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A week after their dramatic win against FC Edmonton, the Carolina RailHawks fly south to take on the Atlanta Silverbacks in Atlanta, Georgia Saturday night. Since the Silverbacks joined the NASL in 2011, the team has failed to defeat the RailHawks in seven prior meetings.

In Carolina’s last match, Ty Shipalane was again the hero for the home side, coming off of the bench to score the game-winning goal in the first minute of stoppage time to defeat Edmonton 3-2 with a moment of individual brilliance inside the box. It was a familiar sight for the RailHawks who have seen Shipalane create or score a goal in the last five minutes of the match six times already this season. The victory closed the gap on the Minnesota Stars, who are now level on points with Carolina with 28, though the RailHawks have played one game less.

The Silverbacks are coming off of a scoreless draw with Minnesota Stars FC at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. The hosts were forced to play the final 30 minutes of the match a man down after Ciaran O’Brien was shown a straight red card in the 61^st minute. It was the second match in a row the Silverbacks defense kept their opponents off the score sheet.

The RailHawks continued their unbeaten record against the Silverbacks with a 2-1 victory in the last meeting between the sides. Nick Zimmerman spoiled Eric Wynalda’s professional coaching debut for the Silverbacks by scoring both goals inside of four minutes on either side of halftime. Seven previous meetings have resulted in a total of 28 goals, an average of four goals per game.

While the Silverbacks still have a slim shot at making the playoffs, every match is sure to be treated as a must-win for Head Coach Brian Haynes and his men as the try and capture the sixth and final playoff spot the RailHawks currently occupy. The RailHawks have collected just five points on the road this season, the fewest of any NASL team, and with trips to Puerto Rico, Edmonton, San Antonio, and Tampa Bay still to come, it isn’t about to get any easier for last year’s Regular Season Champions.   

Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Carolina RailHawks

Saturday, August 25, 2012— 7:30 P.M. EDT

Atlanta Silverbacks Park

Atlanta, GA

Webcast: NASL on ustream

TV: Azteca Atlanta CH 4

2012 Series:  Carolina, 2-1-0, 7 points

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

                                                Atlanta                              Carolina

Head Coach                         Brian Haynes                   Colin Clarke

2012 Records                     8^th: 4-7-11, 18 points      6^th: 7-7-7, 28 points

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

Goals Leader                       Matt Horth (6)                   Nick Zimmerman (12)

                                                Reinaldo Navia (6)          

Assists Leader                   Ciaran O’Brien (4)            Mike Palacio (6)

Atlanta

• Home record: 2-4-5 (worst in NASL)
• Unbeaten in August
• Haven’t beaten the RailHawks in NASL play
• Suspended: Ciaran O’Brien
• At risk: Martyn Lancaster, Ciaran O’Brien, Patrick Robertson (four yellows)

Carolina

• Away record: 1-2-6 (worst in NASL)
• Undefeated versus the Silverbacks since 2011 (6-1-0)
• Last three away matches: one goal scored, 11 conceded
• Suspended: None
• At risk of suspension: Gale Agbossoumonde, Amir Lowery (four yellows)