Silverbacks Blow Away Greenville

by Josh Bagriansky, a-league.com Match Reporter

Sunday, April 29, 2001
Coming into Saturday nights match against the Greenville Lions of D3, a confidence existed in the Silverbacks that is not seen often before a soccer match. They knew that their talent was absolutely superior compared to Greenville, and they were nearly certain they would win. But it wasn't just a win that would have them ready for the a-league schedule too begin next week, it was a blowout that they needed, after they were nearly upset by the same team less than one week prior to the match. The Silverbacks did exactly as they needed, with a resounding 5-1 pounding of the D3 Greenville Lions; the Silverbacks are most definitely ready for the A-league opener against the Nashville Metros next week.

The Silverbacks came out with a lineup that had been tweaked from their first match. First of all, Eric Simms was relegated too the backup position at keeper. Starting in net was David Clemente. Clemente comes too the Silverbacks from University of Alabama Birmingham.

Danny Care, after an ugly injury last weekend, did not start (although he did dress for the match). In his place was Sylvan Bednar. Out of the starting lineup were Seth Marks and Peter Byruhanga. Ryan Walker moved up to Striker to fill Byruhanga's spot. Meanwhile, Randy Merkel and Rivers Guthrie entered the starting lineup in the midfield. The Silverbacks offense quickly began functioning in the second minute as Pablo Peirano found some space outside the 18 yard box and forced Greenville keeper Jeb Huckabee to make his first save of the match. After David Clemente's first punt as keeper for the Silverbacks, he slipped and fell on the pitiful looking field after kicking the ball. Clearly, there was going to be a lot of slipping by players during the match.

The Lions were inches away from taking the lead 9 minutes into the match. A pass inside of Clemente's box forced the rookie to come off his line and push the ball away, with Clemente lying on the ground, Greenville had two cracks at a wide open net. The first attempt was blocked; Jerome Lee Yaw sent the second attempt over the crossbar. The Silverbacks had the next scoring chance three minutes later when Sean Finn crossed to Randy Merkel whose header missed the goal. As the game progressed, the referees began too make some very questionable calls in favor of Atlanta. Greenville was getting frustrated with these calls and received a few yellow cards for arguing. The 'Backs finally struck in minute 23 when Randy Merkel found Ryan Walker behind the Greenville defense. Walker easily buried the breakaway shot past Huckabee and into the left corner.

Walker got behind the Lion defense again a few minutes later; a Greenville defender yanked him down from behind. One of the many yellow cards during the match was issued. Pablo Peirano almost scored his first netter of the year after another shot outside 18 forced Huckabee to make a diving save. In the 35th minute, Iggy Moleka put Atlanta up 2-0 after Ryan Walker served him over the top for a breakaway that Moleka finished easily. The Silverbacks missed a chance in minute 40 when Iggy Moleka missed the goal after a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

The first half came too an end with the Silverbacks still leading 2-0. The field was in horrible shape by the half with sod coming up all over the pitch.

The second half got off too a slow start until Iggy Moleka began to wreak havoc on the Greenville defense. In the 55th minute, Moleka found himself on a breakaway with Huckabee charging, Moleka chipped the ball over the diving Huckabee only to see the ball bounce off the post. Only one minute later, the Silverbacks made it 3-nil.

Winger Rivers Guthrie put on an absolutely superb dribbling clinic and beat two Greenville defenders on the left touchline and found Randy Merkel making a far post run for a beautiful diving header into the left corner. This goal just might be one of the prettiest the Silverbacks will score all year. The Silverbacks began to empty their bench in the 68th minute when Peter Byruhanga entered for Guthrie. Danny Care entered the match for Sylvan Bednar in the 72nd. The Silverbacks brought Ian Checcio and Sean Callahan into the match for Jason Annichero and Randy Merkel in the 75th. Keith Beach entered one minute later for the Silverbacks' fifth and final substitution of the match.

In minute 85 Sean Callahan dribbled into the 18-yard box and found an open Moleka who shot over the goal. Henrick Ronnevia scored a garbage goal for the Lions in the 88th minute. Later, in injury time, Callahan found a wide-open Moleka again inside 18. This time, Moleka made sure the ball ended up in the back of the net too finish off the scoring for the night.

After the dominating match Saturday, Atlanta has finally began to work together as a unit. The squad is looking for a positive result when they finish off their two game homestand Saturday against Nashville. Finally, Atlanta has begun to play the solid soccer that their lineup is capable of playing. But will they be able to carry this over to the A-League?

Or will the Silverbacks be plagued by yet another inconsistent and frustrating season, only time will tell. We wish the Silverbacks luck, as they enter their 6 month journey into the a-league regular season.