Tampa Bay scores 3 in final 30 minutes to down 10-man Atlanta

June 13, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Atlanta Silverbacks entered the Spring Season finale at Al Lang Stadium with hopes of spoiling the Tampa Bay Rowdies chance at claiming the short-season championship on Saturday night. The Rowdies seized a 3-0 victory over Atlanta, but it wasn't enough to overtake the league-leading New York Cosmos - who raised the Spring Season trophy after drawing to earn the point they needed for the championship.

"We knew coming to Tampa for the Spring finale would be tough," Silverbacks coach Gary Smith said. "Although it is a beautiful place to play a match, it is also a difficult one to visit.

After a scoreless opening hour, the home side struck first when forward Corey Hertzog chested a Darwin Espinal cross through traffic and into the Silverbacks' (1-5-4, 8 points) net. Martin Nunez netted a free kick in the 75th minute and Silverbacks-killer Georgi Hristov converted an 89th minute penalty kick to continue his consecutive streak (7 games) of scoring against the Silverbacks.

The Rowdies (5-4-1, 19 points) doubled their tally 15 minutes after their first goal, taking a free kick from about 30 yards out, just left of center. Nunez's strike crashed into Atlanta's wall, striking an outstretched arm. The handball moved the free kick up 10 yards on the same benevolent angle. Nunez froze Atlanta keeper Steward Ceus (http://www.atlantasilverbacksfc.com/roster/steward-ceus), as the strike rose over the wall but dove under the crossbar.

With just a minute before the end of regulation, Silverbacks captain Simon Mensing (http://www.atlantasilverbacksfc.com/roster/simon-mensing) fouled Rowdies winger Robert Hernandez as he cut inside the 18-yard box. Hristov lined up his spot kick and muscled it past the diving Ceus for Tampa Bay's third goal of the match.

In the 20 minutes before the penalty, Atlanta found itself marked inside center official Sorin Stoica's book on four occasions, climaxing with forward Jaime Chavez (http://www.atlantasilverbacksfc.com/roster/jaime-chavez) 's second yellow and sending off just seven minutes after entering for Shaka Bangura (http://www.atlantasilverbacksfc.com/roster/shaka-bangura) . His ejection forced the Silverbacks to close out regulationa and five added minutes with a 10-man team. Chavez will now miss the Silverbacks Fall Season opener on July 4.

The Silverbacks created chances, launching 10 shots in total - four on-target and five blocked - including a Bangura blast in the 56th minute that dented both the crossbar and upright. Atlanta held 45 percent possession and took five corner kicks - compared to Tampa Bay's two - in the match, but couldn't find the net for the second match in a row.

The Silverbacks must now shift their attention to the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, where they face Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. | YouTube.com (https://www.youtube.com/user/NewYorkRedBulls/featured) ) in New Jersey. The NASL Fall Season kicks off as the Silverbacks visit the Rowdies on July 4 in search of immediate revenge. Atlanta returns home to Atlanta Silverbacks Park on July 16 to host Jacksonville Armada FC (tickets &cgc) ) at 7:30 p.m.



North American Soccer League Stories from June 13, 2015


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