The depleted Silverbacks squad finished out the four-game road swing without the services of Rodrigo Rios, Macoumba Kandji, Justin Moore, Scott Buete, and Sean Cameron due to various reasons.

Vancouver opened the game with much of the offensive pressure, earning six corner kicks in the first 13 minutes of the match and finishing the game with 10 total corners.

(Photo Caption: Tony McManus and the Silverbacks will return home this Saturday to face the Rochester Rhinos. Photo by Ron Holt).

The Whitecaps’ efforts would eventually pay off in the 35th minute, when Vancouver midfielder Lyle Martin made numerous cuts at the top of the 18-yard box, beating several Atlanta defenders before firing a beautiful left-footed shot into the top corner of the goal, past Atlanta keeper Felipe Quintero to give the Whitecaps the lead.

Atlanta would stave off repeated opportunities from the Whitecaps and enter the half down a goal.

In the 63rd minute, Atlanta midfielder Jason McLaughlin nearly caught Whitecap keeper Jay Nolly off his line when he struck a 30-yard ball that dipped late, just over the crossbar. This would prove to be the Silverbacks’ best chance of the match; however, the Whitecaps would answer right back.

In the 68th minute, Eduardo Sebrango received a ball from the left flank from Vicente Arze. Sebrango was able to get inside position and beat an Atlanta defender inside the 6-yard box, turn, and clank his shot off Quintero and the crossbar, and down into the goal to double the Vancouver lead.

The Whitecaps nearly added another goal in the waning minutes when substitute forward Randy Edwini-Bonsu found himself on an open breakaway, but his shot hit the outside of the side netting.

The Silverbacks have now fallen to 8-10-8 after dropping all four games of the road trip, moving Atlanta’s road record to just 1-8-3. Yet, Atlanta will return home on Saturday to Atlanta Silverbacks Park, where they hold a 7-2-5 record.

Meanwhile, the Whitecaps have gained sole possession first place with a 13-6-6 record, moving ahead of the Puerto Rico Islanders. The two teams will meet for two matches next week in Puerto Rico, which could very well decide the top seed in the USL-1 playoff picture.

The Silverbacks’ final regular season home game will be against the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday, August 30th at 7:55 PM. For tickets or more information, please call 1-866-GO-BACKS or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

Around the League:
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Game Summary: (Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, August 27th, 2008)

Scoring Summary:
VAN: Lyle Martin – 35’
VAN: Eduardo Sebrango – 68’ (Vicente Arze)

Atlanta Starters: Felipe Quintero, Brent Sancho, David Hayes, Matt Bobo, Martyn Lancaster, Jason McLaughlin, Tony McManus, Josh Bolton, Aaron Paye, Jerson Monteiro
Substitutions: Zach Kirby for Jerson Monteiro (45’), Greg Chevalier for Tony McManus (72’), Blake Camp for Aaron Paye (74’)
Cautions: Martyn Lancaster

Vancouver Starters: Jay Nolly, Luca Bellisomo, Omar Jarun, Wesley Charles, Takashi Hirano, Lyle Martin, Martin Nash, Mason Trafford, Alfredo Valente, Eduardo Sebrango, Nicholas Addlery
Substitutions: Jeff Clarke for Mason Trafford (45’), Steve Kindel for Wesley Charles (55’), Vicente Arze for Alfredo Valente (65’), Justin Moose for Luca Bellisomo (67’), Randy Edwini-Bonsu for Nicholas Addlery (78’)
Cautions: