Atlanta Silverbacks

In one of three games on the night to be delayed by bad weather, the Atlanta Silverbacks exploded for six goals in the final fifteen minutes to cruise past Azzurri 10-0. Rodrigo Rios notched three goals as well as two assists, and Warren Ukah also tallied a hat trick in the span of four minutes, just eleven minutes after coming on as a substitute late in the second half.

The ’Backs started the scoring in the 10th minute, when Dayton O’Brien notched a goal after receiving a ball that deflected off an Azzurri defender. Rodrigo Rios scored the first of his three goals just four minutes later, off a pass from Daniel Antoniuk. Just three minutes later, a severe thunderstorm rolled through, and the game was stopped for an hour due to lightning.

Once play resumed, Atlanta added two more goals to the board, from Rafique Hassim, and a second from Rios. Azzurri had a good chance in the final moments of the half when Tomiwa Ogunsola hit a shot off the post.

In the second half, Azzurri tried to use an offside trap to slow Atlanta down, catching the ’Backs with eight offside calls in the first twenty minutes. As the half moved on, the Azzurri defense wore down, and Atlanta opened the floodgates, scoring six goals in the final fifteen minutes of play.

The 10-0 final score is the biggest route in the Professional Era (1995-present) and the second time that two players have scored a hat trick in the same game. The 10-goal deficit beat out the Chicago Stingers’ (USL D3 Pro) 8-0 win over SAC Wisla (USASA) in 1997.

Atlanta will host the Charlotte Eagles on June 26 in the Second Round.

Scoring
(ATL) Dayton O’Brien 10’
(ATL) Rodrigo Rios 14’ (Daniel Antoniuk)
(ATL) Rafique Hassim 19’ (Angel Rivillo)
(ATL) Rodrigo Rios 25’ (Dayton O’Brien)
(ATL) Rafique Hassim 74’ (Rodrigo Rios)
(ATL) Dan Antoniuk 80’ (Angel Rivillo)
(ATL) Warren Ukah 84’ (Rodrigo Rios)
(ATL) Warren Ukah 86’ (Dayton O’Brein)
(ATL) Warren Ukah 88’ (Daniel Antoniuk)
(ATL) Rodrigo Rios 90’ (Angel Rivillo)

Cautions
(ATL) Hudson 40’

Atlanta Silverbacks –  Ryan McIntosh (Felipe Quintero, 17’), David Hayes, Matt Bobo, Tony McManus, Omar Jarun (Alvin Hudson 14’) (Justin Moore 65’), Scott Buete, Dayton O’Brien, Angel Rivillo, Rafique Hassim (Warren Ukah 77’), Rodrigo Rios, Daniel Antoniuk.

Azzurri – Michael Lahoud, Brian Hooten (Jeff Harwell 57’), Greg Mottinger, Adrian Chevannes, Daniel Dobson, Michael Anderson (Esteban Mariel 62’), Greg Martin, Matt Whiteley, Tomiwa Ogunsola (Nathan Neal 77’), Ryan Kneipper, Freddie Garcia (Manuel Mariel 16’).

Most goals, one team, single game, Professional Era (1995-2007)
10, Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Azzurri, June 12, 2007, First Round
9, Seattle Sounders vs. Everett BigFoot, June 12, 1995, First Round
9, El Paso Patriots vs. Arizona Sahuaros, June 24, 1998, Second Round
9, San Diego Flash vs. Arizona Sahuaros, June 30, 1999, Second Round
8, Chicago Stingers vs. SAC WISLA, June 11, 1998, First Round
8, Wilmington Hammerheads vs. Los Lobos, June 5, 1999, First Round
8, Richmond Kickers vs. Ocean City Barons, July 19, 2005, Third Round