Examining the New York Cosmos domination of the Atlanta Silverbacks

The New York Cosmos and Atlanta Silverbacks don't have the same sort of history that the boys in green have with original NASL clubs like the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Fort Lauderdale Strikers, but they've still met six times since the reboot in 2013. Those meetings include one of the more important matches in both clubs' recent history, the Cosmos 1-0 victory in the 2013 Soccer Bowl.

The six matches have generally seen the Cosmos dominate their Atlanta opposition, with Atlanta winless in the rivalry, and the last five meetings all ending in a New York victory. With that in mind, let's take a look back at those matches:

New York Cosmos 1 - Atlanta Silverbacks 1

September 7, 2013

The first-ever meeting between the two clubs was the only one that didn't result in a victory for the Cosmos. Marcos Senna opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Shane Moroney equalized just minutes later. Following this one, the Cosmos found the best form in their recent history, taking 22 of 24 possible points to close out the fall season, and then winning the title match in Atlanta.

This was a rare match between the two where possession was relatively even, though Gio Savarese's side still outshot the visitors 17-7, including a 9-2 advantage in shots on target,

Atlanta Silverbacks 0 - New York Cosmos 1

November 2, 2013

The Cosmos first win over Atlanta came in a relatively meaningless game, the final fixture of the 2013 regular season. Both sides had already clinched a spot in the Soccer Bowl, as Atlanta had won the spring title (and the right to host), while New York had already clinched the fall crown. Both sides rested regulars, though Cosmos fans got a look at the future with Jimmy Maurer's first start for the club.

The lone goal in this one was scored by Henry Lopez, who played just 135 total minutes in his time with New York. All in all, though, this one looked like two sides just going through the motions.

Atlanta Silverbacks 0 - New York Cosmos 1

November 9, 2013

While the previous meeting meant very little, the NASL title game was certainly one in which both sides came to play. As with many knockout matches, both managers set up a bit cautiously, not wanting to give away a cheap goal in such an important match.

Marcos Senna would up scoring the only goal of the match just minutes into the second half, and the Cosmos seemed content to sit back and absorb pressure once they had taken the lead. It worked, and the Cosmos earned the right to celebrate a NASL title in Atlanta.

New York Cosmos 4 - Atlanta Silverbacks 0

April 13, 2014

The Cosmos opened the 2014 season with a third consecutive match against the Silverbacks, and frankly, this one was a laugher. Atlanta manager Eric Wynalda was in Europe for FOX Sports during the weeks leading up to the opener, and his side were played off the pitch during his first 45 minutes of the season. Carlos Mendes scored twice during that first half of play, with Ayoze finding the back of the net in between the Mendes goals.

Wynalda then made the decision to throw everyone forward in the second half, while New York sat back, absorbed pressure, and looked to hit the Silverbacks on the counter. Mads Stokkelien managed to make it four for the boys in green, and frankly, that scoreline was fairly indicative of the match as a whole.

Atlanta Silverbacks 1 - New York Cosmos 2

August 9, 2014

The Cosmos were struggling when they traveled to Atlanta for the fifth meeting between the two sides, taking just five points from the first five matches of the fall season. When Junior Burgos scored the opener for Atlanta just 12 minutes into the match, it looked like the run of poor form was set to continue.

Fortunately for the Cosmos, Andres Flores found the back of the net in first half stoppage time, and Marcos Senna gave them the lead at the hour mark. That win didn't start a run of good form, however, as the Cosmos took just five more points before the sides met again a month later.

New York Cosmos 3 - Atlanta Silverbacks 2

September 13, 2014

Early on, this one looked like it was going to be a more lopsided contest than the spring season opener. Mads Stokkelien and Sebastian Guenzatti both struck inside of ten minutes, and it probably could have been more. Atlanta scored the next two, however, as Junior Sandoval made it  2-1 in the 16th minute, before Pablo Cruz tied it at the hour mark.

Fortunately for the Cosmos, Danny Szetela came to the rescue with about five minutes to play, making it five straight victories over Atlanta. Here's hoping that win streak reaches six on Saturday.