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Silverbacks Put Four Goals Past Indy Eleven in Big Road Win

August 2, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, Ga. - The Atlanta Silverbacks found the net twice in each half on their way to a key 4-2 road win over Indy Eleven at a sold-out Michael A. Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. Midfielders Junior Burgos and Pablo Cruz scored in the opening 45 minutes, and midfielder Junior Sandoval and forward Jaime Chavez finished things off, finding the net in the second half to give the Silverbacks a big road win that vaulted them into sole possession of third place in the NASL Fall Season standings.

"I'm quite happy to get three points on the road, but overall I'm disappointed with a couple mistakes we made," said Silverbacks Head Coach Jason Smith. "We had a couple mistakes that we'll fix for next game, but overall I can't be disappointed with four goals."

With the team coming off a pair of strong performances against Minnesota United FC and FC Edmonton, Smith kept the starting lineup fairly consistent, making only a pair of changes from the previous weekend. Ferrety Sousa was preferred at right back over Borfor Carr, while Cruz found himself back in the starting eleven in place of Jesus Gonzalez.

As they have done in several games this season, the Silverbacks pounced on their opponents right away. Indy goalkeeper Kristian Nicht was picking the ball out of his own after less than five minutes of play, with Burgos accounting for the tally. Some great work down the left wing from defender Mike Randolph gave him enough space for a cross, and that pass fell right to Burgos, who poked the ball into the net from six yards out to make it 1-0.

Indy responded by putting some pressure on the visiting back line, and in the 17th minute, it nearly paid off. Defender Erick Norales broke through on goal, but Silverbacks goalkeeper Joe Nasco ran out to get a touch on the ball right before the Honduran could muster an effort on goal.

Despite the improved play from the home side, the Silverbacks found the net again "" this time through Cruz in the 21st minute. A sequence of passes in the midfield ended with Cruz turning and rifling a 25-yard rocket past a helpless Nicht to make it 2-0 and stun the 10,000+ fans in attendance at Carroll Stadium. It was Cruz's second goal in his last three league games and third in his last five overall.

The Silverbacks have had problems managing games in which they're leading, and that issue reared its ugly head as the first half continued. Indy looked increasingly dangerous in the attack, and their hard work would finally pay off in the 42nd minute when forward Don Smart earned a penalty kick for his team. Smart did well to run past Randolph, who made just enough contact with Jamaican to force referee Robert Sibiga to point to the spot. Kléberson would be the one to take it, and he snuck it under the hands of Nasco to cut the Silverbacks lead in half at 2-1.

One would have thought Indy would have had the momentum on their side coming out of the locker room in the second half, but that was far from the case. Chavez latched onto a long ball less than a minute into the second half and calmly passed the ball into the net to give the Silverbacks their second two-goal lead of the game.

Chavez's goal "" his seventh of the season "" was just the beginning of what would end up being an eventful second half. In the 54th minute, Indy earned their second penalty kick of the game, and fourth overall against the Silverbacks in just two games this season. Sousa was apparently the culprit, committing a foul in the penalty area to give Kléberson another shot from the spot. The Brazilian made no mistake, pulling Indy within a goal at 3-2.

The referee then reached into his back pocket in the 65th minute, sending off Indy midfielder Sergio Peña for a foul on Cruz. From that moment on, the hosts found it difficult to climb back into the game. The Silverbacks started to take over in the latter part of the second half, and finally got the insurance goal that they were looking for in the 83rd minute.

Sandoval dribbled past Indy's Brad Ring and cleverly curved the ball into the corner of the net past an onrushing Nicht. The 4-2 score line would hold up without incident, as Indy closed the game with just nine players on the field due to an injury suffered by Norales.

The win, combined with losses for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and New York Cosmos, mean the Silverbacks are in sole possession of third place in the NASL Fall Season standings. The team is also creeping closer to a spot in The Championship, the league's four-team postseason format. Next up for the Silverbacks are the New York Cosmos, who come to Atlanta Silverbacks Park next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available over the phone at 404-969-4900 or online at atlantasilverbacksfc.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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