Tuesday December 19, 2006
            The Atlanta Silverbacks announced that Steve Muccillo will serve as the head coach for the Atlanta Silverbacks U23s - the Silverbacks franchise that participates in the USL’s Premier Development League.
           “Steve and I have known each other for quite some time, we both grew up playing soccer here in the Atlanta area. I’ve always respected him has a player and now I’ve gotten to know him in as a great coach as well,” commented Silverbacks Head Coach Jason Smith. “I value his expertise and I’m excited to get him involved in the program. His coaching and playing experience, along with his local ties, should make him a great coach to take the PDL team to the next step.”
           Muccillo commented on his new position, “I'm looking forward to working alongside a staff and players that share my same passion, commitment, and love for the game.  The professionalism of the Silverbacks organization is outstanding; they are building something special here in Atlanta, and I'm excited to be a part of it.”
          Muccillo, a USSF A Licensed coach, grew up playing soccer in the Atlanta-area and played for Georgia State University. He helped lead the Panthers to two TAAC championships in 1986 and 1987, and went on to play professionally in the USISL, the NPSL, the A-League, and the EISL. Muccillo, who also has his NSCAA Premier Diploma, was an assistant coach at Georgia State University and Lagrange College. He has worked with AFC Lightning for the past 13 years. Muccillo says his local ties will help him with the Silverbacks U23s,
          “I’m familiar with many players in the Atlanta area and I feel I have the ability and resources to identify the best players and people around. I’m very excited to be coaching senior level players and I’m looking forward to this new challenge.”
           The Silverbacks U23s play a 16-game schedule during the summer months. The PDL allows college-age players to compete in a professional environment while still maintaining NCAA eligibility. The Silverbacks U23s will hold open tryouts on March 3 and March 10. Click here for more information.

SILVERBACKS MEN LOOK TO 2007 – TRYOUTS AND NEW OPPONENTS
           The Atlanta Silverbacks Men held the first of three open tryouts last weekend at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. Head Coach Jason Smith and the Silverbacks’ coaching staff ran three trial sessions over the weekend. The Silverbacks will hold two more weekend-long sessions on January 19-21 and February 16-18. Click here for more information on the future tryout dates.
           The United Soccer Leagues announced the 2007 alignment for the USL First Division. The addition of the expansion sides the Carolina RailHawks and the California Victory, along with the transition of the Toronto Lynx to the PDL, puts the USL First Division to 13 teams. The Victory, whose name is derived from parent club Deportivo Alaves of Vitoria, Spain, is the first USL franchise owned by a foreign club.
           The USL First Division playoffs will expand to eight teams in 2007 with all eight qualifying clubs playing two-leg aggregate score series in the Quarterfinals the first week after the close of the regular season. The winning clubs from the Quarterfinals will be re-seeded for the Semifinals, also two-leg aggregate score series to determine the two clubs for the USL First Division Championship game to be hosted by one of the two finalists.