Raphael Cox propelled the Atlanta Silverbacks to a date with history.
Cox’s goal lifted the Silverbacks to a 1-0 victory over the Georgia Revolution in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday at RYSA Soccerplex.
The Silverbacks are supposed to host the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer in the third round May 30 at Silverbacks Park. However, the Silverbacks’ ownership is negotiating with Seattle’s ownership to sell the game back to them.
Either way, it will be the first time since Atlanta joined the NASL two years ago that it has played a team from the highest professional league in the United States.
“This will be a huge game,” said Cox, who is from Seattle and played at the University of Washington.
The U.S. Open Cup is win-or-go-home event available to teams from the adult amateur level to the pros, as long as they are affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation. It’s comparable to a basketball tournament that includes teams from the NAIA level to the NBA. The Silverbacks had a bye in the first round.
The Revolution, which play in the semi-pro National Premier Soccer League, defeated Mississippi Brilla 1-0 in their first-round game to earn the right to host the Silverbacks in the second round.
The Silverbacks are still alive because of Cox and backup goalkeeper Joe Nasco.
Cox intercepted a poor cross-field clearance in the Revolution’s half of the field, drove down the left, beat a defender and unleashed a low shot that beat Zack Schultze to the far post in the 61st minute.
Coach Alex Pineda Chacon said he had considered substituting Cox because he had picked up a yellow card earlier and didn’t want to risk him picking up another, which would have left Atlanta with only 10 players.
“He scored an amazing goal,” Chacon said.
The goal was the game-winner because Nasco saved a penalty in the 42nd minute. The penalty occurred when Clarke Bentley was tripped just inside the box. Kwado Poku’s stepped to the spot, but his shot lacked accuracy as Nasco dove to his left to easily block the effort. It was Nasco’s second penalty kick save this year. After he saved that one, Chacon promised him the start against the Revolution.
“I believe a lot in him,” Chacon said.
The Revolution missed a chance to equalize in the 75th minute when Yaron Bacher’s free kick from a few yards outside the penalty box sailed across the front of the goal. Poku tried to meet it at the far post with a sliding effort, but he couldn’t connect.
The Revolution’s Michael Nwiloh tried in the 79th minute, but his shot sailed just over the goal. Nasco appeared to have the angle covered.
