Look out A-league, the Atlanta Silverbacks are for real.
After back-to-back victories over Charlotte last weekend, the Silverbacks destroyed a fatigued Cincinnati Riverhawk team 3-0. The new look Silverbacks sported two new players and three new starters for this weeks match. Despite the fact that the The 'Backs weren't at full strength, they played as if they had twelve players on the pitch.
Two new players debuted in a 'Backs uniform this week, and one other made a debut as a starter. Carlos Parra and Andy Restreppo were named to the starting 11 after being signed by the team in trades this week (Restreppo for a draft pick and Parra for team captain Steve Armas). Meanwhile Jimmy Glenn made his first start after playing his first two matches last weekend as a sub. Billy Andracki replaced Armas as the team captain against the Riverhawks and started in the net.
On the back line were Jason Annichero (who has started every match so far this year), Restreppo, Danny Care and Seth Marks. In central midfield were Eddie Rodriguez and Para, while Ryan Walker and Sean Michael-Callahan played on the wings. Paul Schneider and Jimmy Glenn started out as the two strikers.
Meanwhile, the Cincinatti Riverhawks came into Atlanta with little inspiration and plenty of fatigue. Even during warmups, it was apparent that the team was worn out from a 3-2 overtime loss in Charlotte the night before.
The teams spent the first five minutes feeling each other out. But in the 7th the Silverbacks attained their first of many chances to come. Coming off a superb match last week, Sean Michael-Callahan dribbled into the left half of the 18 yard box and drew goalkeeper Alfredo Estrada off his line sending a cross in front of a wide open net was headed out by the Riverhawks. The Silverbacks continued to control the possession for the next 15 minutes but were unable to test Estrada again until the 25th minute of play.
A Callahan cross found the foot of Jimmy Glenn inside the box. With no defender in sight, Glenn drilled the ball right into the awaiting arms of Estrada and the match remained scoreless. The flankers continued their great play when Ryan Walker split two defenders and dribbled into the left side of the box, Walker decided to try to beat a charging Estrada with a shot to the near post but the goalkeeper was up to the task and he deflected the shot wide of the net.
Neither team was able too muster a chance after that in the first half, but the referee managed to keep both teams on their toes. In the 32nd, a Riverhawk player attempted to play the ball while on the ground but dangerous play was not called. Then as the ball rolled away, Ryan Walker went down and was given a yellow card for a dive. It was an interesting call by the referee to say the least. Both sides were extremely unhappy with some very questionable calls made by the head official, but in the end none of them would have an effect on the outcome of the match. The second half began with a bang in the 51st that put Atlanta on top.
A Callahan corner from the left side found the head of Ryan Walker at the far post, a spectacular header by Walker landed inside the 6 where a goal line scramble resulted in a Paul Schneider shot into the upper netting. The Silverbacks were up 1-0, and they never looked back.
In the 62nd, Sean Finn was substituted into the match in place of Jimmy Glenn. Finn made his coach look good when he scored 30 seconds later. Some exceptional dribbling by Ryan Walker resulted in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper that was again thwarted by Estrada, but the ball deflected off the keeper and fell toward the feet of Finn. Finn easily chipped the ball over Estrada and into the right corner of the goal. The goal sent the team and crowd into a frenzy, finally the 'Backs were playing the soccer they were capable of.
After the Finn goal, Atlanta veteran Sylvan Bednar entered in place of Eddie Rodriguez to add an extra defender to the lineup. One minute later a hard tackle on Finn resulted in a red card. The man advantage saw the Silverbacks controlling the play and a counterattack in the 73rd minute rewarded them with the infamous bonus point. After stealing the ball in their own half, the Silverbacks charged down the field with only 3 defenders back. Paul Schneider was fouled and taken down but the ref allowed the play to continue because of advantage when the ball fell right at the feet of Carlos Parra. Parra sent a pass across the field to the Callahan who sent a 25 yarder into the corner that left Estrada hopeless. Three minutes later a fatigued Ryan Walker left the match after a good nights work with Roberto Najarro replacing him.
Cincinatti's best chance to score came in the 78th minute when a half volley was saved by Billy Andracki, the ball popped up into the air and Andracki saved the insuing rebound to keep the Riverhawks scoreless. The final 12 minutes ended with Roberto Najarro managing a few chances and Paul Schneider shanking a breakaway chance over the net. Clearly, the Silverbacks could have scored a few more.
Finally, after nearly one month of struggling to find their game. The Silverbacks are playing the kind of soccer they know they can play. It may have taken significant changes from the front office to straighten things out. But last nights lineup saw a team on top of it's game, and hungry to win. The Silverbacks have finally began to show that they can play soccer on a very high level. The big question now is whether they can come out with the same intensity, heart and skill that they have shown the last two weeks. If they do, it will be a very positive season in Atlanta to say the very least.
Man of the Match: Sean Michael-Callahan
For the second straight week, the winger gets the honor with a goal and an assist. Once again, Callahan's speed found the midfielder all over the field making big plays. He set up numerous chances and was involved in all three goals. His play the last two matches has been absolutely top class. And if he keeps it up, he has a chance to be one of the A-league's best.
ATLANTA - Andracki-G, Annicchero-D, Restrepo-D, Care-D, Marks-D, Rodriguez-M(Bednar, 65), Parra-M, Walker-M (Najarro, 77), Callahan-M, Schneider-F, Glenn-F(Finn, 62)
CINCINNATI - Estrada-G, Pickup-D, Fall-D, Masturzo-D(Vaugh, 62), Desedebas-D, Roetker-M, Burlew-M, Alcero-M,. Roberts-M, Labastida-F(Matis, 62), Muccino-F (Lowey, 82)
Schneider 57th ( Walker)
Finn 62nd
Callahan 73rd (Parra)
