Silverbacks advance in U.S. Open Cup

Raphael Cox scored the winning goal, and now he is going home to play the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer.

Cox’s goal gave the Silverbacks a 1-0 win over the Georgia Revolution in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday at RYSA Soccerplex.

The Silverbacks, originally scheduled to host the next round of U.S. Open Cup play were given an offer they couldn’t refuse and will play the game in Seattle. On May 30.

“This will be a huge game,” said Cox, who is from Seattle and played at the University of Washington.

“The decision associated with the venue change wasn/t easy, by any means,” said Silverbacks Chairman Boris Jerkunica, in a team press release. “Seattle Sounders FC presented us with an offer that we simply couldn’t refuse, and in the end, it was a decision that was based on the balance between instant gratification and long-term improvement.”

It marks the first time since the Silverbacks joined the North American Soccer League two years ago, that it has had a game against a MLS team.

The U.S. Open Cup is win-or-go-home event available to teams from the adult amateur level to the pros, as long as they are affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation

The Revolution, which play in the semi-pro National Premier Soccer League, defeated Mississippi Brilla 1-0 in their first-round game to earn the right to host the Silverbacks in the second round.

The Silverbacks are still alive because of Cox and backup goalkeeper Joe Nasco.

Cox intercepted a poor cross-field clearance in the Revolution’s half of the field, drove down the left, beat a defender and unleashed a low shot that beat Zack Schultze to the far post in the 61st minute.

“He scored an amazing goal,” Silverbacks coach Alex Pineda Chacon said.
The goal was the game-winner because Nasco saved a penalty in the 42nd minute.

According to the Silverbacks release, the club will offer free tickets to their home game on June 16 against the Carolina RailHawks. Tickets can be requested by cvalling 404-969-4900.

The club will use some of the resources from the Seattle deal to improve the team through additional player signings. Also the club will see an exhibition game for Atlanta Silverbacks Park against a MLS team.