Gwinnett Daily Post

ATLANTA -- An early goal by Edmonton and a red card on Atlanta early in the second half helped send the Silverbacks to their second straight defeat 2-0 on Saturday.

"A lot of things going on in the game," Atlanta coach Alex Pineda Chacon said. "First half we didn't play well. Second half we played better, but we're a man down. Always, every game. ... It's just so hard to manage that."

Shortly after a headed by Rilla was knocked away, Edmonton's Michael Cox put his team up a goal in the 13th minute. Midfielder Ilja Van Leerdam passed the ball to Cox, who slipped a shot to the right of goalkeeper Daniel Illyes, putting the visitors up 1-0.

Paul Craig put the game out of reach with a couple of minutes remaining in the game. Van Leerdam found him open near the penalty spot, and Craig beat Illyes to put Edmonton up 2-0.

"We've got to continue working because this isn't the end," Chacon said. "We've got to win the next game, so that is what we have to think. Be positive."

Atlanta (0-4-2, 4 points) came out of the locker room with a little bit of fire. Martyn Lancaster, David Santamaria and Danilo Turcios all had shots near the frame. But after Turcios missed a one-on-one shot, Shane Moroney was given a red card after tackling Matt Lam, putting Atlanta down a man.

"I never went in to intentionally hurt anyone," Moroney said. "I thought I could win the ball. The ref saw something different than what I saw, so she sent me off. I'm obviously not happy about it, but I don't want to do anything to hurt the team. Can't take it back now."