Wednesday August 22, 2007

          The Atlanta Silverbacks fell 3-0 tonight to the Seattle Sounders at Qwest Field, breaking Atlanta’s five-game unbeaten streak. The Silverbacks, 10-8-6, remain in fifth place of the USL First Division standings, but have yet to secure a spot in the 2007 playoffs. Atlanta will look to earn three points and clinch their spot in the postseason on Saturday night when they take on the Minnesota Thunder in the ‘Backs’ second leg of this two-game road trip. 
          Atlanta and Seattle went the entire first half with no goals for either side, despite an Atlanta attempt that saw the ball sneak across the mouth of the goal. Seattle had some dangerous chances as well, but the Atlanta defense, anchored by goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh, denied any Seattle shots. The second half opened and the Sounders quickly quieted all Atlanta hopes of walking away from Qwest Field with any points. Leighton O’Brien put away the game winner just two minutes into the second half when Roger Levesque fed him a ball inside the box; O’Brien ripped a shot that deflected off an Atlanta defender and hit the back of the net. Seattle doubled their lead in the 81st minute when O’Brien sent a cleared corner back into the box to an oncoming Taylor Graham who headed the ball into the net. Just two and half minutes later Seattle put the nail in the coffin with their third goal of the night. Kevin Sakuda fired a shot at McIntosh who made the initial save but couldn’t hold onto the ball; Levesque followed the shot and scored on the rebound.
          Atlanta will continue their road trip on Saturday night against the Minnesota Thunder. The ‘Backs will play their final regular season home match on Saturday, September 1 against the Puerto Rico Islanders at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. For ticket information, call 404-969-4900.