Silverbacks Look to Extend Unbeaten Streak against Cosmos in Atlanta

August 8, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, Ga. (August 8, 2014) - The Atlanta Silverbacks haven't had much luck against the New York Cosmos over the course of the last year, but if recent trends suggest anything, Saturday could be the club's best chance to get off the schneid against their northern rivals. The Silverbacks and Cosmos will take the field on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, where the two teams battled it out for the 2013 NASL Championship last November.

Aside from the Silverbacks' brutal 4-0 loss to the Cosmos in the 2014 season opener, all of the games between the two sides have been close. The Silverbacks and Cosmos met twice in the regular season last year - a 1-1 draw in New York and a 1-0 Cosmos win in Atlanta. The league's title game represented the third matchup between the two sides last year, with the Cosmos walking away with another 1-0 victory to earn the 2013 NASL crown.

The Silverbacks haven't ever beaten the Cosmos, though, and that is what they will be looking to cross off their list on Saturday. Head coach Jason Smith's side comes into the game with confidence, having taken seven points from its last three games - a run that includes wins over FC Edmonton and Indy Eleven.

As for the Cosmos, they're experiencing their first real slump since joining the NASL at the midway point of last season. After posting a 15-5-3 (W-D-L) combined record in their first full year as a member of the NASL, the Cosmos have stumbled out of the gate this fall. They have taken just five points from their last five games, dropping home contests to the Carolina RailHawks and San Antonio Scorpions and playing to a pair of disappointing draws against NASL strugglers FC Edmonton and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The Cosmos' only NASL Fall Season win came against last-place Ottawa Fury FC on July 20.

"I've watched the Cosmos play a little bit now, and I certainly have some more research to do, but they are a very talented team," Smith said. "Even in the games they have lost, I think they dominated the possession. They look good with the ball at their feet, and it's possible that they have just been a bit unlucky not to finish some of their chances."

The Cosmos hung four goals on the Silverbacks in a shutout win back on April 13, but they have had trouble finding the net in the fall season. Head coach Giovanni Savarese's side has only scored three goals in its five fall season games. For the Silverbacks, it's just the opposite. The team has scored eight goals in its last four games - second only to the San Antonio Scorpions, who have played one more game. Forward Jaime Chavez and midfielders Junior Burgos and Pablo Cruz each have two goals already this fall season, while fellow attacking players Junior Sandoval and Deon McCaulay have been able to find the net as well.

"I think some of our goals can just be attributed to focusing on hitting the target. We talk a lot about not trying to score one for the highlight film and instead forcing the goalkeeper to make a save as the worst-case scenario," Smith said. "Overall, I've been happy with the production that we're getting from our attacking players."

The attack isn't the only area the Silverbacks have improved in. The back line, which has been shaky at times this season, has only conceded one goal from open play in the last three games. The likes of Ramiro Canovas, Ryan Roushandel, and Mike Randolph have been key players in the team's defensive turnaround, but it should come as no surprise that the improvements have come with goalkeeper Joe Nasco between the posts. The 2013 NASL Best XI selection, who is on loan from the Colorado Rapids, has been huge for the Silverbacks, breathing confidence into the team's defensive unit over the last three games.

For the most part, the Cosmos back line has been stout as well. The New York side has only conceded twice in its last four games, and if not for a beautiful piece of individual skill from Carolina RailHawks midfielder Ty Shipalane on Saturday, it could be less. Center back and team captain Carlos Mendes has been leading the Cosmos' defensive charge as usual, with solid players like Jimmy Ockford, Hunter Freeman, and Ayoze all playing key roles.

Putting the Cosmos' recent run of form aside, this is still a very dangerous team. Forward Hans Denissen is back from an injury that sidelined him for the entire spring campaign, while new signings Andres Flores and Connor Lade provide the team with speedy options on the wings. Lade, who is on loan from the New York Red Bulls, may not make the trip due to a shoulder injury suffered in last weekend's 1-0 loss to the RailHawks. Norwegian forward Mads Stokkelien will try to make it two straight games with a goal against the Silverbacks, as he netted a well-placed header in the 4-0 win in April.

Savarese and his team were faced with a mid-week game on Wednesday night, playing to a scoreless draw against FC Edmonton at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y. It wasn't the result the Cosmos were looking for, especially with FC Edmonton going down to 10 men in the 74th minute. The mid-week affair also forced Savarese to shift the lineup around to keep certain players fresh for Saturday. Stokkelien, Flores, and Ockford were all dropped from the starting lineup on Wednesday, meaning there is a good possibility that those three players will start this weekend.

The Silverbacks will enter Saturday's matchup as the more well-rested team, and will look to take advantage of the Cosmos' tough game and travel schedule from this week. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, with gates at Atlanta Silverbacks Park officially opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone at 404-969-4900.



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