The Atlanta Silverbacks opened the Fall Season in the same manner they closed the Spring Season, with a loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg. The Silverbacks dressed only 15 players due to injury concerns and some roster moves. Abdul Bangura, recently promoted from the reserves made his first appearance in the squad and came into the match in the 89th minute.
Atlanta opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, but it was a failed clearance off their own goal line that resulted in an own goal by Raushawn McKenzie.
The Rowdies doubled their lead in the 30th minute when fullback Darnell King shot just past an outstretched CJ Cochran, who was making his first start in goal since the U.S. Open Cup match at Chattanooga and his first league appearance since Steward Ceus returned from injury in week four. Ceus is currently on international duty with Haitian National Team for the Gold Cup.
A Paul Black corner in the 36th minute was deflected in by Rowdies defender Stefan Antonijevic, but the Rowdies headed to the break with a 2-1 lead.
The Silverbacks came out with much more energy and aggressiveness in the second half, which has been true of most matches this season. Josh Hughes, making his league debut, got a shot shot off in the 46th minute, and team leading scorer Shaka Bangura added another just two minutes later.
Ferrety Sousa came into the match in the 61st minute and provided a spark, but it was not enough. The match ended 2-1.
The Silverbacks ended the day 8th in the table on goal difference over Minnesota. The next match is a home match against the Jacksonville Armada in Atlanta.
Team President Andy Smith tweeted out late last week of an impending, offensive-minded signing that this team desperately needs. With all of the roster moves, the club is retooling in an effort to score more goals. That is essential if the Silverbacks are going to climb the table.
