Striker Iggy Moleka was recently quoted in the Atlanta Journal Constitution saying that there was a "playoff aroma in the air." After a solid 1-0 win against a hard working Indiana side, Atlanta got closer to their first playoff appearance in team history. Obviously, there is a lot of work left to do, but after the victory, Atlanta sits 8 points above the closest challenger for the third spot in the Central Conference.
Coach John Dugan made a few changes to the starting lineup. Leading scorer Iggy Moleka returned to the lineup from injury in place of Paul Schneider. Seth Marks also returned after missing the previous match due to injury in place of Randy Merkel. Meanwhile, it appears Atlanta is about to lose yet another starting goalkeeper. Rookie Taly Goode (who has only allowed one goal in his previous four matches), will play his final match with Atlanta Saturday against Connecticut and will leave for the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS to back-up former Silverback Bo Oshoniyi. Also, Richard O' Sullivan is expected out another 4-5 weeks with an injured ankle.
It was a blistering hot night at Dekalb Memorial Stadium. The temperature was close to 90 degrees and the players were sweating before the game began. Despite the unfortunate weather, Atlanta got off to a quick start and immediately began attacking the goal. Only 4 minutes into the match defensive midfielder Eddie Rodriguez stole the ball and found Moleka with a nice lob over the defense. Moleka tried to chip a charging David Winner as he entered the 18-yard box, but his left foot betrayed him and the ball sailed wide of the net. Six minutes later a spectacular low cross from Seth Marks found Carlos Parra inside the box. The former Rochester Rhino sent a screaming scissor kick over the top. In the next ten minutes, neither side was able to generate any chances with Atlanta holding most of the possession. In the 22nd Parra has another chance to score, but his 25-yard blast screamed over the top of the net. During the next 20 minutes, Indiana began to sustain more possession and string an increasing amount of passes together. However, the Atlanta defense of Jason Annichero, Shaun McSkimming, Danny Care and Ian Checcio did a nice job of shutting down Indiana striker Rodrigo Costa (who is the A-league's second leading goal scorer). Despite Costa's lack of touches, the Blast looked good towards the end of the first half but were unable to generate any chance of their own.
The Blast continued to play well as the second half began, not allowing Atlanta to test Winner in net. The first half-hour of the second half was a constant battle in the midfield while Dugan and Blast Coach Ian Martin made numerous personnel changes on the field. In the 52nd minute, Iggy Moleka exited the match in favor of Paul Schneider. Three minutes later, Martin substituted Matt Fundenburger for Andy McDermott. Super Sub Ryan Walker entered in the 58th in place of Seth Marks for the 'Backs, and in the 74th Randy Merkel came off the bench for Atlanta, replacing Sean Michael-Callahan in midfield. The substitution might have been the difference in the match. Seconds after entering the game, Merkel beat two defenders in the left half of the field and found Eddie Rodriguez 30 yards from goal. Rodriguez took one touch and then sent a low shot towards the right corner of the net. An outstretched David Winner got a hand to the ball, but he was unable to push the blistering shot wide and it deflected off his hands and into the net. The goal sent the Silverbacks team into a frenzy. Rodriguez had just scored perhaps the prettiest goal of the season for Atlanta.
Dugan took a forward off the pitch two minutes later when midfielder Sean Finn replaced Ihor Dotshenko. Indiana continued to push forward as the clock continued to count down. A desperate Blast team hoped to add more offense by sending Jeff Presser into the match in place of defender Dwanye Demmin in the 79th. Tommy Keenan entered in place of defender Andy Parrish in the 80th. But with Atlanta looking extremely composed in the back, it didn't seem Indiana had much of a chance to net a late goal. But Indiana continued to push forward and they were inches away from scoring the equalizer late in injury time. A free kick from the left side found the head of an Indiana player at the top of the 6-yard box; Taly Goode had no chance to make the save. But the ball skimmed the top of crossbar and sailed out for a goal kick. Walker nearly netted his third goal in four games when he streaked into the box and shot across his body towards the left corner, but David Winner made a diving save to keep Indiana's hopes alive. Despite Winner's heroics, the Blast weren't able to sustain an attack for the remainder of injury time and Atlanta recorded their third straight clean sheet en route to a 1-nil victory.
With their fourth straight win, Atlanta has not allowed a goal since Shaun McSkimming joined the team three matches ago. The defense looked very organized. Although he hasn't netted a point for Atlanta this season, Jason Annichero continued to play magnificent soccer in the back, winning almost every ball on defense whether it is in the air or on the ground. Also, the 'Backs now sit a mere two points behind the Charleston Battery for second place in the Central Conference.
Finally, it appears the Silverbacks have come together to play solid and consistent soccer. There is a lot of time left in the season. But if Atlanta can maintain good organization on the field (particularly in the back), that "playoff aroma" will become a reality.
Men of the Match: Eddie Rodriguez/Jason Annichero
It was impossible to choose between the two. Rodriguez's 30-yard blast made the difference in the match. He also distributed the ball very well in by far his best home match of the season. Meanwhile Annichero continued his steady play in the back. He also managed to keep Rodrigo Costa quiet all night and was able to steal the ball from the Blast at critical times in the back to prevent potential shots on goal.
Lineups:
ATLANTA - Goode, Checcio, McSkimming, Care, Annicchero, Marks (Walker 58), Callahan (Merkel 73), Rodriguez, Parra, Dotshenko (Finn 75), Moleka (Schneider 53)
INDIANA - Winner, Less, Knott, Allen, Demmin (Presser 80), Donaldson, Tenoff, Aldrich, Parrish (Keenan 81), Costa, McDermott (Fundenberger 56th)
Scoring
74th- Rodriguez (Merkel)
Atlanta Indiana
Shots 14 5
Saves 1 4
Corner Kicks 1 6
Fouls 5 6
Offside 2 3
Cards
43rd- Rodriguez (dissent)
65th- Parrish (unsporting behavior)
