(NASL 2015 Spring) Atlanta Silverbacks 0v0 New York Cosmos

Saturday 25th April 2015

Atlanta Silverbacks Park, Atlanta   Attendance 5,511

New York were held to a goalless draw in Atlanta thanks to a defensive performance from the home side.

The Cosmos dominated possession from the opening kickoff, with the Silverbacks happy to sit deep and counter. The first half chance fell to Lucky, in for the misfiring Stokkelien, but after a goalmouth scramble he could only tamely prod the ball into the arms of the Silverbacks keeper.

The Silverbacks had another warning when  corner found its way to Marcos Senna, but under pressure he fired the half chance well over.

Atlanta rarely ventured into the Cosmos half, but did create a moment of danger in the Cosmos box, just shy of the half hour mark, when Chavez almost connected with a dangerous cross from Porter.  With so many Silverback players behind the ball, Cosmos were finding it hard to get behind them, but Senna threatened with a rasping 35 yard effort which was tipped over.

Despite the domination in possession Atlanta had the best chance of the half. The Cosmos defence looked stretched after a rare Silverbacks attack, but Mendes threw himself in front of the ball to block an effort from Porter.

Cosmos came close to breaking the deadlock in the opening seconds of the 2nd half as Lucky got on the end of a through ball from Restrepo, but his effort hit the Silverbacks post. Just shy of the hour mark the away side threatened again as for once the Silverbacks were caught out on a counter attack. Lucky found Restrepo in space, but he elected to lay the ball off rather than shoot and the pass was intercepted.

But there was more attacking intent from the home side and they created their best chance of the game when Porter was played in, but Maurer gave him little to shoot at from the tight angle and the shot was saved.

As the game wore on there was little evidence of either defence giving up a goal, even though the Cosmos lost Reversio to a hamstring injury. Fernandes had a sight at goal as the game approached the final 10mins, but he failed to get a clean connection on his shot.

The final clear chance fell to Stokkelien who could not generate any power on a header after the Silverbacks Keeper could only palm away a Senna free kick.