The Atlanta Silverbacks announced Matt Bobo as the team’s Most Valuable Player for the 2006 season. Bobo, a newcomer to the Silverbacks, anchored Atlanta’s defense throughout the entire season and helped lead the team on a playoff race that lasted until the final day of the regular season. In an act almost unheard of by a field player, he played in every minute of every single game in the 2006 season. During his 2520 minutes in 28 games, Bobo recorded only one goal, but it was a memorable one. The Iowa native scored the first goal ever recorded at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. Bobo scored the goal in the Silverbacks’ 3-2 win over the Charleston Battery at the home opener on June 3.
Head Coach Jason Smith commented on Bobo’s selection, “We needed someone going into this year that would help us solidify our defense; he more than filled that role and exceeded our expectations. Every game we could never question his work rate and his dedication to the team’s effort.”
Bobo was named to the USL First Division All-League Second Team for his play during the 2006 season. Prior to joining the Silverbacks, he played with the 2005 USL runners-up, the Richmond Kickers. He began his professional career with the Milwaukee Rampage – he helped the team win the 2002 A-League Championship. Bobo attended Eastern Illinois University where he was also awarded MVP honors.
CHARLESTON AND VANCOUVER ADVANCE TO USL SEMI-FINALS
The semi-finals for the USL First Division will begin this Friday for the top four teams in the USL. The Charleston Battery beat the Puerto Rico Islanders with a 3-2 aggregate score (2-2 and 1-0). The Vancouver Whitecaps beat Miami FC with a 6-1 aggregate score (4-1 and 2-0). The Battery will face the Rochester Raging Rhinos and the Whitecaps will face the Montreal Impact. The Rhinos and the Impact finished in the top two spots in the league, thus earning a bye through the first round of playoffs. The games begin this Friday in Rochester and Vancouver.
© Atlanta Silverbacks 2006 – All Rights Reserved.
