Showing posts with label Silverbacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Silverbacks. Show all posts
CARY, NC – The Atlanta Silverbacks and Carolina RailHawks played to a 4-4 draw Saturday night in a wild game at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Playing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season, the RailHawks (0-2-0) asserted themselves immediately. After the Silverbacks defense failed to properly clear a corner kick from RailHawks midfielder Nick Zimmerman, forward Mike Palacio blasted a deflected shot past Silverbacks goalkeeper Daniel Illyes for a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game.
In the 38th minute, Zimmerman took advantage of a miscue by Silverbacks defender Martyn Lancaster and finished easily past Illyes to double the RailHawks' lead.
The Silverbacks (0-2-0) didn’t let up and came up with an immediate answer to the RailHawks’ second goal. Midfielder Shane Moroney found forward Reinaldo Navia in the middle of the penalty area, and the Chilean international didn’t miss, guiding a low shot past RailHawks goalkeeper Ray Burse in the 40th minute.
Two minutes later, the Silverbacks brought the score level at 2-2 after forward Raphael Cox fired a low shot past Burse from 18 yards out.
Despite a few early second half scoring chances for the RailHawks, it was the Silverbacks that would take the 3-2 lead. Defender Willie Hunt found the net in the 68th minute, powering a header into the net following a Silverbacks corner kick.
The Silverbacks first lead of the game didn’t last long with Zimmerman converting for the second time in the 75th minute. Defender Kapuno Low’s 45-yard long ball ended up on the foot of Zimmerman who blasted home from 12 yards to even the score at 3-3.
The game took an unfortunate turn for the Silverbacks two minutes after Zimmerman's goal with Hunt being shown his second yellow card of the game. Hunt's ejection meant the Silverbacks were reduced to 10 men, but in the 80th minute, Navia gave his team an unlikely lead.
The former Club America star poked a slow-rolling shot through traffic and left Burse helpless, giving the Silverbacks a 4-3 lead despite being down a player.
With only one minute remaining before stoppage time, the RailHawks fought back once more. Forward Brian Shriver blasted home a pass from midfielder Ty Shipalane to make the score 4-4.
The incredible scoreline would hold, earning each team a hard-fought point, but not before further drama unfolded. Midway through stoppage time, Silverbacks forward Nico Colaluca and RailHawks forward Brian Ackley engaged in a shoving match, which eventually earned them each red cards. After order was restored between the two benches, the referee made the decision to blow the final whistle and abandon the remaining one minute of stoppage time, preserving the 4-4 draw.
The undefeated Silverbacks return home to host the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, April 21 at 7:30pm at Atlanta Silverbacks Park...from the Patch
8:59 AM

