The Atlanta Silverbacks spent two full weeks contemplating their US Open Cup Qualifying collapse and worked hard to right the wrong that had been established after the seasons first few weeks. They were losers of three of their last four and had blown a twelve point lead in the final three matches of US Open Cup Qualifying and missed out on the great tournament. It was a long two weeks of sadness and hopelessness. Was this Atlanta team to have the same fortunes of the teams of '99 and 2000? Did the soccer demons still lurk in Atlanta? The last two weeks of practice were hopefully the beginning of an effort to force the demons out of Atlanta soccer, at least for the time being. After those two long and painful weeks, the Silverbacks returned to action furious and determined. And their opponents, the Charlotte Eagles, would soon learn that they were simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
After a rousing 2-1 win the night before, the Silverbacks returned to Atlanta weary and tired. The team had returned to town at 4AM Saturday morning. The hours of sleep weren't plentiful and many players, such as defender Jason Annichero, were only able to grab a few hours of sleep due to various responsibilities in the morning. Nevertheless, the Silverbacks were ready, looking for a weekend sweep of the Charlotte Eagles in their first home match in over three weeks.
The 'Backs would see Coach John Dugan shuffle the lineup around a bit in order to replace a few valuable starters who were not with the club.
Midfielder Pablo Peirano would miss the match, as he was in South America, attempting to get his work permit. Meanwhile, leading scorer Iggy Moleka left the States for his home country of the Congo for international duty. Randy Merkel also wouldn't start due to a nagging hamstring injury that has bothered him all season. Ian Checcio was demoted to the bench after starting against the Eagles the night before.
Just like the in the previous match, Captain Steve Armas moved up to midfield to replace Peirano. Ryan Walker got the start up top in Moleka's place (he was in the midfield on Friday night) and Sean Michael-Callahan replaced Walker at mid. In place of Ian Checcio was second year man Richard O' Sullivan.
O' Sullivan, a promising young player out of the University of Central Florida was making his first start as a 'Back after making a solid appearance as a sub the night before. The rest of the lineup saw Paul Schneider making his second start up front. Schneider, who Atlanta traded for one week ago, had scored a goal the night before. In midfield, Eddie Rodriguez and Sean Finn started for the second straight night alongside Callahan and Armas. Meanwhile in the back, things stayed the same from the night before save the O' Sullivan move with Annichero, Danny Care and Seth Marks alongside him. And of course, Billy Andracki was between the posts.
In the first minute, O' Sullivan wowed the crowd with a magnificent slide tackle to break up a Charlotte attack. But in the second minute, a nasty collision between O'Sullivan, Rodriguez and two others resulted in both players lying down injured on the field. Rodriguez was able to continue. O'Sullivan was not.
In his first ever start, Richard O'Sullivan was forced to exit the match in the 9th minute, and was replaced by Ian Checcio (more on the specifics of the injury later). The first shot of the game came in the 13th when an Eddie Rodriguez free kick was easily smothered by Eagle keeper Dwayne Adams. Play was quiet offensively for the first 20 minutes with neither team being able to sustain possession for a good amount of time and the game being played mostly in the midfield save for a few dangerous attacks by Sean Michael-Callahan.
In the 23rd, the Silverbacks struck first. The goal was set up by Paul Schneider who beat a defender and dribbled into the left side of the 18 yard box, his cross found a wide open Callahan for a beautiful left footed volley that found the net. The shot just might have been the best goal for the Silverbacks all year and they weren't done yet. The Silverbacks continued to push forward and Callahan almost found the net again 4 minutes later. A nice move beat two Eagle defenders close to the corner flag and Callahan sped down the goal line and into the 6 yard box where his shot nearly found top netting. It would have been yet another beautiful goal from Callahan had it not been for the work of Adams, who pushed the ball over the cross bar for a corner. The Silverbacks continued to push forward in an attempt to extend their lead. But Charlotte nearly drew even with ten minutes remaining in the first half when a counterattack resulted in an Eagle attacker beating Jason Annichero down the left side. Billy Andracki was forced to come off his line and make a nice save.
Callahan continued to play well as a nice combination between he and Ryan Walker resulted in Walker getting an open shot just outside of the box. The shot was hit hard, but Adams barely had to move to make the save. Callahan's masterful play continued minutes later when he found Steve Armas for a shot outside the 18. Once again, the shot was placed directly at Adams and he made the save. Atlanta dominated the last five minutes of the first half as they won three consecutive corners late in injury time. However, the referee suspiciously decided to blow his whistle before the third corner to put an end to the first 45 minutes of play.
In the second half the Silverbacks showed they had no intentions of sitting on their lead. But they weren't able to generate any quality chances early. In the 60th minute, newly signed Jimmy Glenn entered the match in place of Sean Finn. Only two minutes after he entered, the Silverbacks struck. Callahan played a brilliant long ball that found Paul Schneider behind the defense inside the box. After two quick touches from Schneider, the ball lay in the back of the net and the Silverbacks led 2-0. But the Eagles continued to play hard and they finally put one in 3 minutes later. A Caleb Norkus free kick found the head of defender Ben Parry and his header beat a sprawling Andracki for a goal. The Eagles had the 'Backs on their heals after they pulled within one. In the 72nd, a cross found an Eagle attacker's head yet again; the shot beat Andracki, but sailed over the cross-bar.
With less than 10 minutes too go, the Eagles had their best opportunity to tie up the score. A free kick from the right side sailed into the 18 and an Eagle got to the ball before a charging Andracki could. His header flew inches over the crossbar and the 'Backs breathed a sigh of relief. As the match slowly began to come to a close, the Eagles furiously pushed forward. Just as the Silverbacks had done late in the first half, Charlotte won 3 straight corners in the 89th. But they failed to convert. Schneider nearly netted his second goal of the night in injury time off an Atlanta counterattack. A nice move beat a Charlotte defender into the box and his shot beat goalkeeper Dwayne Adams. But it wouldn't beat the crossbar. The ball hit the cross-bar and bounced straight down and appeared too have bounced over the goal line, but the ref was unable to make a definite call from his angle and the linesman was 15 yards down the field and out of the play. Callahan was able to get a shot off on the rebound, but his shot was to tall and the score remained 2-1. Finally, the Eagles ran out of time for a chance to tie things up and the ref blew the final whistle with the 'Backs on top 2-1.
As for Richard O'Sullivan, he returned from the dressing room to the bench in the second half on crutches. He had injured his ankle. The extent of the injury was not known but O'Sullivan had been scheduled for X-rays at the hospital after the game. Hopefully, O'Sullivan will be back in uniform in the near future. Overall, the Silverbacks looked good. They controlled most of the play and the defense looked as composed as ever. This team had a point to prove Saturday night.
A point to prove to all of their doubters, and most importantly themselves. They did prove their point with the 2-1 win, and now find themselves right back in the thick of things in the Central Conference where they sit in fourth place, two points behind the Nashville Metros with a game in hand. The Silverbacks were truly tested on their character and heart this weekend, and they passed that test with flying colors.
Silverback of the Match: Sean Michael-Callahan
If not for Callahan, the Silverbacks may not have won Saturday night. Callahan set up numerous chances in the first half and scored one of the prettier goals of the season in the first 45 as well. His long ball service on Paul Schneider's goal was perfectly placed. Callahan has been used mainly as a substitute so far this year, but his play Saturday night should have him penciled in as a starter for quite a while in Atlanta.
