Silverbacks Welcome the Return of Former AC Milan Players to their Technical Staff

ATLANTA- Atlanta Silverbacks is excited to announce the return of former AC Milan, Olympiakos, and Colorado Rapids player Zizi Roberts as part of the technical staff for the 2017 season. Zizi was part of the coaching staff last year and have committed to working with the Atlanta Silverbacks Football club for the upcoming season. Zizi Roberts is a former Liberian soccer player who began his professional career in 1996 at the age of 17. Zizi played for eight different teams in his native Liberia, Switzerland, Greece, Italy and here in MLS with the Colorado Rapids. At an early age of 17, Roberts made his debut for the Liberian national team where he quickly became a key member of the team competing in two African cups of nations (1996 and 2002), making over 31 caps, scoring 9 goals and winning the Liberian Soccer Player of the Year in 2003. On the club level, Mr. Roberts played for AC Milan (1997 – 1999), Olympiakos (2001), and Colorado Rapids (2003 – 2004). Unfortunately, in 2005 Zizi career was cut short due to injury forcing him to retire from the game.  ‘‘We are fortunate to have Zizi as part of our organization. Zizi played the game at the highest level and with one of the greatest players out of Africa, and FIFA Ballon d’Or winner in George Weah. He knows what it takes to compete at the next level. As a young player, having someone like Zizi working with you daily is exciting. Atlanta Silverbacks is a developmental organization, and we are creating a platform to serve as a pathway for the next generation of football players. Having someone like Zizi at our disposal is an opportunity not too many clubs in our league have, and we are extremely excited about that, said Alvin Glay, Silverbacks Managing Partner. The Silverback will host open tryouts on January 3rd and 4th for the upcoming season. The Tryouts starts at 9AM at Atlanta Silverbacks Park and players can Register Here or at atlantsilverbacksfc.com.   If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Racquel Yeedia at, (404)-917-5216 or email at yeedia_snorti@yahoo.com.

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4:22 PM

Atlanta United may be interested in signing U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Brad Guzan, according to a speculative tweet by ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman on Friday.

Guzan currently plays for Middlesbrough in the English Premier League, but has made just four starts in all competitions this season, having fallen behind Victor Valdez. Guzan, 32, previously played for Aston Villa after transferring from now-defunct Chivas in MLS. He has made 53 appearances for the U.S. men’s national team, and should still be in the mix for new manager Bruce Arena if he can secure consistent playing time.

An Atlanta United spokesman declined to comment on any of the reports regarding Guzan.

Atlanta United has one goalkeeper, Alexander Tambakis, and reportedly has agreed to a trade with Chicago for Atlanta native Sean Johnson. However, another report says that Atlanta United will trade Johnson to NYCFC for undisclosed assets.

Signing Guzan would be another bold move by Atlanta United, which will begin play in MLS in 2017. The club has already signed former Premier League striker Kenwyne Jones, as well as two young, up-and-coming Designated Players in Hector Villalba and Miguel Almiron, and hired former Barcelona and Argentina manager Gerardo Martino to work with the players. It has also signed three players who have made numerous appearances for the U.S. youth national teams: Andrew Carleton, Chris Goslin and Brandon Vazquez.

Atlanta United would have preference to sign Guzan over the remaining MLS teams because it has the top choice in Allocation Ranking List, which means it gets first rights to any U.S. men’s national team players who play in another league and but are coming to MLS.

Guzan wouldn’t become the team’s third and final Designated Player. Instead, he would reportedly be signed using an MLS mechanism calledTargeted Allocation Money , which are funds used to sign players that are considered just below the threshold of the high-dollar Designated Players.

Atlanta United has announced the signing of 10 players, not included reported trades for Johnson, Kevin Kratz and Michael Parkhurst. Those trades can be finalized and announced after the league approves them when the trade window opens Sunday.

Atlanta United will also have the first pick in Tuesday’s expansion draft.

