News

The Atlanta Silverbacks host Minnesota Stars FC for the fourth and final meeting between the two sides this season at Atlanta Silverbacks Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The last time the Stars visited Atlanta, the hosts dropped a two-goal lead after a strike from Devin Del Do and a long-distance Justin Davis equalizer stole a point for the visitors in the final moments of the match.

The hosts are coming off of a deserved draw with the red-hot Tampa Bay Rowdies. Daniel Illyes kept his third shutout of the season for the Silverbacks, and was forced to deny Matt Clare from the penalty spot. The match was Eric Wynalda’s last as head coach, before Brian Haynes takes over.

Winless in four heading into their match with the San Antonio Scorpions, Minnesota failed to win yet again. Justin Davis and Martin Nuñez both had goals disallowed for the Stars, before Hans Denissen scored the game-winning goal from the penalty spot. The loss was tough to swallow for the players and fans who felt hard done by the referees’ decisions. The loss meant that the Stars dropped to fifth in the standings, a full three points behind the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

In their last meeting, a new-look Silverbacks side left Minnesota with a vital win—just their second of the season and first under Wynalda. It was also Atlanta’s first-ever win against the Stars. Repeating the feat would go a long way for the Silverbacks who can still challenge for a spot in the playoffs after missing out last year.

Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Minnesota Stars FC

Saturday, August 18, 2012— 7:30 P.M. EDT

Atlanta Silverbacks Park

Atlanta, GA

Webcast: NASL on ustream

TV: Azteca Atlanta CH 4

2012 Series:  Tied, 1-1-1, 4 points

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

                                               Atlanta                                 Minnesota         

Head Coach                         Brian Haynes                      Manny Lagos    

2012 Records                     8^th: 4-6-11, 18 points       5^th: 7-6-8, 27 points

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

Goals Leader                       Matt Horth (6)                   Simone Bracalello (5)

                                                Reinaldo Navia (6)           Martin Nuñez (5)

Assists Leader                   Ciaran O’Brien (4)            Brian Kallman (4)

Atlanta

• 2-3-5 at home
• Unbeaten in August
• All-time record against the Stars: 1-1-5
• Suspended: None
• At risk: Martyn Lancaster, Patrick Robertson (four yellows)

Minnesota

• 2-5-4 on the road
• Winless in last five matches
• Last away win: 5/19 vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• Suspended: None
• At risk of suspension: Neil Hlavaty, Martin Nuñez (four yellows)