The first two games of the Atlanta Silverbacks' season have looked a lot like the first two months of 1999. Missed chances. After losing two straight in a home-and-home series two arch-rival Charleston, in which they failed to score a single goal, the Silverbacks head back home in a tail-spin. This Saturday's game against Raleigh is as close as it gets to a "must win" situation this early in the season. Expect to see a sense of urgency as Atlanta takes on a potent Raleigh team who will be fired up and ready to begin their 2000 season. After a first week in which I wrote of how many bright spots i saw despite a 2-0 loss at home to Charleston, Atlanta failed to build on those bright spots, and now needs a win desperately.
Look for Ze Rodriguez to enter the line up against Raleigh to play Attacking Midfield (after a strong opener, he did not start last game). Iggy Moleka needs to have a break out game, preferably with a few goals, and Josh Henderson (if he starts) must look better than he has in recent weeks. The defense has done all they can do, Goalkeeper Tony Roberts looks great, Jacenir Silva is still playing like he was still in his 20's, and Sylvan Bednar still looks up to form. But the offense has played to the point where the Silverbacks may lose their faith in winning the A-League championship this season, a goal that looked reachable before the season began. But the Silverbacks are right back where they started, after battling back last season to win their last six games and finally putting balls in the back of the net, the Silverbacks are looking exactly like last season before those last six games. Which for any soccer team, is an absolute nightmare.
This Saturday, look for a strong back-line, a wonderful Tony Roberts at keeper, and how about a few goals?
