Silverbacks Visit Ottawa Fury FC for Match Day 15

July 21, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Silverbacks (2-6-5, 12 points Combined Table) are leaving the comfortability of the Southeast and venturing north of the border to visit on Ottawa Fury FC (4-6-3, 18 points). Fury FC provides a tough test, as the team is riding an 8-game unbeaten streak.

After an exciting 2-2 draw with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Atlanta is finally moving on to non-Florida opponents. The Silverbacks are currently on goal-scoring frenzy, averaging 1.3 goals a game during the Fall Season. That's a lot higher than the 0.7 goals they averaged during the Spring. New attacking options in Junior Burgos and the Mendes twins have given confidence to the Silverbacks offense. Pedro Mendes has already contributed a goal, and Burgos has already given an assist.

Defensively, the Silverbacks are still getting used to playing three men in the back, but there are promising signs that the formation is going to work very well in the long run.

Ottawa is doing well itself. The team hasn't been beaten since May 2 in a closely contested match with the New York Cosmos. One of Fury FC's best players has been forward Tom Heinemann, who has gone from super sub to super star for the Canadian team. Heinemann, with only five starts, leads the team in scoring with four goals. Three of those goals have come during the Fall Season.

Based on their beginning to the fall, Ottawa's 4-3-3 is definitely working for them. Will it work against Atlanta, though? Two of the Silverback's first three opponents, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Jacksonville Armada FC, both employed the formation. While Tampa Bay came out on top, Atlanta held them to minimal shots on target. Jacksonville was defeated to give Atlanta its first win of the season.

Ottawa currently sits in fifth place in the combined standings, just outside of a playoff spot. Atlanta still sits at the bottom of the table, but a win could be just the thing the Silverbacks need to kick start their engines. With the offense finally starting to fire on all cylinders, Atlanta could be the dark horse of the Fall Season.

Catch the game this Wednesday (7:30 p.m., ONEWorld Sports) to see all the action. This will be the Silverbacks first appearance on Wednesday Night Soccer on ONEWorld Sports. The nationally broadcast match will be available to viewers in the Metro Atlanta area without authorization.



North American Soccer League Stories from July 21, 2015


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