Tuesday September 5, 2006

           The Atlanta Silverbacks will travel to the west coast this week for their final three games of the 2006 season. The playoff race has not been resolved and it will not surprisingly take the final weekend to determine the six teams that will continue through to the post-season. Atlanta's road games begin on Thursday night and the trip includes games against the Portland Timbers (9.7), the Seattle Sounders (9.9), and the Vancouver Whitecaps (9.10). The Silverbacks, 9-11-5, currently sit in 8th place in the USL First Division table. Atlanta's 32 points put them two points behind the Puerto Rico Islanders and the Seattle Sounders; the 'Backs have a game-in-hand over both teams. The Silverbacks control their own playoff destiny and will need to take control of that destiny by winning on the road and securing a playoff spot.
           The Silverbacks finished the home season at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium last weekend with a 2-1 loss to the Rochester Rhinos. The extremely close match included a missed penatly kick by the Silverbacks and a six-minute period when the Silverbacks let down and gave up the tying goal along with the go-ahead goal. Atlanta went 7-4-3 at home and recorded four shutouts. The Silverbacks beat the Charleston Battery on June 3 for the home opener; the win began an eight-game undefeated streak at home that lasted until July 28th when the Silverbacks fell to the league-leading Montreal Impact.
          The Silverbacks take on the Portland Timbers on Thursday night at 10:00 pm EST, visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com for the most up-to-date information on the Silverbacks’ final push for playoffs.