The Atlanta Silverbacks turned in a strong performance Saturday night, but it wasn't enough, as they fell 2-1 to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, in front of a crowd of 3,227 fans at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. The game started off at a frantic pace with both teams finding the back of the net in the opening stages of the first half. The Strikers went ahead 1-0 in the 14th minute thanks to a clever chip by forward Martin Nuñez. Forward Aaron Wheeler brought down a long ball, and Nuñez quickly followed with a chip shot over the head of Silverbacks goalkeeper Felipe Quintero. The Silverbacks countered with a goal of their own two minutes later when defender Mario Pérez cut inside on the right side and fired a 20-yard strike past Strikers goalkeeper Nick Platter. The equalizing goal by Pérez was met with a roaring cheer from the hometown crowd. In the 42nd minute, midfielder Kohei Matsushita made a cross to Pérez that nearly resulted in a goal. Pérez attempted a volley that deflected towards Fernando Gonzalez, who fired an 18-yard effort just over the crossbar. The Strikers responded with a close effort of their own before halftime when Nuñez put a shot over the net from six yards away. In the second half, the home team continued to press offensively, but the Strikers stood strong on defense. In the 69th minute, Silverbacks defender Shane Moroney took a shot from close range, but Strikers defender Zach Kirby slid in to block his effort at the last moment. The Silverbacks looked to have finally grabbed the lead in the 77th minute when forward Emsad Zahirovic headed the ball into the net, but he was whistled for off-sides much to the dismay of the home crowd. The game took an unfortunate turn for the home team in the 87th minute when a penalty kick was awarded to the Strikers. Eduardo Coudet converted his second penalty kick of the season, rattling his shot off the crossbar and into the net to take Fort Lauderdale ahead, 2-1. The Silverbacks continue to apply pressure in the five minutes of stoppage time, but the Strikers held on for the win. The Silverbacks play their next game on the road against FC Tampa Bay on Saturday, April 30. The next home game will be Saturday, May 7 against FC Edmonton.
