Indy Eleven vs. Atlanta Silverbacks
August 1, 2015
Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis
The Atlanta Silverbacks finished a four-match road trip with a second straight win. This win came at the expense of the Indy Eleven. Team leading scorer Pedro Mendes slotted home a Jaime Chavez pass in the 15th minute and incredible defense would make that one goal stand up. Manager Gary Smith is playing his hottest players up top and the Silverbacks, who struggled to find the net in the Spring Season, have scored nine goals in six matches this Fall Season. The back line, led by club captain Simon Mensing, has stood strong when necessary. Steward Ceus has settled back into the number one goalkeeper spot and made several important and two spectacular saves to preserve the shutout.
Indy Eleven would get four shots off in the 17th minute alone and a set piece opportunity two minutes later that was headed off the frame. Atlanta fans are glad to see that the framework is helping us after so many of our shots in the Spring Season went off the frame. Ceus would stop an attack early in the second half from Dane Richards. Indy Eleven would get several more opportunities in the last 15 minutes of the match, but unlike earlier against the Strikers, the Silverbacks defense was up to the challenge.
The win lifts the Silverbacks to second place in the Fall Table, sitting just three points behind Ottawa. More importantly, it lifts the Silverbacks to seventh in the Combined Table and only four points from a playoff spot. Atlanta returns home to face the Strikers this Wednesday and the defending NASL Champion San Antonio Scorpions on Saturday. Having played five of the first six Fall Season matches away from home, and more importantly earned points away from home, the Silverbacks play four of their next five matches at home. If the team is to ensure they are competitive for a playoff spot, then this stretch of games is crucial.