In 2011 the Silverbacks were rushed to put together a team and they struggled all year long. They finished in last place in the NASL with a record of 4-20-4. With that type of performance it was no surprise that the Silverbacks relieved Jose Manuel Abundis of his head coaching duties, replacing him with last season’s assistant, Ales Pineda Chacon.
Chacon has been with the Silverbacks organization dating back to 2004 as a player and then as an an assistant coach for the 2007 season before the team went on hiatus for two years.
In addition to Chacon there are a handful of returning players. Last years team captain and midfielder Lucas Pauldini will return along with Forward Matt Horth and midfielders Ciaran O’Brien and Raphael Cox. Defenders Willie Hunt, Shane Moroney, Partick Robertson and Kohei Matsushita are also returning. Fernando Gonzalez will also return after suffering a season-ending foot injury in May of 2011.
Two players returning from previous stints with the club include Defensive midfielder Tony McManus (2005 – 2008) and Martyn Lancaster (2007 – 2008) .  McManus started last season with FC Tampa Bay (now Rowdies) and then after being released signed on with the Carolina Railhawks in August 2011.  Atlanta resident Martyn Lancaster advanced to the championship game last year with the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. Both return in hopes of helping boaster Atlanta’s defense.
To add another piece on the defensive side of the field the Silverbacks signed the 6′ 3″ Brazilian center back Rilla.  Hungarian goalkeeper and new addition Daniel Illyes will be thankful that Rilla is there to help anchor the defense.
All of the defense isn’t going to help if the team can’t score. That’s why the team has brought in some veteran players with international experience. Midfielder Danilo Turcios played 85 times for Honduras including twice in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Turcios is expected to be an attacking midfielder and a playmaker who can distribute the ball to the two new international forwards.
The Silverbacks are hoping that in Reinaldo Navia and Stephen Ademolu they have found the offensive spark that team lacked last year and has lacked to a degree this preseason. Unfortunately neither player arrived during the preseason and likely won’t be playing in the first few games of the season.  Add that with the fact that 2011 leading scorer Matt Horth is recovering from an injured and the Silverbacks may struggle to put many points on the board at the start of this season.
Former Canadian national team forward Stephen Ademolu feels like he has something to prove.  After an injury in 2010 prevented him from making the move to MLS he now feels he needs to show he’s back to the level he was when he played in Europe with four different clubs in Sweden, Norway, and Lithuania from 2004-2010.  Ademolu meet with the US Consulate in Toronto last Tuesday (4/3) and should be arriving next week.
Reinaldo Navia, the 33-year-old striker, comes to Atlanta after spending the 2011 season with Ñublense of the Chilean first division.   Prior to his stint with Ñublense, Navia played for some of Latin America’s most prestigious clubs including Mexican giants Club América and Monterrey and Ecuadorian powerhouse LDU Quito. Navia also represented Chile 40 times and scored 10 goals along the way. Navia is scheduled to arrive today if all goes as planned.
So which new addition do you think will have the most impact in 2012? Do you think there is enough talent to get the team to the playoffs this season?http://atlantasoccerblog.blogspot.com/
10:24 AM

