ATLANTA -- A makeshift Silverbacks Under-23 side topped visiting Liverpool Academy in an international friendly in front of more than 3,000 boisterous fans on Wednesday night at Silverbacks Park.
Tony Madegwa and Shawn Bateau tallied second half goals for the Silverbacks -- both off set pieces.
"Really, I think we were fortunate to come away with a two-to-nothing score," said Silverbacks coach Steve Muccillo. "We absorbed a lot in the first half, got a goal and held on."
Liverpool's Marvin Pourie nearly put the visitors on the score sheet in the 19th minute, beating two Silverback defenders before shooting just wide from close range. Five minutes later the Liverpool's Steve Irwin had a golden chance, getting in past two defenders, but missed wide right.
"I thought we played very well the first half," said Liverpool Academy coach Hugh McAuley. "We had some chances. But I have to give credit to them. Their defense was well organized, and didn't allow us many chances. Unfortunately we didn't take the chances they did give us."
The Silverbacks Under-23s kick off their regular season Friday at Silverbacks Park versus the Cary RailHawks Under-23s. Kick off is set for 5 p.m.
-- The Atlanta Silverbacks are a professional soccer club playing in the United Soccer League's top division. Silverbacks Park is located off Northcrest Road in Atlanta, just north of Spaghetti Junction on Interstate 85.
Monday
May 5th, 2025
7:08AM
