Thursday March 30, 2006

          The Atlanta Silverbacks have announced the signing of Mexican goalkeeper Felipe Quintero, a ten-year veteran of the Mexican professional league, to a two-year contract.
          The Monterrey, Nuevo León, native spent the 2005 season with Lobos BUAP of Puebla in Mexico's second division.  Quintero started his career with storied club Chivas de Guadalajara, training with the first team and starting for the Goats’ reserve and second division squads.  He also played for clubs like Ángeles de Puebla, Ciudad Juárez and Querétaro.  In 2004, he helped Irapuato win the second division (Primera “A”) title and gain promotion to the top-flight of Mexican soccer. The latest addition to the Silverbacks was also part of the Mexican Under-20 National Team in 1999.
          The 26-year old comes from a long-line of Aztec goalkeepers, including his grandfather Francisco Quintero Nava, who was the back-up keeper for Mexico in the 1948 London Olympics and his father Javier “el Loco” Quintero, who played at Atlas, Monterrey and Tigres.  Other family members between the posts were his uncle Francisco, keeper for Oro Jalisco, his uncle Héctor, of Monterrey, Tecos and Veracruz, and his older brother Javier, who plied his trade with U. de G. and Tampico. 
          Quintero, 6-1,187, has only been in Atlanta for a few months, but he has already made an immediate impact in the area’s Latin soccer community with local amateur club Real Salvadoreño.  He said of his return to the professional ranks: “the Silverbacks are a team that wants to succeed in the USL (United Soccer Leagues).  We’re going to give our best and we need the fans’ support to take the club to the next level.” 
          Silverbacks Head Coach, Jason Smith, commented about his newest signing: “We weren’t actively looking for a goalkeeper, especially not one from outside the U.S., because we only had one remaining foreign-player slot and thought to use it on a field player.  But Felipe came to our tryouts and impressed us with his skill and attitude.  We look forward to his contribution to the team this season.” 
          Quintero will report Saturday morning, April 1, along with the rest of the team, for the official start of the preseason, when the full squad will convene for the first time.  Practices at Atlanta Silverbacks Park are closed to the public, but for access to players or the facilities, please call Emmakate Young, Public Relations Manager, at 404-969-4902.
          The Silverbacks also announced the release of goalkeeper Joe Barton. Barton played in 11 games for the Silverbacks in 2005; he recorded five wins and 41 saves.
          For ticket information, please call 1-800-GO-BACKS or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

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