After the Atlanta Silverbacks had played 90 minutes of the ugliest and most likely worst soccer they will play all season, they had a decision to make. To continue their undefeated ways, or see themselves heading to their biggest game of the young season with their heads held down.
The 'Backs made the correct decision, and stole a win from a strong Montreal Impact side that probably should have finished Atlanta off in regulation.
The best news of the night came at the beginning, when James Wall finally exited the injured list and entered the lineup in the back. Also, Jason Annicchero and Carlos Parra dressed for the first time of the year after injuries had hampered their seasons so far.
Annicchero would not make an appearance, but it would be a big night for Parra. After a strong performance last weekend, Silverbacks coach Brett Mosen surprised many by inserting forward Velko Iotov in place of leading scorer Iggy Moleka.
Atlanta almost began the scoring in only the 2nd minute of play when midfielder Steve Kraemer was served a beautiful diagonal ball from winger Brian Piesner. With a defender at his back and Montreal's prodigious goalkeeper Greg Sutton charging, Kraemer chipped the ball high and wide of the goal.
Montreal would dominate the first half from then on. But poor finishing cost them any chance at snagging the lead. In the 7th minute, Eduardo Sebgrango muscled his way past the Atlanta defense, but blasted his shot over Bryheem Hancock's goal. Then in the 21st, David Frominadis found himself with an open shot at Hancock from the right half of the box, but Frominadis took one touch too many, and Judah Cooks stormed in to block his shot away.
Montreal's first half domination continued, but still, they were unable to place a ball into Atlanta's goal. Meanwhile, the 'Backs played their worst soccer of the season. Rarely holding the ball for more then 5 seconds before sending an errant pass over the top for either Iotov or Jon Akin to run onto. The impatient system worked unfavorably. And finally Montreal scored with seconds remaining in the first half. After Giuliano Oliviera found Eduardo Sebrango at Atlanta's penalty spot he was able to turn to his right and send a shot with very little pace that looked like a sure save. But Hancock hesitated, and his dive came too late as the ball rested in the back of the Atlanta net.
The two teams went into their respective locker rooms with completely opposite views of the first 45 minutes.
For the Impact, a win seemed very close to reality, and if they could continue their organized and intelligent play (especially in the back), and use Biello and Sebrango to their advantage up front, a win seemed imminent, as were a few more goals.
For Atlanta, a complete change of play was needed. Whatever Mosen said to the 'Backs in the locker room was successful. Firstly, midfielders Carlos Parra and Nate Hetherington entered the match in place of Ryan Leib and Carl Fletcher. Then, the 'Backs deadlocked the match just four minutes into the second half.
As usual, Brian Piesner was involved in a goal as his cross found the head of Steve Kraemer in the left half of the box. Kraemer headed the ball down inside the 6-yard box where Iotov pounced on the ball just before Sutton could get there and blasted the ball into the upper netting. Hetherington nearly made Mosen look like a genius in the 68th as the substitute broke into the box alone, but his shot somehow missed the right corner by inches.
In the 78th minute, Atlanta inserted the attacking minded Jordy Broder for midfielder Judah Cooks. And just six minutes after his entrance, Broder had the best chance of the second half. The play began with the ball appearing to be rolling into Sutton's hands, but Piesner charged around an Impact defender and attempted to put the ball over Sutton. But his shot deflected off the keeper's chest and fell to Broder's feet at the top of the box with a wide open net. The crowd rose to their feet as Broder took one touch and then somehow blasted the ball over the goal.
Despite scoring a goal, Velko Iotov wasn't anywhere close to matching his performance of the week before, and he exited the match with Moleka entering. In the 88th, Dan Annan beat Atlanta down the right side and entered the box, Annan's shot squeaked past a diving Hancock, but the low shot missed the far post by inches. The referees gave the teams 5 minutes of stoppage time (largely due to an injury to Brian Piesner injury that resulted in a squabble between the two teams at midfield), but neither could put the ball in the back of the net and the match went to overtime.
Montreal dominated the 1st OT and should have sent Atlanta home unhappy in the 97th minute. But Mauro Biello's shot off a low cross hit the outside of the post and bounced out for a goal kick. James Wall saved the day for Atlanta in the 99th when he blocked Annan's shot from inside the box that would have screamed into the goal if not for the Englishmen's heroics.
Two minutes into the second overtime, Carlos Parra ended his return to the pitch in style. After winning a free kick from 20 yards away, Parra stepped up and struck a brilliant ball that curved near post upper 90 for the winner. The 'Backs celebrated their fifth consecutive victory of the season jubilantly at midfield and sent the Impact home heartbroken.
It must be said that Atlanta was lucky to net the four points out of their Saturday evening encounter with the Impact. As both goals were against the run of play and they saw very little of the ball in the first half. If not for magnificent play from their backline and a little bit of luck thanks to the woodwork, the Impact would have surely been celebrating a victory. But the best teams will always somehow find a way to win, and Atlanta has now escaped with close victories in successive weekends.
Their true test comes on Wednesday, when they face last year's A-league regular season champs, the Richmond Kickers. The Kickers will come to town with former 'Backs Josh Henderson, Ihor Dotshenko and Ronnie Pascale looking to do big things against their former squad. But there is no doubt that Atlanta will be ready come Wednesday evening, as a win will place themselves among the A-league's elite for the first time in many years.
Man of the Match: Carlos Parra
Although he was invincible for most of his time on the pitch Saturday, Parra found a way to bring victory to his team with a spectacular free kick that gave Atlanta the win. With Parra's return to the midfield, Atlanta can only get better.
Lineups
Atlanta-Hancock, Iotov(Moleka 85th), Woods, Kraemer, Akin (Michell 100th), Leib (Parra 45th), Piesner, Wall, Baptiste, Cooks (Broder 76th), Fletcher(Hetherington 45th)
Montreal-Sutton, Braz, Corneli(Pizzolitto 52nd), Gervais, Barker, Ditullo(Roberto 88th), DeSantis(Leduc 70th), Frominadis(Annan 63rd), Oliveiero (Placentino 56th), Sebrango, Biello
Stats
Shots Saves Fouls Corners Offside
Atlanta 9 7 5 3 0
Montreal 13 2 14 5 2
Scoring
45th- Sebrango (Oliviero)
49th- Iotov (Kraemer)
103rd- Parra (FK)
Cards
6th- Judah Cooks
21st- David Frominadis
23rd- Nick Desantis
