Release from Atlanta Silverbacks Media Relations:
The Atlanta Silverbacks have a tough task at hand on Saturday when they visit the San Antonio Scorpions at Toyota Field.
San Antonio, which finished three points from first place in the Spring season, are tied with Minnesota United atop the Fall standings with a 5-1-1 record (16 points). They’re also second in the Combined standings (33 points), holding a comfortable 11 points cushion on one of the postseason spots.
And while the Silverbacks (2-2-2, 8 pts) are eight points behind the Scorpions in the Fall table, they’re only four points behind the final berth into The Championship, the league’s four-team postseason tournament. That’s the immediate target for Atlanta coach Jason Smith.
“I’m looking for three points every game, just so we can gain ground in the playoff hunt,” Smith told AtlantaSilverbackFC.com ahead of the weekend match.
The Scorpions are unbeaten at home in their last six games, having out scored opponents 11-2 in those games. And in the only meeting between the two sides this year, San Antonio left Atlanta with a 2-1 win back in April.
“Obviously they’re doing very well,” Smith said of the Scorpions. “I think there’s a lot of parity in this league – anybody can beat anybody on the given day. So we’re not going with the mindset ‘Oh, this is a top team, let’s just play it safe.’ We’re going to go there like any other week and say ‘We can get three points,’ and then employ the strategy to make that happen.”
Silverbacks captain Mike Randolph agrees.
“You have to be careful, because they’re definitely a team that can punish you,” Randolph told the club’s website. “They’ve shown that in recent weeks. They know how to finish games.”
A fixture all season at left back, Randolph has had new teammates playing in front, to his right, and even behind in the past few games. Smith hinted earlier in the week that he may make additional lineup changes to matchup against San Antonio.
“You definitely have to talk more as a team,” Randolph said of adjusting to new personnel. “I definitely have to be more vocal – and I’m pretty vocal as it is – making sure people know their job before we step on the field, and as we go, making adjustments on the fly. So I think it’s important that we communicate.”
The Silverbacks will be familiar with one member of the Scorpions. Midfielder Richie Menjivar starred for Atlanta last year, earning NASL Best XI honors before moving on to San Antonio for the 2014 season.
“He’s crafty, he’s a runner, he moves the ball well. He’s one of those players that you do your best to try to contain him,” Randolph said of his former teammate. “Some players you can’t stop, but you can limit their ability. That’s what we’re going to have to do with Richie.”
Randolph also echoed Smith’s message.
“I’ve said it before: after playing all these MLS teams, and coming out on top, I don’t think there’s anything our team can’t do – starters or subs,” the captain added. “We’re a great team and we can beat anybody on any given day.”
The Sports Inquirer 
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