By Tyler Strauss
New York Cosmos (2-1-0) vs. Atlanta Silverbacks (1-2-0)
April 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Atlanta Silverbacks Park in Atlanta, Georgia
New York Cosmos: Coming off of a 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies in their home opener, the Cosmos travel to Atlanta to take on the Silverbacks. Marcos Senna converted a penalty kick to put the Cosmos up 1-0 against Tampa Bay in the 11th minute last Saturday. In the second half Leo Fernandes fired home a second goal following strong build-up from Senna and Walter Restrepo, who recorded his third assist of the season.
The Cosmos are fighting to stay undefeated and on top of the Spring Season standings. Three points in Atlanta on Saturday would likely propel the Cosmos to an even stronger position at the top of the league.
Atlanta Silverbacks: The Silverbacks played against the Carolina Railhawks this past weekend, winning 2-1 on the road. They scored two goals after halftime before Carolina pulled one back late in the game. The scorers were Shaka Bangura and Jonathan Okafor for the Silverbacks.
Atlanta enters this game with five points on the year via last week’s win and back-to-back draws to open the season. The Silverbacks are also looking to remain unbeaten and snatch first place from the Cosmos.
All three contests between these two clubs played in the 2014 NASL Season resulted in victories for the Cosmos. The first match came at the beginning of 2014, and saw the Cosmos thrash the Silverbacks 4-0.
Their most recent meeting came on September 13, 2014 at Shuart Stadium. The result was a 3-2 victory for the Cosmos. They were able to jump out to an early two-goal lead, but the Silverbacks drew even in the second half. It took a late winner by Danny Szetela to decide the match in the 84th minute.
"It was an unbelievable atmosphere to play in. I thought we put in a really good performance and scored a couple good goals."
-Hunter Gorskie on the Cosmos first win at Shuart Stadium
"We just need to keep doing the things we've been doing right: keeping possession and putting away our chances."
-Leo Fernandes on facing Atlanta at Silverbacks Park
"We expect this game to be very difficult, playing against Atlanta there. For us it's another final."
*Read the Silverbacks' match previews here, here and here