In the second meeting of the year between the two teams, the Atlanta Silverbacks fell 2-0 to the Rochester Rhinos Saturday night at PAETEC Park in New York. Defensive miscues cost Atlanta early in the match, and the Silverbacks could not recover.

The two teams were separated by just one point in the USL-1 standings going into the match. Atlanta had previously beaten the Rochester by a score of 4-3 in early August.

Atlanta defender Brent Sancho made his first start as a Silverback today, and Matt Bobo returned from a nagging injury to try and help the Atlanta back line.

The first great chance of the match came from the Rhinos in the 15th minute of the match after continuous offensive pressure, when a giveaway in the Atlanta box led to a great shot from Rochester’s Tiger Fitzpatrick. Atlanta keeper Felipe Quintero was forced to make a spectacular one-handed save, and trapped the ball keep the goal safe.

The Rhinos’ efforts paid off in the 22nd minute, when a volley from the left flank from midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer was deflected redirected by Rochester defender Ross Smith and into the back of the Atlanta net to put the Rhinos up 1-0.

The siege would continue throughout the first half, and Rochester would double their lead in the 26th minute; midfielder Steve Guppy crossed a ball from the left flank and connected with an unmarked Fitzpatrick, whose diving header was placed perfectly into the side netting to put Rochester up 2-0.

The beginning of the second half saw more of the same, with the Rhinos continuing where they left off; in the 49th minute, Rochester forward Matthew Delicâte got on a break and beat Bobo before slotting a shot on goal that Quintero deflected away from the net, before being cleared to safety by defender Josh Bolton.

Atlanta would substitute forwards Aaron Paye and Jerson Monteiro early in the second half of play to look for a spark offensively, but the changes were unable to provide a goal for the ‘Backs.

Yet, the best chance of the match for the Silverbacks came in the 72nd minute. Midfielder Jason McLaughlin crossed a ball from the right flank to an unmarked Monteiro, whose subsequent header required a leaping save from Rhino goalkeeper Scott Vallow.

The Silverbacks would ultimately be unable to convert, and the game would finish 0-2. Atlanta will travel to Montreal tomorrow for a rematch with the Impact, and then finish out the four-game road trip against Vancouver on Wednesday, August 27th.

The Silverbacks’ final regular season home game will be the rubber match of the season series against the Rhinos on Saturday, August 30th at 7:55 PM. For tickets or more information, please call 1-866-GO-BACKS or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com