PREVIEW | SIlverbacks Aim To Rebound At Home Against The RailHawks

After their first home loss in more than 100 days, the Atlanta Silverbacks look begin their streak anew against the Carolina RailHawks at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on Saturday night.

The match will mark the second time in three weeks the two clubs have gone against each other, and it will also be the third and final match between them in the regular season. Both squads are level on points and only five points away from a postseason position, so there is high importance for this final stretch of games.

As a whole, the 2015 series is split between the two clubs with both of their previous games being played at WakeMed Soccer Park. Since the 2013 Fall Season, the Silverbacks have never beaten the RailHawks at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. This weekend may change that, though, as the Silverbacks have been notoriously good at home.

Whereas the Silverbacks have been excellent at home, the RailHawks have had a rough stretch on the road. Carolina has lost all but one game away from WakeMed Soccer Park, and that game was a 3-3 draw with San Antonio.

The RailHawks’ last match, coincidentally, was also against the Loons in Blaine, Minn. After going up a goal, they allowed Minnesota three of its own, ending the game with a 3-1 scoreline

One player who won’t be making his way into the starting lineup for Atlanta is defender — and minutes-played leader — Rauwshan McKenzie. McKenzie was ejected in the 4th minute of the midweek match against Minnesota United.

Atlanta and Carolina both need to tack on points to move closer to a berth in The Championship, the NASL’s four-team postseason tournament. With Atlanta’s home form and Carolina’s form on the road, Saturday marks the perfect opportunity for the Silverbacks to make their final tuneups before heading into the most difficult part of their season.