After four straight losses against four very strong
teams, the Atlanta Silverbacks entered Thursday's
clash with Hampton Roads expecting to see a weak and
fatigued side playing their third match in just 5
days. A win seemed imminent, and a bonus point didn't
seem far from reach. But by thinking this, the 'Backs
made one of sports' most fatal mistakes,
underestimating an opponent. The Mariners took
advantage of this, and outplayed and outhustled a
shocked Atlanta side for 90 minutes before going down
on a lucky goal with 6 seconds left in the match.
After scoring two goals in Wednesday's 2-0 win over
the PDL's Memphis Express, John Barry Nusum cracked
the starting 11 for only the third time this season.
James Wall also entered the starting lineup in place
of Byron Mitchell. Meanwhile, Hampton Roads came to
town with three former Silverbacks in the starting
lineup: Captain Ian Checcio, left winger Sean
Michael-Callahan, and goalkeeper Taly Goode who was on
loan from the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS.
Callahan nearly set up the first goal of the match
when he full volleyed a cross into the 6-yard box, but
Ricardo Villar's bicycle kick lacked both power and
placement, and 'Backs goalkeeper Bryheem Hancock
smothered the shot with ease. Callahan was involved in
the attack again three minutes later when he streaked
into the right half of the box and towards the goal,
his initial attempt on goal was blocked, his second
was saved by Hancock, and the third was sent inches
wide by an off balance Callahan. Play would continue
with Hampton Roads having the better of the play. But
after the 25th minute, they would find themselves
trailing. Defender James Wall began the play with a
long ball from the back that fell to Nusum in the box.
The Furman University graduate muscled his way around
a Mariner defender, and sent his shot past a charging
Goode and into the back of the net.
Minutes later, Nusum was forced to come out with an injury and John
Akin, still looking for his first goal of the season,
entered in his place. Soon after Akin's entrance,
Brian Piesner gave Moleka a perfect through ball to
run onto. Moleka dribbled into the left half of the
box and found an unmarked Akin inside the 6. Goode was
guarding the near post before Moleka's pass, and had
no chance to make the save. But Akin missed the
virtually wide open net, and his shot clanked off the
post for the seventh time this season. Ricardo Villar
had a nice attempt in the 43rd, but Hancock saved his
instep shot. Moleka was served over the top in the
45th behind the defense, but Goode was quick to come
off his line, and he snatched the ball of the ground
just before Moleka could get to it.
Despite having the lead at the half, it was clear that
the Mariners weren't going to go away, and they scored
the equalizer just two minutes into the second half
when Jeff Dominguez's 25 yard blast beat Hancock far
post for the tie. The Mariners continued to dominate
the match after the goal, showing little signs of
fatigue. In the 72nd, Gary Glasgow found an onrushing
Kevin Knott in the left half of the box; Knott's
brilliant shot just missed the far post. Mariner
defender Rich Hansen nearly tied things up in the
77th, but his full volley from the right half of the
box hit right outside netting. Mariner substitute
Bryant Frederick had a good look from the top of the
box in the 87th, but a 'Back defender blocked his
attempt.
Atlanta thought they had scored the go ahead
goal in the 89th when Jordy Broder found Moleka, who
turned on Hutchinson and buried his shot passed a
charging Goode, but the referee ruled that Moleka had
fouled Hutchinson. The game took a dramatic turn late
in injury time. After winning a free kick in the right
half, Brian Piesner stepped up and found Alan Woods in
the right half of the box, Woods hit the ball poorly
with his head, but luck was on his side, as the ball
bounced awkwardly off his head, and sailed over Goode
and fell just inside the far post for the winning
goal. The final whistle was blown seconds after the
Mariners took the ensuing kickoff, and Atlanta had
escaped.
Despite the victory, the Silverbacks celebrated very
little after the match. They had played a very weak
game, and were lucky to beat a hardworking Mariner
side that was devastated it had somehow lost after
controlling much of the match. The Mariners did indeed
deserve the victory, but soccer is a funny game, and
they were sent home with nothing, while the 'Backs
enjoyed a much needed four points.
Man of the Match: Alan Woods
Give Woods credit for being at the right place at the
right time for the winning goal. But it was not just
Woods' goal but also his good play in back (especially
in the air).
Lineups
Atlanta- Hancock, Woods, Fletcher, Baptiste
(Annicchero, 75th), Wall, Piesner, Leib (Iotov, 45th),
Kraemer (Broder, 67th), Parra, Nusum (Akin, 29th),
Moleka
Hampton Roads- Goode, Hutchinson, Checcio, Hansen,
Warham, Lujan, Dominguez (Frederick, 79th), Callahan
(69th, King), Villar (69th, Henriquez), Glasgow
Stats
Shots Saves Corners Fouls Offside
Atlanta 9 2 5 17 12
Hampton Roads 9 1 7 13 2
Scoring
25th- Nusum (Wall)
47th- Dominguez (UA)
90th- Woods (Piesner)
Cards
22nd- Checcio
58th- Wall
