— The formation of Atlanta dates back to 1836, when the State of Georgia decided to build a railroad to the U.S. Midwest. A stake driven into the ground marked the rail line’s “terminus,” and the settlement that grew up around it eventually became the city of Atlanta, incorporated in 1847.

Another train-themed endeavor terminated in Atlanta Saturday evening, as the increasingly hapless Carolina RailHawks fell to the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 and saw their already dwindling playoff hopes tumble down the NASL table.

If you’re keeping track at home, that’s another early RailHawks lead lost to multiple goals surrendered during a defensive lapse lasting mere minutes. Rinse-repeat.

The visiting RailHawks grabbed a surprise lead less than a minute into the match. Atlanta goalkeeper Steward Ceus’ clearance collided directly off an oncoming Tyler Engel and ricocheted across the goal line. The former North Carolina Tar Heel took a bow for his first professional goal as the RailHawks led 1-0.

In the 22nd minute, RailHawks center back Futty Danso absorbed a ball to his midsection, forcing him to leave the game for Austen King. With that tidbit posed for cause-and-effect purposes, Atlanta equalized in the 31st minute. A through ball was played ahead to midfielder Jaime Chavez charging up the left channel. Chavez centered to Pedro Mendes, who maneuvered right of defender Connor Tobin and slotted a shot under diving Carolina keeper Akira Fitzgerald to even the match at 1-1.

Three minutes later, Chavez settled a ball in the box before playing it back to forward Kyle Porter stationed near the outer left corner of the area. Porter calmly flew his one-timer into the far right netting to put the Silverbacks up 2-1, a lead that would last until intermission.

The scoreless second half saw the RailHawks muster a few promising chances that only managed to ding the woodwork. In the 52nd minute, Nacho Novo blasted a shot from distance off the crossbar, and Engel’s follow-up header sailed over goal. Nazmi Albadawi uncorked a nifty left-footer in the 57th minute that chipped paint. Blake Wagner had one on a plate from 17 yards out in the 64th minute, but his curler skimmed the top of the net. In the 70th minute, Austin da Luz delivered a low burner snared by a diving Ceus.

Finally, Tiyi Shipalane executed a tremendous drive off the left wing in the 76th minute, winding up inside the box. But he pushed his sure-shot wide right.

Carolina has only one win over their last 10 matches, with seven losses and two draws over that same span. On the bright side, the RailHawks only surrendered two goals to Atlanta, snapping a streak of six losses in which Carolina has allowed three goals in the game.

The RailHawks (6-8-10, 26 pts.) slide to eighth place in the combined NASL season standings, with seven points and three other teams separating Carolina from the final league playoff spot, currently occupied by the Tampa Bay Rowdies. With just six games left in their regular season, the RailHawks stagger back to WakeMed Soccer Park next Saturday to host the Ottawa Fury, the first of three straight home games.

BOX SCORE

CAR: Fitzgerald, Low, Tobin, Danso (King, 25’), Wagner (Bracalello, 80’), Hlavaty, Albadawi, Shipalane, Engel (Da Silva, 62’), da Luz, Novo

ATL: Ceus, Black, Mensing, Reed, Burgos, Abdul Bangura, Kimura, Paulo Mendes (Mravec,74’), Pedro Mendes (Okafor, 83’), Chavez (Shaka Bangura, 69’), Porter

GOALS

CAR: Engel, 1’

ATL: Pedro Mendes, 31’ (Chavez); Porter, 34’ (Chavez)

CAUTIONS

CAR: Engel (49’); Tobin (90’)

ATL: Chavez (25’); Mravec (90’)

EJECTIONS

CAR: --

ATL: --

ATTENDANCE: 4,322