The Atlanta Silverbacks continued to find a way to win with a 3-2 victory over a feisty Indiana Blast side that probably saw their playoff chances vanish tonight. The 'Backs are now 7-1-1 since a 5-7 start to the season and are primed to make the postseason. Once again, Atlanta made sure that plenty of balls found the net as they nailed down max points for the third time in four matches.
The Blast came into the game aware that only one loss could potentially knock them out of the playoff race, and things already weren't looking good before the opening whistle blew. Indiana's leading scorer Rodrigo Costa did not make the trip down south and the Blast's bench contained just two substitutes and back-up goalkeeper Josh Lynk.
While Indiana was forced to alter their lineup a bit, Coach John Dugan made a few changes as well. Andrew Restrepo got the start in the back in place of Danny Care. Sean Finn didn't crack the dress list as he was suspended for an accumulation of yellows.
After a quiet first 10 minutes, Ryan Walker was served inside the 18 yard box by Iggy Moleka. Walker blasted a shot into the net but he was offside. The Blast seemed content dropping back on defense and holding the ball in their own half as the first half wore on. But the 'Backs beat the Blast's defensive style in the 24th, and the end result was nearly a goal. The chance began with Sean Michael-Callahan received the ball in the left half of the box. The left winger took three touches and blasted a shot that was deflected by an Indiana defender to Ryan Walker at the penalty spot. With an open net, Walker's turn-around shot sailed high and wide. Play stayed quiet in the next 15 minutes. It was clear that Indiana was beginning to gain confidence in the midfield as they began to win an increasing number of 50-50 balls.
Finally, Indiana managed a chance in the 33rd minute, and they made the most of it. A high cross sailed over the outstretched arms of a leaping David Clemente and found the head of defender Mark Allen who flicked the ball inside the 6. An onrushing Matt Fundenburger pounced on the ball and sent it into the open net. But in the 39th minute, Atlanta beat the defense again. A nice pass found Eddie Rodriguez open on the right wing, his one touch cross just whizzed past striker Iggy Moleka's head, but it found the feet of Callahan on the left half of the field. Callahan sent a low cross to midfielder Ihor Dotshenko at the top of the 6-yard box.. But Dotshenko totally missed the net with a one touch effort that sailed over the top. The Blast dropped back for the rest of the half and continued to gain momentum and left the field for half-time with great confidence.
But Atlanta started fast in the second 45 minutes, and they found the net only 8 minutes into the second half on one of the prettiest goals of the year for Atlanta. Moleka found forward Ryan Walker inside the box. Walker sped past two defenders towards the left half of the box, then cut back to the middle to beat another, and unleashed a wicked shot off the far post and into the net.
With newfound confidence, the 'Backs pushed forward furiously, and their hard work paid off as they took the lead in the 58th. After an Indiana attack, Moleka wound up with the ball just inside Blast territory, Moleka sent a lob over the top of the defense to Callahan. With Blast goalkeeper David Winner charging, Callahan sent a spectacular chip over Callahan that hit the ground inside the 6 yard box and bounced in.
But Indiana did not give up, and they drew even in the 66th. After a Sean Michael Callahan foul 25 yards from goal, Jeremy Aldrich sent a spectacular curving free kick into the right upper 90. With the scored tied at 2, both teams pushed ahead hoping for a third goal.
Indiana had the first chance to score, but it was on the wrong goal, and it cost them dearly. A long ball from the back fell to the head of Aldrich, he attempted to head the ball back to Winner. But the former Silverbacks goalkeeper was charging the ball and the back pass sailed over his head and bounced off the post. Moleka easily touched the ball into the net.
Atlanta brought an extra defender into the match soon after as Danny Care entered in place of Eddie Rodriguez. The Blast tried to add offense in the 75th when James Prosser entered in place of defender Dwayne Demmin. But it wasn't enough, a fatigued Blast team wasn't able to muster up much of an attack in the final 15, and when they did David Clemente was up to the challenge in net for Atlanta. The final whistle blew with the Silverbacks on top.
After the win, Atlanta will travel to Charleston to take on the Battery at Blackbaud Stadium. The Battery sit just 4 points above Atlanta in the Central Conference with a game in hand, and a win for the 'Backs would earn them at least a tie for second place in the Central. A win would all but assure the 'Backs of a playoff birth, and would also get them back into contention for the Southern Derby Cup. Look for a fatigued Atlanta team to give it all they have tomorrow, but we can only wait and see if it will be enough.
Man of the Match: Iggy Moleka
Moleka probably deserves a few more of these honors with his play in recent weeks. The speedy striker was the key to Atlanta's attack Friday night, as he set up two goals and scored another. Moleka's play up top was absolutely the main reason Atlanta netted the bonus point. If Moleka can keep it up, the 'Backs will find the net plenty of times in Charleston.
Lineups:
ATLANTA - Clemente, Checcio, McSkimming, Annicchero, Restrepo, Callahan, Rodriguez (Care 69th), Parra(Merkel 61st), Dotsenko, Walker (Najarro 88th), Moleka (Peirano 78th)
INDIANA - Winner, Less (Parrish 45th), Allen, Aldrich, Knott, McDermont, Baah, Tenoff, Demmin, Presser, Fundenberger
Atlanta Indiana
Shots 18 8
Saves 4 6
Corner Kicks 2 2
Fouls 12 9
Offside 4 1
Scoring
32nd Funderburger
51st Walker (Moleka)
58th Callahan (Moleka)
65th Alrdrich (FK)
69th Moleka
Cards
66th- Restrepo (yellow)
75th- Baah (yellow)
