janicki headed it goalward.

The Scorpions came out of the locker room after halftime with strong intent, and didn't waste any time doubling their lead. Saiko, who was a halftime substitute, fired a shot off the under side of the crossbar and in within one minute of entering the field. The former FC Edmonton midfielder's finish was first-class, leaving Ati with no chance to prevent the 2-0 score line.

Following Saiko's goal, the Silverbacks picked up the pace - a pace they wouldn't relinquish for the remainder of the game. Substitute forward Jaime Chavez, who replaced forward Deon McCaulay, was the first to answer the bell, heading a cross inches wide of the post within a minute of Saiko's goal.

In the 83rd minute, the Silverbacks finally found the net. Sandoval headed in a beautiful set piece from midfielder Junior Burgos, setting up a nervy finish for the visitors. The goal ignited the sellout crowd, giving the team momentum going into the final 10 minutes.

Chavez was in the center of things again in the 89^th minute, coming inches away from tying things up after his flicked effort fell just wide. The Silverbacks had one more scoring chance in them in stoppage time, with defender Edgar Espinoza seeing his half-volley cleared off the goal line by a Scorpions defender.

When the final whistle blew, the Silverbacks' reaction was nothing short of utter disappointing, knowing they controlled most of the game and dropped points at home. Wynalda's team will look to get back on track on the road next Saturday when they travel to Tampa to take on the Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium. You can watch that game live at NASLLive.com.

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