Atlanta Silverbacks make history, upset Real Salt Lake

In a game that was riddled with history, the Atlanta Silverbacks of the second-tier North American Soccer League defeated Major League Soccer representative and reigning U.S. Open Cup runners up, Real Salt Lake by a 2-1 score in Atlanta on Saturday night in the fourth round of the 2014 U.S. Open Cup.

In a rematch of last year’s fourth round matchup (the fourth round is the first round in which MLS teams compete in the tournament), it was a very similar game, just a different setting – RSL came out of the gates fast and with aggression, scored a quick goal, and then the Silverbacks all but took control, only this time, the outcome was in favor of Atlanta.

Household MLS name Robbie Findley opened the scoring in the 10th minute on a goal that, in all honesty, shouldn’t have happened, as Silverbacks keeper Derby Carrillo came out to try and play Findley one-on-one, which wound up being a mistake, as Findley ran circles around Carrillo, and lightly tapped the ball into the net. That would be just about the only mistake Atlanta would make for the rest of the game.

From that point forward, it was almost all Silverbacks, as they were attacking and in RSL’s half of the field for a majority of the final 35 minutes of the first half, and had several scoring chances, including a goal scored off a header that was called off due to offsides, but the ‘Backs would get on the board in the 33rd minute, when a ball off the foot of Junior Burgos found a home in the back of the net.

The entirety of the second half was a scoreless affair, with again the Silverbacks maintaining a majority of the control, and in added time, Kwadwo Poku went top shelf to score the game winning goal, and give the Silverbacks their first ever victory over an MLS team in an MLS team’s first ever visit to Silverback Park.

Headed into the game, I personally liked the Silverbacks’ chances. Granted, they only won three games in the NASL’s spring season this past year, but aside from the opening three minutes last year, they proved they belonged on the same field as RSL, and took that team into extra time with USA World Cup members Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando, and obviously, neither were in Atlanta tonight, and the Silverbacks took full advantage.

This is also the first time the Silverbacks have advanced past the fourth round, and await the winner of Tuesday’s Colorado Rapids vs. Orlando City match. The Silverbacks and Colorado/Orlando winner will play either June 24th or 25th, with Atlanta going on the road.