The upcoming weekend will show a lot about the Atlanta Silverbacks' playoff prospects. Although it is unlikely Atlanta will miss the playoffs, they could get as high as a number 4 seed and as low as an 8 seed. A total collapse combined with a team behind them getting on a hot streak could cause them to miss the playoffs. However, Atlanta took three major hits last weekend as they lost important sub Ahmed Mohyeldin for the year (he chose medical school over the team), backup keeper Walter Valesky broke his arm and is also gone for the year, and Patrick Beech is out for at least the rest of the regular season. Despite these setbacks, the Silverbacks showed they still had the talent to be competitive as they gave Charleston a real run for their money last weekend. However, will the wheels fall off this weekend? Only time will tell.
They begin their big weekend with a Saturday night road game in Hampton Roads. The Mariners are desperate for a win as they sit in 9th place in the Eastern conference, they sit at 48 points on the year at 11-11-2. They trail the Raleigh Capital Express by two points. A win this weekend could put them over both Atlanta and Raleigh and put them in the 6th seed in the conference. The Mariners were once Atlantic Division leaders earlier this year but have struggled greatly since. Sunday night, the Silverbacks travel to Richmond to face the Eastern Conference leading Richmond Kickers. A win here would be unlikely. The Silverbacks will be fatigued because of the Roads game the night before not to mention the Kickers are a much stronger opponent than the Mariners. However, the Kickers are playing for something too. The Charleston Battery are only two points behind the Kickers for the division lead and number one seed.
The Silverbacks will probably keep skilfull Josh Henderson up front in place of Patrick Beech playing alongside Iggy Moleka. Brian Piesner is really playing well having scored three times in the last two games. He played up front a bit last match and his play on the wings have really opened up things down the middle of the pitch. Even without Mohyeldin off the bench, Jerome Samuels is finally back from injury. Also, David Winner looked spectacular last week against Charleston. If the defense can hold out Henderson and Moleka should get some goals.
A weekend sweep of the Kickers and Mariners would be nice for Atlanta, but it is unlikely. Hopefully for Atlanta fans, a five point win over the Mariners would bring them a step closer to grabbing the 5th playoff spot from Hershey who leads the Silverbacks by 6 points (Atlanta has a game in hand). Two losses or even one point this weekend would be disastrous and the Silverbacks could find themselves as low as the 8th seed in the playoff picture. Hopefully, they can get one win this weekend, and then take advantage of their 3 home games in their final 4 matches of the season.
