United Soccer Leagues announced the Virginia Beach Mariners USL First Division and Submariners Premier Development League franchises owned by Virginia Beach Soccer LLC (VBS) have been terminated by USL. As a result, the USL-1 team has been removed from the 2007 schedule and will not be replaced.
The Atlanta Silverbacks’ home schedule will remain the same; however, on May 5, the Silverbacks will replace their previously scheduled opponents, the Virginia Beach Mariners, with the Carolina RailHawks. The Silverbacks’ away schedule will change slightly; the Silverbacks will no longer have a game on August 19 against the Mariners. Instead, the Silverbacks will travel to Cary, NC on April 28 to take on the RailHawks.
Click here for the Atlanta Silverbacks’ revised 2007 schedule.
“This is an extremely unfortunate situation for everyone involved,” said USL Executive Vice President and COO Tim Holt. “The Virginia Beach Sportsplex is an excellent facility, there is a great core of dedicated fans, and in many ways the Mariners were headed in a positive direction for the first time in several years. To have this happen in the 11th hour has been a stunning development for all, especially given the rise in the quality of ownership across the league the past few years and the stability that has come with it.”
Click here for the official USL press release on the Virginia Beach Mariners and the entire revised USL-1 schedule.
For more information about the Atlanta Silverbacks visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com or call 404-969-4900.
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