by Brian Quarstad
Silverbacks home jersey. Click for larger image

The kit created by Reto, meaning “challenge” in Spanish, is a spin-off ofSAETA USA who the team used for last year’s kit.
The 2012 home jersey was actually designed from scratch by fan Adrian Portillo. His design along with many others from Silverbacks supporters were voted on in Facebook to determine the winner. Portillo’s was the winning design and Reto set out to create the custom kit that has now been revealed.
Click ‘read more’ for more images—>
The shirt uses the traditional Silverbacks red with black hoops but only on the front. It also features piping and highlights of gray. The shorts will be black with red trim.
The away kit will be a gray shirt with gray trunks and socks. The away kit also features black side panels with thin black horizontal hoops.
Silverbacks spokesperson Neil Malone said that Reto has even launched a store at Silverbacks Park that is open 7 days a week and will feature many of the Silverbacks new line of clothing. Those designs were also revealed on Tuesday evening and included warmups, polos, t-shirts, hoodies and even a cap featuring a new ATL signature logo that represents Atlanta soccer. Malone said the new logo is designed to draw in not only the soccer supporter but also the non-soccer fan who may just like the look of the logo and clothing.
New ATL logo.
Malone explained that the new line of clothing that Reto has produced has quadrupled what the team had previously.
If Tuesday night’s party holds any indications, the team expects the new product line to be very popular this year. According to Malone, sales were more than brisk as Reto and the team had to work hard to keep up to the demand as product sold quickly.
Many items from the Silverbacks’ new line of clothing is already available online at the team’s website.
4:47 AM
by Gerry Wittmann
The most recent news involving NASL clubs includes the announcement that FC Edmonton signed an experienced French midfielder from this winter’s NASL Combine, while another Carolina RailHawk joins the club’s former coach, Martin Rennie, with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Minnesota Stars FC have returned three more players from last season’s championship side while losing two others to retirement. The Atlanta Silverbacks announced another sponsorship while an important figure at Traffic Sports has moved on to FC Dallas as technical director.
FC Edmonton Sign French Midfielder
FC Edmonton signed French player Serisay Barthélémy, 28. The diminutive midfielder began his career at St. Etienne and played over 100 matches for SC Bastia between 2005-2011, a club that has employed such famous players as 1970s Dutch NT/Ajax star Johnny Rep, 1990 World Cup hero Roger Milla, Chelsea’s Michael Essien, Arsenal’s Alex Song and long-time MLS defender Greg Vanney. Barthélémy was most recently with French side AS Cannes.
“I signed up to the NASL Combine in the hopes of living the North American dream with soccer. After three games at the Fort Lauderdale Combine, a few teams had approached me and demonstrated interest in having me in their club,” Serisay said. “The discussion I had with Harry and Hans was the one that most resonated with me and found to be the best for me and my family. After only a few short weeks, here I am at our training camp in Arizona. I hope to win the NASL Championship with FC Edmonton and look forward to the many fans supporting us! I would like to thank FC Edmonton and NTL Sports Management for this opportunity.”
Also in the Eddies’ Casa Grande, Arizona training camp is 5’9″ defender Diaz Kambere. The 26-year-old was born in Uganda but moved to British Columbia as a youngster and played for the Vancouver Whitecaps between 2006-2008, appearing in 28 matches. Kambere played PDL ball in 2010 with the Victoria Highlanders.
Franks To Vancouver
New Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie has acquired another player whom he coached while with the Carolina RailHawks, as Vancouver announced the signing of midfield veteran Floyd Franks. The 27-year-old Alabama native played in 50 matches for Carolina in the last two years, logging almost 4,000 minutes on the pitch.
Franks becomes the fifth former RailHawk to join Rennie in Vancouver for the upcoming 2012 season. The former UNC-Charlotte player has previous MLS experience playing for the Chicago Fire, and has also played for the Cleveland City Stars, where Rennie also coached, as well as spending time in Denmark with Blokhus FC during 2008-2009. Although a midfielder, Franks has been deputized as a backliner in the past and certainly his versatility and durability are important aspects of what he’ll bring to the Whitecaps in their second MLS season.
Minnesota Stars Return Three, Lose Two, from 2011 NASL Championship Squad
Stars head coach Manny Lagos will have midfielders Daniel Wasson, Kentaro Takada and player/assistant coach Kevin Friedland back for the 2012 NASL season. Wasson missed the 2011 season with a torn ACL but was featured regularly with the 2010 Minnesota club, while Takada returns for his third season with the club. Defender Friedland has been a fixture in Minnesota soccer since 2004, playing over 100 matches for the Minnesota Thunder before joining the Stars in 2010.
Lagos will not have two veterans from last year’s club to call on, though, as both forward Brian Cvilikas and goalkeeper Joe Warren have announced their retirements. Cvilikas played a key role down the stretch as the Stars surprised the league by cruising through the NASL playoffs last season, while Warren cemented his place as one of the top D2 goalkeepers of the era as a goalkeeper on a championship team.
Off the Field News
The Atlanta Silverbacks recently announced a five-year deal with iconic soft drink company Coca-Cola. Not only will the industry giant be the official beverage sponsor of the club, but Coca-Cola has received naming rights to a field at the Silverbacks’ facility.
“We’re extremely excited to be partnering with such an incredible company,” said Silverbacks Director of Corporate Partnerships Scott Flood. “Coca-Cola has been a household name in Atlanta for more than 125 years. We look forward to working with the company not only at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, but also in the local community in the coming years.”
The Silverbacks will host the Charleston Battery at 4:00 pm this Saturday in a preseason friendly. Admission is free to the public.
In other news, FC Dallas announced the hiring of Traffic Sports US executive directorFernando Clavijo as their new technical director. The native of Uruguay had a long career as a player, particularly in the indoor game, before working as a head coach for clubs such as the Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution and Haitian national team. A member of the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame, the 56-year-old has been involved most recently with Traffic Sports U.S., a company deeply involved with support and team ownership of NASL clubs.
“I want to thank Clark and Dan Hunt, Doug Quinn and Coach Schellas Hyndman for the opportunity to be a part of FC Dallas,” said Clavijo. “I’m very excited to be part of the technical staff and am eager to use my experience in helping FC Dallas be the best professional soccer team and the best player development academy in North America. Coach Hyndman already took us to the MLS Cup, now we need to get there again and win it.”
2:27 PM

