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Silverbacks Secure Positive Road Result in New York

October 5, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Week 14 of the NASL Fall Season climaxed with a rematch of the 2013 Soccer Bowl, pitting the New York Cosmos (11-11-4, 46 Points) against the Atlanta Silverbacks (7-10-9, 31 Points Combined Table) on a brisk Sunday at James M. Shuart Stadium. For the second time this season, both teams claimed a point - drawing 1-1 on director of scouting and player recruitment Ricky Clarke's managerial debut, standing in as head coach Gary Smith served a one-match technical area ban.

"In all honesty, I couldn't be more satisfied with this result, considering the circumstances surrounding the match," Smith said. "To come and take a point off the League's best team, it's outstanding. Ricky did well managing the situation and he should be proud. The same goes for all the lads."

For the second consecutive match, the Cosmos couldn't crack Atlanta's backline. Both goals were scored by the Silverbacks, first off a free-kick delivery from Junior Burgos that Michal Mravec nodded home and then a second-half own goal off the leg of Simon Mensing.

The Silverbacks were most threatening from set-piece positions, setting Burgos up for one of his trademark swerving services. The first goal came after Burgos was dragged down 15 yards into the Cosmos half, along the right touchline, in the 38th minute.

Burgos' right-footed rifling spun across the Cosmos' goalmouth, finding Mravec's forehead before dribbling off the far post and into the back of the net. The strike was the first of Mravec's NASL career; it was Burgos' sixth assist.

Despite allowing seven first-half Cosmos shots, Atlanta held the advantage into the intermission and through the first 70 minutes of the second stanza.

The home side found its equalizer amid a series of Cosmos attempts. After winning a corner, Steward Ceus extended for a clearance but the cross was just out of reach. In the moment of chaos and confusion, the ball found Simon Mensing's off-balance attempted clearance as it spun into the Silverbacks goal.

Atlanta now sits just three points outside of the League's fourth and final postseason berth - currently held by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (9-7-9, 34 Points) - with four matches left. All of the Silverbacks remaining matches are against teams ahead of them in the table, with three of the four to be played at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

The Silverbacks host the Cosmos, in a rematch of Sunday's draw, on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS) at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

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