Silverbacks Concede Late Goal, Settle for Draw

The Atlanta Silverbacks and the defending NASL champions, Minnesota Stars FC, played to a 3-3 draw Saturday night in front of a crowd of 4,176 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

After an even start to the opening half, the Silverbacks (0-4-0) started putting pressure on the visiting defense, and it was the team's leading goal scorer Reinaldo Navia who created the game's first major scoring chance in the 15th minute.

The Chilean forward fired a half-volley from 18 yards out that Stars goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel could only tip over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, the Silverbacks nearly broke the deadlock, but defender Rilla’s close-range header sailed just over the crossbar.

After another quality opportunity from midfielder Lucas Paulini, the Silverbacks tested Van Oekel again in the 29th minute. Midfielder Ciaran O'Brien struck a free kick from just outside the box that forced Van Oekel to tip it over to safety.

The Silverbacks hard work in the attack would pay off just after halftime with Navia notching his league-leading fourth goal of the season in the 48th minute. Midfielder Danilo Turcios slotted a pass through the Stars defense and Navia calmly lobbed a shot into the far corner of the net.

It was Navia's turn once again in the 64th minute when he tapped in the rebound to his own shot to make the score 2-0. Turcios provided the initial feed to Navia, but it was only after a Van Oekel save that he converted his second goal of the game and fifth of the season.

The Stars (1-3-0) fought back though, and it was forward Amani Walker that provided the visitors with a quick answer in the 66th minute. Walker, alone in the penalty area after a defensive clearance, headed home a cross from midfielder Miguel Ibarra to make it 2-1, cutting the Silverbacks lead in half.

Shortly after being substituted into the game, Silverbacks forward David Santamaria finished off a beautiful passing sequence, giving the home team a 3-1 lead in the 79th minute. Turcios was again the provider, recording his second assist of the game.

The game turned in the visitors' favor in the 88th minute when forward Devin Del Do finished off a pass from Walker, making the score 3-2. The Silverbacks still appeared to be on their way to their first victory of the season, but a long-range strike in stoppage time from defender Justin Davis silenced the crowd and earned the Stars a share of the points.

The Silverbacks and Stars meet again next Saturday at the NSC Stadium in Blaine, MN. Following next weekend's matchup, the Silverbacks return home to host FC Edmonton on Saturday, May 12 at 7:30pm at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.