Saturday April 12, 2008
ATLANTA—The Silverbacks rolled over Georgia State University 4-0 in the club's final preseason scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Silverbacks Park. Rodrigo Rios, Mac Kandji, Ansu Toure, and Jason McLaughlin all tallied for the Silverbacks.

Coach Jason Smith used the scrimmage to implement a revised playing scheme for Saturday's season opener as the side could could conceivably be without several potential starters due to injury, suspension, and indoor commitments.  

“We know we are going to be short on personnel next week, so we made some adjustments,” Smith said. “We tested it out today. I think it's the right solution.”

The Silverbacks began the match with Felipe Quintero in goal, with Tate Parrish, Zach Kirby, Matt Bobo, and Martyn Lancaster playing a flat four in the back. In midfield Kandji played wide on the right side, with Tony McManus and Josh Bolton as dual holding midfielders tucked in behind Rios, with David Hayes playing wide on the left side and McLaughlin as the target up top.

“It's a little difficult learning a new formation at first,” said Hayes, who has moved to a more advanced position under the new scheme. “We've done well with the transition so far.”

The Silverbacks started out strong, controlling the run of play against the NCAA Division I club. In the seventh minute Rios calmly controlled a loose ball just outside the penalty area and fired a left-footed shot that just missed wide of the near post.

Three minutes later Rios did not miss, following up on a McLaughlin drive the GSU goalkeeper was unable to hold, cooly slotting the ball to the far post unchallenged. Kandji began the series that led to the goal, beating his marker down the right flank and finding McLaughlin with a nicely weighted cross. McLaughlin's first-timed strike handcuffed the goalkeeper, who batted the ball down into Rios' path.

Throughout the first half, the Silverbacks continued to pressure the GSU goal, and were unlucky to not add to the score sheet before the half time whistle. Rios, McLaughlin, and McManus all had opportunities, but were unable to connect.

Entering the second half, only minimal changes were made. Greg Chevalier replaced Parrish at left back, Blake Camp took over for Bolton, Toure replaced Hayes, and Kandji moved to the point with McLaughlin on the right flank. Ryan McIntosh replaced Quintero in goal for the second half. Neither goalkeeper was tested in the match.

Immediately Kandji's presence was felt up top. Just three minutes in Kandji got in behind the last defender forcing the goalkeeper to bat away a shot from 12-yards out. McLaughlin got on the end of the rebound and just missed wide left.

Three minutes later Kandji doubled the Silverbacks lead, connecting nicely with Toure. Kandji won the initial ball in the middle of the park, playing it wide to a streaking Toure, who beat one defender and found Kandji again for the tap-in from six-yards out.

Toure got a goal of his own in the 63rd minute, running onto a deftly played ball from Lancaster, cutting towards goal leaving a flailing defender in his wake before calmly slotting the ball past a stranded 'keeper to the far post.

With six minutes remaining McLaughlin, who had come close on several occasions on the day, finished a lovely ball in from Toure for the Silverbacks final goal on the day. McLaughlin, who had moved back into the middle of the park, put himself on the end of a floated ball from Toure on the left flank, finishing unquestionably from 15 yards out with his right foot.

“I think it was a good outing,” said Smith. “I'd feel much better if we had our entire roster, but it is one of those things you have to deal with. We're doing a pretty good job.”

The Silverbacks have Sunday off, and will resume work Monday with two sessions. The season opens Saturday April 19 versus the Carolina RailHawks at Silverbacks Park.

Seeing Red
Toure, who figured heavily into Smith's plans will have to wait to make his debut as a Silverback due to a suspension he incurred for his ejection in his final game with Minnesota last season. Toure will be available for the April 25 fixture versus Montreal.

Gone But Not Forgotten, Pard Duex
Justin Moore will rejoin the club Monday after missing the club's final tune-up so he could go on his honeymoon. Scott Buete, the club's 2007 MVP, and Warren Ukah, who led the team in goals in 2007, are both in the thick of MISL playoffs. Buete's Baltimore Blast routed the New Jersey Ironmen in the first of two quarterfinal matches 22-10. The second leg of the home-and-home series is Saturday April 11. Ukah and the Milwaukee Wave enter the playoffs in the semifinal round, which run April 18 and 20. The MISL finals are April 26.

Injury Report
Newly acquired midfielder Mike Ambersley underwent an exploratory knee scope Saturday after the injury he suffered the first week of preseason flared up after he began light training earlier this week. Initial MRI results only showed internal bruising. Should doctors find no additional damage, he is expected to miss at least two weeks of the season.

Nathan Knox, Jerson Monteiro, and Andre Sherard were all held out of Saturday's scrimmage for precationary reasons. Knox also missed Wednesday's scrimmage at Tusculum College due to a tender hamstring, and is listed day-to-day. Monteiro is nursing a slight groin strain and is day-to-day, as is Sherard, who turned his ankle at training on Friday. All three are listed as probable for Saturday's home opener.