Silverbacks, Scorpions Finish Level in 6-Goal Thriller

August 8, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Silverbacks (5-7-6, 22 points) remained unbeaten in four games after a wild six-goal thriller with the San Antonio Scorpions (4-5-7, 17 points) at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on Saturday. The sides split the points thanks to the 3-3 result with Atlanta's three-headed monster of Junior Burgos, Jaime Chavez and Pedro Mendes each scoring.

For the first 20 minutes of the match, Atlanta was clearly the better team. San Antonio looked a team that lacked confidence and chemistry.

The Silverbacks first dangerous attack came 12 minutes into the first half. Kosuke Kimura's cross found Michael Reed on the outside of the 18-yard-box. Reed headed the ball back in, Chavez swung and missed, and the ball rolled to Josh Hughes. Hughes made a sliding shot, but it went straight into Matt Cardone's arms.

San Antonio's first shot was a low, gliding ball to the near post in the 20th minute. Steward Ceus, showing every bit of poise and experience fans should expect, dropped down instantly to stop the shot.

It was usual business - as far as the past couple weeks have been concerned - when Pedro scored in the 23nd minute. Kyle Porter, streaming down the left side, slid the ball to Pedro at the top of the box and he slammed the ball past the keeper.

That 1-0 lead wouldn't last long as Omar Cummings got on the end of a cross and headed the ball past Ceus. Cummings' goal would be the last before the end of the first 45 minutes.

Burgos gave the Silverbacks a 2-1 lead with a brilliant free kick in the 51st minute. Burgos curled the ball over the wall to the top left corner of Cardone's net.

Clearly upset with the fact that Mendes had grabbed the team goal-scoring lead, Chavez decided to level things once again in the 57th minute. After Scorpions defender Stephen Deroux headed the ball off of the line right to him, Chavez took a step around a bumbling Cardone and slid the ball in the back of the net to give Atlanta a 3-1 lead.

Not five minutes later, San Antonio pulled a goal back. A cross into the box found Billy Forbes' head, who turned the ball to the low corner of Ceus' net. The goal brought a 3-2 score in the 60th minute.

Cummings wasn't finished after his first goal. He struck again, with help from a Deroux cross, curling the ball around Ceus and to the left corner. The shot leveled the game at three. San Antonio, brimming with confidence, pressed into the attack, forcing Atlanta to play on its heels for the following few minutes.

Both teams pressed into the attack, willing themselves into dangerous areas of the pitch. Neither team could break the deadline, though, and he 3-3 scoreline would hold at the end of 90 minutes.



North American Soccer League Stories from August 8, 2015


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