The Atlanta Silverbacks had a point to prove Saturday night. A point to prove to the A-League, the fans, and even themselves. After an off season in which a myriad of former Silverbacks left Atlanta for other clubs, the Silverbacks erupted on a 2001 off season signing spree, signing most of their starting lineup in the process. As the 'Backs entered their A-league opener against the vastly improved Nashville Metros, they wanted to show the league that this team was not the inconsistent one of the past, but a force to be reckoned with. They proved their case Saturday night with a solid 2-1 victory over the Metros.
The match was a crucial US Open Cup Qualifier for both teams. The Silverbacks were 2-0 after two wins over the Greenville Lions of D3, and the Nashville Metros had been handed a USOC loss by the Richmond Kickers the night before. A win would give the Silverbacks a 3-0 USOC record, and a chance to control their destiny in the qualifying group.
There were two lineup changes for Atlanta. First, Danny Care returned to the starting lineup in place of Sylvan Bednar. The new goalkeeper was Taly Goode, an A-league rookie from Marshall. He was the second round draft pick of the Silverbacks this year. Goode didn't come to the Silverbacks until he finished school at Marshall; he arrived at camp early last week.
The first 5 minutes of the match were played mostly in the midfield, with neither team able to break the defense. But not long after that the Metros just missed netting a goal when a cross found striker Jakob Fenger's head. The ball was heading towards the right upper 90, but Goode made an unbelievable diving save to stop the chance. In the 9th minute, Sean Finn found Ryan Walker behind the defense, Walker dribbled into the left upper corner of the box and Walker's shot was denied by a charging Cole Burgman.
Things stayed quiet for a while after that. The Silverbacks' defense comprised of Jason Annichero, Edmundo Rodriguez, Danny Care and captain Steve Armas looked unorganized. They were beat two or three times down the touchline and were lucky not to see Nashville create any chances out of the defensive miscues. In the 27th minute of play, striker Iggy Moleka faked out a couple of Nashville defenders inside the box and sent a screaming shot over the cross bar.
The next 15 minutes found both sides unable to find a hole in the opposing defense. Annichero, Rodriguez, Care and Armas were making up for their early mistakes as the defense gradually began to look better than it had in the early going. In the 43rd, the Silverbacks finally got on the board. A long throw by Midfielder Randy Merkel found Pablo Peirano with all kinds of time in the box. Peirano trapped the ball and his shot found side netting for a goal. The second half ended with Atlanta still holding a 1-0 lead. No more than 3 minutes into the second half, the Silverbacks nearly made it 2-nil.
For the second time in the match, Ryan Walker found himself behind the Nashville defense. Once again, a charging Cole Burgman denied Walker the goal. The substitutions began in minute 62 when Nashville substituted their strikers Marshall Ray and Brandon Wright for starters Jakob Fenger and Jeff House. The Silverbacks simultaneously executed a sub of their own, defender Sylvan Bednar entered for midfielder Rivers Guthrie. With the substitution, the Silverbacks entered a defensive mode, with 5 defenders.
In the 69th, the Metros brought midfielder Chris Davies in place of defender Russell Cain. On a counterattack in the 71st minute, winger Sean Finn found himself with an open shot outside the 18-yard box. Burgman easily smothered the low shot. Moleka had a similar chance in the 74th on a counterattack when Danny Care served him. Once again, Burgman made the stop. In the 78th, Peter Byrhuhanga entered for a limping and worn out Walker.
The Silverbacks netted another goal in the 80th. Pablo Peirano dribbled down the right side and his cross found Iggy Moleka's head. The ball found the back of the net and the 'Backs were up 2-0. The goal was Moleka's 6th in 3 matches (it was his first A-league goal). Ivailo Ilarionov entered the match in place of Peirano in the 80th. In the 82nd, Nashville added more offense by substituting Roby Monroe for Steve Kraemer.
The Metros scored 3 minutes later when Chris Davies volleyed a cross by defender Jason Wall in. The Metros were unable to get a chance after that, they were too fatigued after playing the night before. The final whistle sounded with the 'Backs on top, 2-1.
With the win, the Silverbacks are 1-0 in A-league play and could practically clinch their USOC qualifying group with a win over Nashville two weeks from now. Until then, the Silverbacks go on the road to face the lowly Indiana Blast on the 11th of May and then the Cincinnati Riverhawks the following day.
Everyone looked good for Atlanta Saturday. Pablo Peirano had a goal and an assist while the defense recovered to have a solid match after a shaky opening 15 minutes. Sean Finn set up a few chances from the left side and Ryan Walker was a force up front. The Silverbacks are clearly poised and ready for a great A-league regular season and the Nashville win is just the beginning.
Atlanta is expecting two wins on the road this weekend. But will Atlanta falter on the road like they did in 2000? Or has Coach John Dugan finally solved Atlanta's mysterious road struggles of previous seasons? Can Iggy Moleka sustain his top class play? Will defender Seth Marks be back from injury in time for the road trip? These are only a few more questions Atlanta must answer, as they strive to make the 2001 playoffs, for the first time in Silverbacks history.
Man of the Match: Iggy Moleka/Taly Goode
Both put on absolutely stunning performances. Goode made 7 big saves in net for Atlanta and has set a high standard for recently signed Billy Andracki who is expected to start for Atlanta next week. Meanwhile Moleka continued to dazzle the crowd with a few great moves and has clearly gotten much faster over the off season. Don't forget Pablo Peirano, who was a close second with a goal and an assist.