The only thing better than attending an Atlanta Silverbacks game is enjoying an ice-cold Coca-Cola® while you’re there. The Atlanta Silverbacks today announced a five-year agreement with The Coca-Cola Company, making it the Silverbacks’ official beverage provider.
“We’re extremely excited to be partnering with such an incredible Company,” said Silverbacks Director of Corporate Partnerships Scott Flood. “Coca-Cola has been a household name in Atlanta for more than 125 years. We look forward to working with the Company not only at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, but also in the local community in the coming years.”
With the new agreement, both of the organization’s facilities, Atlanta Silverbacks Park and Suwanee Indoor, will serve Coca-Cola products such as Coca-Cola, POWERADE® and DASANI®. The deal also includes consumer promotions aimed at maximizing marketing collaboration.
Another dimension of the new partnership is the naming rights to one of Atlanta Silverbacks Park’s full-size soccer fields. Coca-Cola Field is one of four fields used by thousands of soccer players and spectators each week. The facility attracts more than 10,000 people per week and hosts professional games, recreational and amateur leagues, and special events.
“We want to welcome the Atlanta Silverbacks to the Coca-Cola family,” said Pamela Stewart, Vice President, Food Service On-Premise, Southeast Region, Coca-Cola Refreshments. "We look forward to leveraging joint activities to inspire and refresh consumers through unique, value-added programs.”
To formally announce the partnership, the Silverbacks will have a tent at the World of Coca-Cola on Friday, March 9 from 12-3 p.m. with front office staff, players and the team’s mascot, Socrates. Fans can stop by for autographs, 2012 season information and a chance to win prizes.
The current agreement runs through 2016, and The Coca-Cola Company has already begun serving its products at Atlanta Silverbacks Park and Suwanee Indoor.

9:22 AM
All preseason home games for the Silverbacks are free to the public! The Silverbacks kick off their preseason this Saturday against the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers at 4 p.m. at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.
10:10 AM

The Atlanta Silverbacks have signed Honduran midfielder DANILO TURCIOS, pending USSF and ITC approval, the club announced Monday.
The 33-year-old attacking midfielder comes to the Silverbacks from Honduran giants C.D. Olimpia, where Silverbacks Head Coach Alex Pineda Chacón starred for 10 seasons during his playing career.
“It’s a rare opportunity for any club to be able to bring in a player with as much quality and international experience as Danilo,” Chácon said. “I’m very familiar with him on and off the field, and I can tell you that he’ll be an incredible addition to our team in many different ways.”
Turcios brings extensive international experience to the Silverbacks, appearing 85 times for the Honduran national team, including a pair of 2010 FIFA World Cup games. He has also represented Honduras in the Olympics, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and Copa America.
A native of Sonaguera, Turcios began his professional career in 1996 with Universidad of the Honduran first division. After four seasons, he moved to fellow Honduran side Motagua in 2000. In 2001, Turcios took his career to Uruguay, where he would spend the next three seasons with first division clubs C.D. Maldonado, Defensor Sporting, and Peñarol.
Turcios moved on to the Mexican first division in 2004, signing with Estudiantes Tecos, the current club of former Silverbacks defender Mario Pérez. After one season with the Guadalajara-based club, he returned home to Honduras to play with C.D. Olimpia. Outside of a one-season stint with Guatemalan side Comunicaciones in 2006, Turcios was a regular fixture in C.D. Olimpia’s lineup from 2005-2012.
As an attacking midfielder, the Honduran is known as a playmaker, with strong distribution skills and finishing abilities. With 85 appearances for his country, he holds more international experience than any other player in the NASL in 2012.
Turcios is expected to join the team in early March, shortly after preseason training camp begins in Atlanta. 

