PREVIEW | Silverbacks Host Scorpions Seeking Fourth Win In A Row

The Atlanta Silverbacks continue a two-game home stint on Saturday, August 8, against the San Antonio Scorpions, putting a three-match winning streak on the line against the defending NASL Champions.

The Silverbacks began this three-match tear in Edmonton on July 22, downing the Eddies, 3-1, before silencing Indy Eleven, 1-0, in Indianapolis and surviving the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, 2-1, in a match that featured three late ejections for the Strikers.

After a turbulent Spring Season, the Silverbacks retooled in preparation for the Fall. The additions that Gary Smith brought in certainly turned the team into one of the most feared right now in the NASL. New men Junior Burgos, Pedro Mendes, and Kosuke Kimura are now firmly planted in the starting lineup and are making major contributions.

Mendes, after scoring two goals on Wednesday against the Strikers is now tied — with Jaime Chavez — as the team’s goalscoring leader. He’s also added an assist.

Burgos has also been one of the best players in the last few weeks, earning himself a pair of assists and a goal in the process, too. With Michael Reed and Josh Hughes — the energetic and destroying midfielder that he is — Burgos has been able to really focus his efforts on the attack.

For Chavez, it appears he is back to his form of a year ago when he scored nine NASL goals. With smart midfielders behind him, Chavez keeps to the edge of the back line and can spring the attack at any moment.

The Silverbacks’ opponent, San Antonio, will bringing a goalscoring threat of their own in tow. Omar Cummings leads the league with eight goals so far. Cummings, a former player for Gary Smith, has been superb for a team that, otherwise, might be sitting at the bottom of the table. Last time the Scorpions came to Atlanta Silverbacks Park, Cummings ensured they left with three points.

That loss to the Scorpions on June 6 was Atlanta’s only loss at home. The Silverbacks haven’t lost a game at Atlanta Silverbacks Park in the Fall Season, though, and will surely be looking for revenge.

With the blossoming partnership of Mendes and Chavez and Cummings lining up on the other side, Saturday’s match looks to be an all-out attacking brawl.