The Atlanta Silverbacks stayed true to their recent form with a 5-2 pummeling of the Long Island Rough Riders on an overcast night in Atlanta. In their previous five matches, the 'Backs have outscored their opponents 14-3 and boast a 4-0-1 record over that span. Atlanta seems to have gotten things in order as the once struggling enters the final month of the season.
Atlanta altered their lineup a bit for the match against a fatigued Long Island squad that had been defeated in Nashville the night before. Ihor Dotshenko moved back to midfield in place of Sean Finn while Ryan Walker took Dotshenko's spot up top alongside Iggy Moleka. Moleka, who hadn't even suited up for the previous match, knocked Pablo Peirano out of the lineup. Making his third appearance of the season in between the posts was David Clemente. Despite being the back-up goalkeeper for most of the season, Silverbacks players seemed to have plenty of confidence in the rookies' abilities.
The match got off to a physical start with both teams making some hard tackles, Silverbacks midfielder Eddie Rodriguez received a yellow card just 3 minutes in.
Three injuries to Long Island players forced momentary stoppages in only the first 6 minutes of the match. In the 12th minute, Rough Rider midfielder Joseph Ragusa made a diagonal run from the left wing and was served unmarked in the left half of the box, Ragusa took several touches and unleashed a rocket towards the near post, the shot sailed wide.
Despite some good play by Long Island early on, Atlanta was able to get on the board first when Moleka was fouled 30 yards from goal. Eddie Rodriguez drilled a low shot on the ensuing free kick that beat a diving Oscar Mejia into the right corner.
Long Island earned the equalizer just two minutes later when they earned a free kick outside the right half of the 18-yard box. Moussa Sy matched Rodriguez's goal with a spectacular free kick of his own that beat Clemente and whistled into the left inside netting.
Long Island appeared to be gaining momentum and confidence but Atlanta kept their poise, and took the lead in the 28th. The attack began when Sean Michael-Callahan was served over the top down the left wing; Callahan sent a spectacular one touch cross that found the head of Iggy Moleka near the 6-yard box. Moleka sent a powerful header over Mejia and into the upper netting for the 2-1 lead.
Atlanta continued to attack for the remainder of the second half, but they failed to find the net.
Atlanta continued to push forward as the second half began, and it didn't take them very long to extend their lead to two. This time Moleka set up Callahan with a beautiful flick that landed just ahead of Callahan inside the box. Callahan calmly touched the ball over a charging Mejia for his fourth goal of the season.
But the Rough Riders hung tough, and their hard work paid off in minute 55. The play began when a low cross from defender Mick McDermott was met by a Joseph Ragusa volley that beat Clemente to the right corner and Long Island was right back in the match.
As always, Atlanta's vast amount of depth resulted in quite a few substitutions. And super sub Sean Finn contributed to a near goal in the 76th. Dribbling the ball down the right half, Finn blew by a defender near the end line and dribbled unmarked inside of the box. Finn found Moleka with a crisp pass. Moleka shielded the ball from a Rider defender close to the penalty spot, turned and his left footed shot hit the cross bar.
Three minutes later, Moleka got another chance. And this time he made the most of it. Callahan found the 'Backs' leading scorer making a run into the box. With a charging Mejia quickly coming at him, Moleka took a left footed touch past the sprawling keeper and sent the ball into the back of the net.
With the 4-2 lead, John Dugan made two defensive substitutions. In the 82nd, Sylvan Bednar entered for Moleka. And in the 83rd, Andrew Restrepo made his first appearance since injuring himself two weeks ago on the road in Minnesota.
As the match slowly wound towards the end, Atlanta began to drop back on defense. But two substitutes had other plans. With ten seconds left in stoppage time, Bednar played a perfect ball over the top of the Long Island defense. The ball landed right at the feet of Finn, who easily chipped a charging Mejia for the 5th goal of the night. The match ended with Atlanta setting a season high for goals in a match (in A-league games).
Atlanta looked good Saturday night, but it seemed that if Long Island hadn't been so fatigued, the score would have been much closer. There seemed to be a bit of uncertainty on the right side of the defense in the first half. But the problem was cured in the final 45 minutes. Scottish League Veteran defender Shaun McSkimming seems to be in a league of his own in the back and David Clemente ended a few attacks with some nice saves.
With the 5 point win, Atlanta now sits 8 points above of Nashville for the Central Conference's final automatic birth. But Atlanta must face the Metros in Nashville this Wednesday. A win for Atlanta would all but clinch a spot in the playoffs (barring a total collapse). But if Nashville wins, Atlanta will see their lead on the Metros dwindle. On Saturday, Atlanta will face last place Cincinnati. If the 'Backs can net two wins this week, Atlanta will be flying full speed ahead towards their 2001 goal, the playoffs.
Man of the Match: Sean Michael-Callahan
It seems that whenever Callahan has a big night, Atlanta scores plenty of goals. The 'Backs are 7-0 in matches when the left winger nets a point. Two assists, one goal, and enough dangerous offensive runs to give the Long Island defense fits, Callahan was the key to Atlanta's offensive outburst.
Lineups:
ATLANTA - Clemente , Checcio, McSkimming, Care (Restrepo 83rd), Annicchero, Parra, Callahan, Rodriguez (Merkel 64th), Dotshenko (Najarro 86th), Walker (Finn 70th), Moleka (Bednar 82nd)
LONG ISLAND - Mejia, Franske, Myrle, Luiseman, McDermott, Ragusa (Watkins 74th), Klinger, Danbusky, Fernandes (Weinstein 56th), Leon, Sy
Scoring
20th- Rodriguez
23rd- Sy (Leon)
29th- Moleka (Callahan)
51st- Callahan (Moleka)
56th- Ragusa (McDermott)
79th- Moleka (Callahan)
90th- Finn (Bednar)
Stats Atlanta Long Island
Shots 14 11
Saves 5 7
Corner Kicks 1 2
Fouls 15 17
Offsides 11 2
Cards
5th- Rodriguez
20th- Leon
34th- McDermott
37th- Care
46th- McSkimming
57th- Klinger
81st- Moleka