10:07 AM

Silverbacks Owner Offers Public Challenge


The Atlanta Silverbacks announced the launch of the “Owner’s Challenge” on Friday, giving anyone in the community an opportunity to play a soccer game against Silverbacks owner Boris Jerkunica and members of the team’s front office and coaching staff.

At the heart of the Owner’s Challenge lies a ticket wager between the Silverbacks organization and the participating teams. If Jerkunica and his staff lose, the organization will give the challenging team 30 single-game group tickets or two season tickets for the Silverbacks’ 2012 NASL season. If the owner’s team prevails, the challenging team will have to purchase the same ticket quantity.

“We want to provide the community with a unique opportunity to play both fun and competitive soccer against the people within our organization,” said Jerkunica, who starred at Emory University in the mid-80s. “With that being said, I’m pretty confident in our chances, and I look forward to going out there and showing what we’re made of.”

The challenge is open to the public, with men’s, women’s, coed, and youth teams all welcome to participate. Similar to the leagues that operate during the week at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, the Owner’s Challenge will be played in a 7v7 format, consisting of two 20-minute halves. Following each game, the Silverbacks organization will join the challenging teams for a social hour, featuring complimentary refreshments in the concession area at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.  

“There is a tremendous soccer culture in Atlanta, and we feel that the Owner’s Challenge will serve as a great platform to showcase that culture,” said Silverbacks President Michael Oki. “The Challenge is a fun way to interact with the community, and it exposes them to our professional team and our facility.”

To participate, challenging teams can email neal.malone@atlantasilverbacks.com or call 404-969-4900. 

3:53 PM
The Silverbacks added another player to the roster this morning, signing Hungarian goalkeeper Daniel Illyes to a contract. The 29-year-old goalkeeper brings over 10 years of European professional experience to Atlanta!

Silverbacks Sign Goalkeeper Illyes
www.atlantasilverbacks.com
3:18 PM
The Silverbacks added another player to the roster this morning, signing Hungarian goalkeeper Daniel Illyes to a contract. The 29-year-old goalkeeper brings over 10 years of European professional experience to Atlanta!
Silverbacks Sign Goalkeeper Illyes
www.atlantasilverbacks.com
3:17 PM



The Atlanta Silverbacks have signed. former Canadian national team forward STEPHEN ADEMOLU, pending USSF and ITC approval, the club announced Monday
Ademolu, 29, comes to the Silverbacks from the Windsor Stars of the Canadian Soccer League. Prior to his brief stint with the Stars, he plied his trade in Europe with four different clubs in Sweden, Norway, and Lithuania from 2004-2011.
“Stephen has been playing at a high level his entire career, both for European clubs and his national team,” said Silverbacks Head Coach Alex Pineda Chacón. “We’re excited to have him here, and we think his speed and finishing abilities will be a great asset to our front line.”
A native of Windsor, Canada, Ademolu is no stranger to the United States. During his collegiate career, he played one season with University of North Carolina-Pembroke and two seasons with Cleveland State University; in his junior year at Cleveland State, he led the Horizon League with 12 goals.
In 2004, Ademolu moved to Trelleborgs FF of the Swedish second division. He scored 11 times in 30 appearances for the club, then earned a contract with Norwegian giants Tromsø IL. From 2005-2007, Ademolu scored seven goals in 42 appearances, helping his team reach the group stage of the UEFA Cup.
Ademolu moved on from Tromsø IL in 2008, signing with another Norwegian club, Løv-Ham. After scoring 12 goals in 23 games, the 5-foot-10 striker earned a contract with Lithuanian champions FK Ekranas. He scored 13 goals in 48 games for FK Ekranas and played in the world’s most prestigious club tournament, the UEFA Champions League. Three seasons later, he returned to his hometown of Windsor to play for the Stars.
Ademolu, whose brother, OJ Atogwe, plays safety for the Washington Redskins of the NFL, has represented Canada at the senior level five times. He is the Silverbacks’ fourth offseason signing, joining forward Reinaldo Navia and defenders Martyn Lancaster and Rilla. 

