They’ve Never Won On RailHawks’ Turf
The goal in competitive sports is to play in big games. Games that have consequences past just simple winning and losing.
The Atlanta Silverbacks, enjoying an outstanding first half of the North American Soccer League season, has that type of game on the road against the league-leading Carolina RailHawks, on June 29.
The Silverbacks have never won a game at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC. They figure there is always a first time.
A victory would put the Silverbacks back into first place in the NASL standings with one game left in the spring half of the league’s unique split season.
Finishing first would mean hosting the Soccer Bowl, the league’s championship in November between the winners of both halves of the season.
A victory by the RailHawks would clinch the first half of the season for them and home field for the league championship.
“We’re looking forward to the game and the good thing about it is that we’re only two points behind, so a win puts us right back above them,” said Silverbacks head coach Brian Haynex.
“As far as I’m concerned, all we’re concentrating on for this week is to go into their place and upset them. I think it’s possible for us to play our game there.”
The Silverbacks handed the RailHawks’ their only loss of the season. That came with a memorable 2-0 win at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on May 18 before a home crowd of 4,715. That victory was the Silverbacks first against the RailHawks since Atlanta joined the NASL in 2011.
The Silverbacks take a 5-3-2 regular season record to WakeMed Soccer Park. The five wins are just two off of the seven posted in 2012 when Atlanta finished seventh in the league with a 7-12-9 mark.
The Silverbacks have failed to qualify for the NASL playoffs the last two years. They did not field a team in 2009 and 2010.
As a USL franchise for 14 years, the Silverbacks made the playoffs only three times. They were playoff finalists in their inaugural season in 1995 and again in 2007.
Win, lose or draw, the Silverbacks will wrapup the first half of the season with a road trip to NSC Stadium against Minnesota United on July 4.
Atlanta will take a month break before starting the second half of the season on Aug. 3, against at NSC Stadium. against Minnesota. United.
A week after that they host the RailHawks at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on August 10.
The Silverbacks will take advantage of the one-month break to hold a July Player Combine to evaluate talent for the NASL Fall Season. The combine is set for July 12-13. Online information available at www.atlantasilver backs.com.
The NASL will grow from seven to eight teams for the second half of the season with the New York Cosmos taking the field for the first time.
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