Source: http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-united-may-chasing-usmnt-goalkeeper/3xSKokbGx27oUzH7vMOC5K/

6:28 AM

                   The winners of Thailand Masters 2016 
 Jeff Freemyer - Karl-Heinz Lochner - Alan Vaughan - Ramiz Okyay- Louie Hren - Bob Gaare - Steve Lang - Marc Goetschalckx - George G - John Zonneveld - Pete Kealy - Mike Hagerty

10:09 AM

Daniel "Danny" Doogan Hay

February 28, 1936 - December 3, 2016 

Resided in Sugar Hill, GA

Daniel "Danny" Doogan Hay, age 80, passed away December 3, 2016, in Duluth, GA. Danny was born in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland, in 1936 to the late Peter and Margaret Doogan Hay. After serving in the British Merchant Navy, he returned to Campbeltown and operated a fishing boat for several years.

He emigrated to the US in 1967 and settled in Decatur. He worked in commercial construction for 30 years before retiring in 1998.

Danny's lifelong passion for soccer got him involved immediately in the local Atlanta soccer scene. While he enjoyed playing himself, he found his true calling as a youth soccer coach. His Celtic and Datagraphics teams represented Georgia in a total of 10 regional tournaments, winning two and advancing to the nationals. Danny was the 2003 inductee into the Georgia State Soccer Hall of Fame.

Danny was an avid storyteller and entertained many with tales of growing up in Scotland, his travel adventures in the merchant navy and his years as a fisherman.

Danny is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine; his stepsons: Brad Martin and his wife, Terasa, and Tim Martin and his wife, Julie; step-grandchildren: Caleb, Erin and McLain Martin; his brother, Peter Hay; nephews: Scott Hay, Jack Colville, Danny and Neil McInnis; nieces: Isabel Higgs, Margaret and Frances; numerous great-nephews and nieces; and many more loving family and friends. In addition to his father, who is buried in Decatur, and his mother, who is buried in Campbeltown, he was preceded in death by his sisters Bridie Hay, Sadie McInnes and Mary Colville and her son, Peter.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Turner and Sons Funeral Home, 2773 North Decatur Rd., Decatur, on Friday, Dec. 9 at 2 pm. It will be conducted by Father Sunny, pastor of St. John Neumann Catholic Church where Danny was a member for many years. Family and friends are invited to a visitation following the service. Burial will be private.

8:12 AM

Marietta United Soccer League - 2016 Winter on Turf - Declare your team Now! Good Morning Team Managers: with the deadline fast approaching, the teams needs need extra time to get organized so we are going to make some slight changes to our calendar. 1st game will be January 8th and we will add two "kick around" Sundays (11th & 18th) in December so we can still have a seven game season. Important - Managers must declare their team with the manager's name, team name, manager contact information including Email address and Mobile phone number.  The registration system is an INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION system with registrants being added to team/player roster that the managers submit to the league.  INDIVIDUAL players need to be informed that they must give manager name at time of registration. To participate in the kick around, *players must be registered and paid.  We will be offering five ways for individual players to register and pay their $60.00 individual fee for 2016 winter season. Players choosing to pay by credit card need to add a an additional $2.00 for processing fee for credit card transactions/no transaction fees. (no additional fees for debit card payments) Players MUST include their team and managers name in their registration process. 1. Paypal - richardschellmen@yahoo.com 2. Venmo - Richard-Schellman. (please add $2.00 processing fee for all credit card transactions/no transaction fee for debit card payments) 3. Mail checks to Richard Schellmen  Mail Payments to: 2254 Byron Court SW Marietta 30064 4/5. Cash or check at the field * Once you have sent an email confirming that your team is in, we will send you a Team/Player roster. Rosters will need to emailed prior to, or you can bring a hard copy player roster to the field for all December Kick Around. All new MUSL Players must sign a liability waiver at the field prior to stepping on the pitch. Richard Schellmen richardschellmen@yahoo.com Karon Beyer mariettaunited2016@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marietta United Soccer League announces 2016 Winter Outdoor Season Start date - Sunday January 8th, 2017 7 games with Unlimited Player Rosters 7v7 format - Two 35 Minutes halves Unlimited Player Substitutions Men's Open Rec, Open Comp, Over 30/40  Turfed fields in East Cobb Games at 1/2:30/4/5:30pm Team Registration is open now - send us an email asap to reserve your slot!!

11:52 AM