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Silverbacks Pair Selected to NASL Team of the Week

April 22, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Rauwshan McKenzie and Shaka Bangura of the Atlanta Silverbacks
Rauwshan McKenzie and Shaka Bangura of the Atlanta Silverbacks
(Atlanta Silverbacks)

ATLANTA - The buildup to the #BattleFor1st between the New York Cosmos and the Atlanta Silverbacks on Match Day 4 is already deafening, but Wednesday's announcement of the NASL Team of the Week has increased the volume. The unbeaten Silverbacks earned a pair of selections in center back Rauwshan McKenzie and current NASL points leader Shaka Bangura while the Cosmos also earned two selections.

Bangura and McKenzie's selection are the fourth Silverbacks (1-0-2, 5 points) honors through just three weeks of the NASL Spring Season; center back Simon Mensing and forward Kyle Porter were picked for Match Day 1 and 2, respectively.

McKenzie, one quarter of a completely new-look backline, kept a leash on Carolina's potent attack made up of Tiyi Shipalane and Nacho Novo. The RailHawks landed just three shots on target and just five total shots despite holding 55 percent of possession and mounting six dangerous attacks.

Once that forward line hit Atlanta's defense - especially McKenzie, who was targeted after Mensing's strong start to the season - it seemed to evaporate.

"It always feels good to be recognized for doing your job," McKenzie said. "It was a tough match away from home. The individual honor is special, but the award should go to everyone - this whole team went to Carolina with a goal of taking all three points, and we did."

McKenzie and the Silverbacks have allowed just one run-of-play goal all season, with one penalty kick, one free kick and the failed punch out against Carolina.

Bangura, manning the opposite side of the pitch than McKenzie, earned Team of the Week honors for his upper-90 thunderbolt in the 49th minute. It was the forward's second goal of the year as he again thrust a failed clearance into the back of the net.

Bangura leads the NASL on points (5) with two goals and an assist. He is knotted in a four-way tie atop the league for goals scored through three matches.

"These types of recognitions, along with being able to score goals, are the best ways for a striker to build confidence," Bangura said. "Confidence is the best way to make sure a striker can score goals. In the end it all comes back around, but I am happy to be picked by the league."

Bangura's goal is a nominee for NASL Play of the Week.

The freshly acclaimed Silverbacks and Cosmos - complete with Real Madrid legend Raul - will meet on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ESPN3) at Silverbacks Park, presented by The Joint Chiropractic. The match lines up two of the league's three remaining unbeaten against each other in a rematch of the 2013 Soccer Bowl.

For tickets, call the Silverbacks Ticket Office at 404-969-4900.




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Rauwshan McKenzie and Shaka Bangura of the Atlanta Silverbacks
Rauwshan McKenzie and Shaka Bangura of the Atlanta Silverbacks
   



North American Soccer League Stories from April 22, 2015


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