The Atlanta Silverbacks and FC Carolina Discoveries played to a 2-2 draw at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on Friday night in an NPSL contest.
FC Carolina jumped out to an early lead via a Daniel Revivo goal in the eighth minute. Revivo drilled a low shot into the back of the net after a miscue by Atlanta center back Georgii Kulov.
But with Silverbacks midfielders Pedro Polaz and Abu Tommy getting on the ball, Atlanta began to dominate the possession game. In the 26th minute, Atlanta’s Joao Johanning Mora brought his side level when he got in behind the Carolina back line, rounded goalkeeper Bryson Siemon and tucked the ball home. Mora’s brilliant goal came just three minutes after he received a yellow card for simulation.
Mora’s blistering pace on the flank troubled Carolina, and Atlanta looked the more dangerous side as the first half wore on. Silverbacks right back Mitch Garcia let one fly from some 30 yards out, but he was denied by the crossbar. Carolina defended with tenacity as Atlanta began to seize the momentum, and the Discoveries managed to regain the lead on a perfectly executed counterattack.
The Silverbacks poured bodies into the area for an offensive corner kick, and when Carolina cleared their lines, the break was on. The Discoveries connected their passes on the swift counter, never slowing the attack as the Silverbacks players frantically chased. Revivo got on the end of the move for his second goal of the game.
Carolina’s 2-1 lead was short-lived to say the least. In stoppage time of the first half, Mora was tripped inside the area. He buried the penalty, sending Siemon the wrong way.
Having scored on the stroke of halftime, the Silverbacks had ample momentum heading into the break. However, the scoring party screeched to a halt in the second frame. Both sides had decent looks at goal, but no one was able to capitalize. Revivo lurked in and around the Atlanta 18-yard box, just as Mora created chances for Atlanta as he tormented Carolina’s outside backs. The physicality of the match increased, but the score line remained constant.
The Silverbacks’ holdup play from the attacking players helped them maintain possession, but the passing and movement ultimately did not lead to a game-winning goal. Still, the communication and understanding among the Atlanta midfielders was on display.
“We talked to each other,” Silverbacks midfielder Shaun Greenfield said. “We opened up. We tried to move as much as possible. We got a couple good touches—a couple good through balls at the end that didn’t go in.”
Greenfield explained that his team can still improve in a number of areas, especially pressuring as a unit, staying organized defensively and getting more shots on goal. Overall, though, the midfielder was pleased with his team’s effort.
“I think the intensity was good. We played well.”
Silverbacks head coach Jacenir Silva was also content with his group’s ability to possess, but he said that home games actually pose a challenge for his team because maintaining composure can be a struggle because of the adrenaline factor.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Silva said. “We need to understand that any game we have right here, the Silverback fans are coming.”
Silva added that composure in the final third—as well as getting beaten on the counterattack—is something for his team to work on as the season continues.
“When we take this ball and pass the midfield and we try to create something to score the goal, that’s the time we make some mistakes.”
On Sunday, the Silverbacks completed their regular season sweep of Carolina RailHawks NPSL, winning 2-1 on home turf. It was Atlanta’s third win in six games.
The Silverbacks will take on Tobacco Road FC at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on Saturday, June 18 at 7:30 pm. The two teams tied 1-1 in Durham earlier in the campaign.