1:10 PM

 
For a limited time only, get two Silverbacks tickets and a team scarf for $30 (a $46 value). Get the tickets for opening day, Saturday, April 7, or for any home game during the 2012 season. To take advantage of this offer, email tickets@atlantasilverbacks.com or call 404-969-4900. 
While you're outfitting yourself for the upcoming soccer season, remember to pre-order your 2012 Silverbacks jersey. Order by February 15, and get your jersey for only $45 (a $60 value). Click here to order now, and your jersey will be available for pick-up on opening day. 
1:03 PM
Checking in with Chacon: MLS Cup
Posted in Amateur, Mens Pro on Tue, Nov 22, 2011



The Los Angeles Galaxy emerged as MLS Cup Champions on Sunday night, defeating the Houston Dynamo, 1-0, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Viewers across the country watched the title game, but few spectators were as connected to the game as Silverbacks Head Coach Alex Pineda Chacón.
While Chacón’s banner year in MLS came with the Miami Fusion in 2001, he spent time playing for three other teams within the league, one of them being the L.A. Galaxy. The Honduran spent the better part of the 2003 season with this year’s MLS champions, and he liked what he saw from his former club on Sunday night.
“After watching the game, I can say that the Galaxy controlled it from the beginning,” Chacón said. “They created a lot of chances, and with the way Houston was playing and just hoping for a counterattack, you knew the Galaxy probably only needed to score one to win.”
The Galaxy did just that in the 72nd minute when U.S. soccer icon Landon Donovan broke the deadlock, finishing past Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall for the game’s only goal. For Chacón, it was clear which team deserved the title.
“Houston had very little to say offensively, and if a few more chances fell the Galaxy’s way, the score could’ve been 4-0,” Chacón said. “In the end, they were fair winners and they played well enough to fully deserve the championship.”
Ever since David Beckham came into the fold in Los Angeles, the Galaxy has been made out to be somewhat of a “dream team” by MLS standards, but Chacón said the Galaxy’s roster was quite strong in his playing days as well. Chacón played in Los Angeles alongside celebrated teammates including Cobi Jones, Alexi Lalas, Sasha Victorine, Carlos ‘Pescadito’ Ruiz, and Mauricio Cienfuegos.
Sunday’s final took place in front of a sellout crowd of more 30,000 fans at the Home Depot Center. The Home Depot Center has been the Galaxy’s home base since 2003, and Chacón played in the first-ever MLS game there.
“I still remember that first game to this day — everything was so new,” Chacón said. “I got to see the stadium’s building process, and once it was finished, it was such an amazing place to play.”
6:24 PM


(Photo by Ron Holt) In the final game of their inaugural season in the NASL, the Atlanta Silverbacks fell to the MLS-bound Montreal Impact, 4-0, Saturday night at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.
In a game in which the Silverbacks (4-20-4) were missing a number of key players due to injury, the Impact (9-11-8) dominated from the start. Forward Ryan Pore, on loan from the Portland Timbers of MLS, led the Impact attack all night, and he was the one to give them an early lead.

Pore latched onto a pass from former Silverbacks midfielder Amir Lowery and powered a shot into the roof of the net to give his team a 1-0 advantage in the sixth minute. The Impact would double their lead just 12 minutes later when midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic fed forward Migual Montaño, who converted a shot from close range.

