On Monday, Sept. 15, the New York Red Bulls acquired Macoumba Kandji on loan from the Silverbacks until at least the end of the 2008 season. The Red Bulls can then decide whether or not they want to sign the dynamic young prospect to a contract or let him return to Atlanta. Kandji is under contract by Atlanta until 2010.
SILVERBACKS ELIMINATED
The Silverbacks entered the past week with slim playoff hopes, as they held eighth-place in a league where the top seven teams make the postseason. Although the Silverbacks were literally fighting for their postseason lives Friday night, the Puerto Rico Islanders had much to play for as well. The Islanders were trying to clinch the regular-season league championship as well as a first-round playoff bye.
The Silverbacks, winless since Aug. 5, scored an amazing goal in the 56th minute off of a long throw by Josh Bolton. Midfielder Jason McLaughlin struck the ball on one bounce while doing a backflip in the air, knocking the go-ahead goal into the back of the net. Unfortunately for Atlanta, the Islanders answered in the 62nd minute on a goal by Cristian Arrieta. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.
With the draw, the Islanders were able to clinch the Commissioner’s Cup, which is awarded to the first-place regular season team. The Silverbacks temporarily stayed alive in the playoff race but were eliminated from contention Saturday night as Minnesota defeated Montreal to clinch the seventh and final playoff berth.
WRAPPING UP
After watching their postseason hopes fade, the Silverbacks played for pride in a game at Miami on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, the team was shut out, falling 1-0 to the Blues. The narrow loss was a familiar scene for the team, which ended the season having 0-7-4 in their final 11 matches.
Despite the disappointing ending, the team played very well for much of the year. Through Aug. 5, the team rose as high as fourth in the USL standings and looked like a shoe-in for the league playoffs.
Luck turned against the Silverbacks, however, beginning with an injury to Kandji during a home game against Charleston on Aug. 16. The team would also lose Scott Buete, Justin Moore and Tony McManus to injury on a devastating late-August road trip. The hard-luck Atlanta squad lost all four matches during the road trip, expediting the team’s drop in the standings.
To add insult to injury, the New York Red Bulls acquired Kandji shortly after the sensational scorer’s return from injury. It would be just the latest example of the bad luck Atlanta faced down the stretch.
During the winless stretch since Aug. 5, the Silverbacks scored just four goals, while allowing 14. By contrast, Atlanta was the top offensive team in the league through the first 19 games of the year, registering 33 goals.
Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
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