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At the weekend the Atlanta Silverbacks surged out of last place, a position they had occupied for most of the season, and into seventh, swapping spots with FC Edmonton. Just a week later, the Silverbacks now welcome FC Edmonton to Atlanta with every intention of expanding the current gap of just one point that currently separates the two teams.

There is belief still in Atlanta that the Silverbacks can make a late playoff push. The side has been completely transformed under Interim Head Coach Eric Wynalda who has installed a fighting spirit in his squad and has added several new faces to the roster. Last weekend the Silverbacks won their first home game of the season, defeating the Puerto Rico Islanders 2-1 at Silverbacks Park for the side’s second victory in a row.

Dropping into last place comes as little surprise for an Edmonton side that has endured a difficult couple of months. The side held a 2-1-1 record in May, but has won just one of their eight games since. Last weekend the team lost 1-0 to Tampa Bay despite being up a man for most of the game.

The biggest problem for Edmonton is scoring goals. The team has scored just thirteen times in 16 games, and has been kept scoreless in nine games this season. Kyle Porter’s equalizer in Puerto Rico on July 7 ended a 436 minute scoreless streak and is the only goal Edmonton have scored since Michael Cox gave Edmonton a 1-0 win against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on June 10.

As Atlanta is beginning to get hot, FC Edmonton can’t allow themselves to slip far behind if they are to have any chance of qualifying for playoffs. The Silverbacks have already beaten the Eddies once this season, in Edmonton, after failing to get even a single point off them last season.

Atlanta Silverbacks vs. FC Edmonton

Saturday, July 21, 2012— 7:30 P.M. EDT

Silverbacks Park

Atlanta, GA

Webcast: NASL on ustream

TV: TV Azteca, CH 4

2012 Series:  Tied, 1-0-1, 3 points

2011 Series:  Edmonton, 4-0-0, 12 points

                                                Atlanta                                 Edmonton

Head Coach                        Eric Wynalda                      Harry Sinkgraven

2012 Records                    7^th: 3-5-9, 14 points          8^th: 3-4-9, 13 points                         

Last Five Games               L L L W W                            L T L T L

Goals Leader                     Reinaldo Navia (6)            Shaun Saiko (5)

Assists Leader                 Ciaran O’Brien (4)             Shaun Saiko (4)

QUICK FACTS

Atlanta

• Atlanta is 2-0-1 under Wynalda and is the only NASL team to collect all six points from their last two matches.
• Forward Matt Horth has scored a goal in four of the last five games.
• The Silverbacks have the worst discipline in the league (38 yellows, and 7 red cards), but have collected just five yellow cards and 0 red cards in three games under Wynalda.

Edmonton

• Edmonton has scored just one goal in the last six matches.
• Goalkeeper John Smits is deputizing for the injured Lance Parker has a 1.00 GAA in four games this season.
• The Eddies have recently acquired the services of Bryan Arguez and Dino Gardner.