Toure Nets Two as Atlanta Falls to Vancouver 2-3

Published on August 10, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - The Atlanta Silverbacks lost 2-3 against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Swangard Stadium in British Columbia. The Whitecaps fought back from a 2-1 deficit to take the lead late in the match and break the Silverbacks four-game unbeaten streak.

The Whitecaps exacted revenge on the Silverbacks, who won 3-2 in Atlanta on August 5th. The win puts Vancouver back on top of the USL-1 standings.

(Photo Caption: Atlanta defender David Hayes donned the captain's armband for tonight's match. Photo by Elaine Carroll.)

The game featured an interesting matchup between Whitecap defender Omar Jarun and Silverback midfielder Jason McLaughlin. Jarun spent last year with Atlanta, while McLaughlin played for Vancouver in the 2007 season.

Both teams went into the match shorthanded. For Vancouver, Steve Kindel and Nicholas Addlery were both suspended for the match today due to yellow card accumulation. Atlanta was without Macoumba Kandji, as well as Matt Bobo, who was unavailable due to injury.

Atlanta was the first team to get on the scoreboard. After a long ball from goalkeeper Felipe Quintero, midfielder Ansu Toure soon collected the ball and fired a left-footed, dipping ball that hit the bottom of the crossbar in the 20th minute. After hitting the ground and bouncing back out, Jerson Monteiro was there to clean up by heading the ball into the net, putting Atlanta on top. Later, the ball was ruled to have crossed the plane of the goal, giving credit for the goal to Toure.

Just like several of Atlanta's previous games, Atlanta's opponent would answer right back. After a defensive miscue in the Atlanta box, Whitecap midfielder Jeff Clarke received a deflected ball from Jason Jordan and hit a low ball into the side netting for the equalizer. The goal marked the 200th career point as a Whitecap for Jordan.

Toure would strike again in the 39th minute. After Scott Buete won a ball in the midfield, Buete would feed Toure on the left side of the Vancouver box. Toure made a severe cutback inside and would put Whitecap defender Wesley Charles and goalkeeper Jay Nolly on the turf, setting himself up for the easy goal.

However, Vancouver would keep up its presence and pressure on the Silverbacks. In the 45th minute, Eduardo Sebrango found himself open at the top of the box and slammed a shot past an outstretched Quintero, but the ball hit the left post, preserving the Atlanta lead going into halftime.

The Whitecaps came out firing in the second half, putting heavy strain on the Atlanta defense. Sebrango continued his solid work, heading a ball off the woodwork in the first minute of the half. Their efforts would pay off in the 72nd minute. Sebrango made a great run down the center of the pitch and fed a ball to substitute forward Charles Gbeke. A wide open Gbeke fired a shot, which was saved by Quintero. However, a sprinting Sebrango beat the Atlanta defenders to the ball, dumping it in the empty net and leveling the score at two goals apiece.

The Whitecaps would score the winning goal in the 88th minute off a corner kick from Martin Nash. Substitute defender Geordie Lyall went up for the header, knocking both himself and Quintero to the turf, but was able to shoot the ball in from point-blank range to give the Whitecaps the win and Atlanta a tough loss on the road.

The Silverbacks will play the rubber match of the season series in Vancouver on Wednesday, August 27th.

Atlanta will now take a timely break after playing five games in a span of 10 days. The 'Backs next play on Saturday, August 16th against the Charleston Battery in a Southern Derby Cup fixture.

For tickets or more information, please call 1-866-GO-BACKS or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

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USL First Division Stories from August 10, 2008


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