The Impact, battling for the final NASL playoff spot Saturday night, powered a consistently strong attack in their push for the postseason. In the 30th minute, the visitors made the score 3-0 courtesy of Pore. Ubiparipovic was the provider once again, slipping in a pass to Pore, who tallied his second goal of the game.
The Silverbacks showed some fight in the second half, creating a pair of quality scoring chances, but it was the relentless Impact offense that remained the storyline throughout the game. A handball in the box from Silverbacks defender Tyler Ruthven gave Pore the opportunity for a hat trick from the penalty spot. The forward stepped up and calmly slotted his shot past Silverbacks goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer to give his team a 4-0 lead, which would hold as the final score.

Tonight’s game meant the Impact did what they could to secure a spot in the playoffs, but a win from the NSC Minnesota Stars tonight meant they were edged out of the postseason.

12:28 PM

BAYAMON, Puerto Rico (August 10, 2011) — The Atlanta Silverbacks fell to the Puerto Rico Islanders, 2-0, Wednesday night at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

The Silverbacks looked lively early on, and forward Matt Horth, the team’s leading scorer, nearly made it 1-0 within the first five minutes. A miscommunication between Islanders goalkeeper Ray Burse and a defender allowed Horth to direct a sliding effort on goal; Burse, however, was able to make a kick save to keep the game scoreless.

Nearly five minutes later, the Silverbacks failed to convert two scoring chances: Midfielder Jordan Davis blasted a free kick off the crossbar from over 30 yards out, and less than a minute later, a header from defender Willie Hunt was cleared off the goal line.

In the 27th minute, Puerto Rico successfully got on the board. Islanders forward David Foley was played in on goal, and after dribbling through a pair of Silverbacks defenders, he slotted the ball past diving goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer to give his team the one-goal lead.

The Islanders dominated the second half, controlling possession and creating several scoring chances. The home team’s hard work paid off when Islanders forward Kevon Villaroel was found wide open on the far side. Maurer attempted to close down the angle, but Villaroel easily extended the Islanders’ lead.

Villaroel nearly tallied another goal late in the game, but Maurer made a point-blank save to keep the score 2-0. The Silverbacks weren’t able to create many second-half scoring opportunities, but forward Junior Sandoval came very close to getting the Silverbacks a consolation goal. Sandoval, who is with the Silverbacks on a season-long loan from the Islanders, sent the ball just wide of Burse’s net a few minutes before the final whistle.

The Silverbacks continue their road trip, traveling to play the Impact at Saputo Stadium at 6 p.m. They will ultimately return home to Atlanta Silverbacks Park to host the first-place Carolina RailHawks on Saturday, August 27. 


10:27 AM
Atlanta, GA Soccer players are among the world's most fit athletes, and the Atlanta Silverbacks, the city's North American Soccer League Team, are no exception. The Silverbacks have been doing well this season, so it was a bit nerve-wracking for host John Lemley when the team invited him to spend a day training with them. A recent warm, muggy morning found him driving to the Silverbacks Stadium near Spaghetti Junction to don a warm-up uniform and cleats. 
Things began with Rodrigo Rios, the team's director, telling him what to expect.

City Cafe: The Newest Silverback
Check out the great story that aired on local NPR affiliate, WABE, after reporter John Lemley spent a morning training with the Silverbacks. 

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/.artsmain/article/15/51/1835949/City.Cafe/City.Cafe.The.Newest.Silverback/

The story will air on WABE 90.1 in advance of the final game of the season
11:19 AM
A southwestern Illinois attorney who's tried to bring professional men's soccer to St. Louis is banding together with team owners in six other cities to form a new breakaway North American league.

Jeff Cooper's St. Louis Soccer United will join with owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Most of the clubs have been affiliated with the United Soccer Leagues. The new league is hoping to begin play in April.

The owners applied Monday for sanctioning as a Division II Men's Outdoor Professional League by the United States Soccer Federation. A similar petition to the Canadian Soccer Association is pending.

Montreal Impact's president Joey Saputo is the league's chairman. Cooper is a Madison County personal-injury lawyer and the league's spokesman.

The league still must tap a commissioner and a name.

7:23 PM
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