Silverbacks Visit Fort Lauderdale to Face Strikers

July 17, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Silverbacks (2-5-5, 11 points) earned their first win of the season over the NASL's newest franchise, Jacksonville Armada FC (3-3-6, 12 points), on Saturday. With confidence brewing, Atlanta now travels south to take on its third Floridian team in a row, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (3-4-5, 13 points).

It's easy to get caught up in the fact that Atlanta ended the Spring Season at the bottom of the NASL standings. What's not easy to remember is that the Spring Season only takes up a third of the season. Through 12 games in a 30 game season, the Silverbacks only sit six points outside of the playoff mark. Securing three points on the road on Saturday could mark a surprising climb for new-look Atlanta.

Silverbacks head coach Gary Smith debuted a new formation against Armada FC, and it worked. CJ Cochran and the 3-5-2 held one of the league's quickest attacks scoreless at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. Quick, precise passing throughout the midfield was a sight for sore eyes and will be needed at Lockhart Stadium.

The Strikers are a team that dominated NASL headlines during the offseason, though maybe not for all the reasons they had hoped. Club president Tim Robbie left in May. The club then parted ways with Soccer Director Andre Chaves, former head coach Marcelo Neveleff and assistant coach Ricardo Lopes. On the field, the team saw departures from Leo Moura, Ryan Adeleye and Stephane Guillaume. They also traded Aly Alberto Hassan to Ottawa Fury FC.

Normally, all of those departures could be considered a major blow to the club, but bringing back 2014 head coach Günter Kronsteiner might be considered an upgrade at the end of the season. Last year, Kronsteiner led the Strikers to the NASL Championship Final. To close out the offseason, Fort Lauderdale ownership also appointed Caio Zanardi to General Manager. Zanardi worked for the Brazilian national soccer federation for the past three years.

Fort Lauderdale has seen a steady start to the 2015 Fall Season with two draws against the Carolina RailHawks and FC Edmonton. The Strikers are riding a three game unbeaten streak and will look to continue that against Atlanta's new defense. The Silverbacks were able to steal a point on the road in their last trip to Lockhart Stadium.

Atlanta now has their long-awaited win under their belt. The team now looks to build on their new formation and create a long-lasting foundation for the rest of the Fall Season. Surely, stealing three points from Lockhart Stadium will only increase the Silverbacks' confidence.



North American Soccer League Stories from July 17, 2015


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