Atlanta Silverbacks

         The Atlanta Silverbacks return home this Saturday night (6.2.07) to seek revenge against Miami FC and their Brazilian star, Zinho at 7:55 pm at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. The first 500 fans to enter the stadium to see the Silverbacks take on Miami will receive a free mini-soccer ball.
          Saturday night’s match marks the Silverbacks’ first home game in three weeks – the ‘Backs split a weekend between Puerto Rico (5.18.07) and Miami (5.20.07) and took on Charleston last Saturday night (5.26.07). Atlanta came out of the road swing with a 3-0 win over the Islanders, a 2-1 loss to Miami, and a 2-0 loss to Charleston. After two losses in a row, and a few weeks away from the home crowd, the Silverbacks will be looking to improve their record while also greeting fans with some great action.
          The Silverbacks, 3-3-2, currently sit in seventh place with just three points separating them from the second place team, the Montreal Impact. As the season progresses, each weekend will slowly determine the pecking order for the 2007 playoffs. The Silverbacks need a win this weekend to return to the top of the table at this early stage. Miami, currently one spot below Atlanta in the USL First Division standings, will be looking to edge past the Silverbacks with a win. Fans are in for a treat in this always-intense battle between the Silverbacks and their southern neighbors.

SILVERBACKS WOMEN WIN TWO ON THE ROAD – READY TO TAKE ON CHARLOTTE IN HOME OPENER
            A little over two weeks ago, the Atlanta Silverbacks Women lost 3-0 to Charlotte in the Lady Eagles’ home opener; the Silverbacks Women will look to return the favor this Friday night in their home opener at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium at 7:55 pm.
           “We were disappointed with our first loss against Charlotte, but we rebounded well and played great this past weekend,” commented team co-captain, Krista Davey. “We’re excited to come home and play in front of our fans this weekend; and we’re ready to have another chance against Charlotte.”
           The Silverbacks, 2-1-0, currently sit third in the W-League’s Atlantic Division of the Central Conference. After suffering a 3-0 to Charlotte in the season opener, the Silverbacks bounced back for a grueling road trip over the weekend that was set to include three games in four days. Atlanta dominated against the expansion-side Fredericksburg Lady Gunners, but they were only able to squeeze a goal in from a penalty kick in the 85th minute thanks to Monica Buff. Their finishing woes disappeared against the Hampton Roads Piranhas and the Silverbacks won 3-0 with two goals from Sarah Steinmann and a goal from Davey. The ‘Backs took on the Richmond Kickers Destiny on Monday, but with a 1-1 score (goal by Tara Minnax) and only a few minutes remaining in the first half – the game was called short due to inclement weather.
           Tickets to see the Silverbacks Women can be purchased online at www.atlantasilverbacks.com or by calling 1-866-GO-BACKS.

U23's SPLIT THREE GAMES OVER THE WEEKEND - SET TO HOST CAROLINA IN DOUBLE-HEADER WITH WOMEN ON FRIDAY
The Atlanta Silverbacks U23’s went 1-1-1 over the weekend, improving their record to 2-1-2. The U23’s soundly beat the Bradenton Academics 3-1 on Thursday night at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium and with two wins and tie under their belt, only one game stood in the way of the U23’s and the 2007 U.S. Open Cup. On Saturday night (5.26.07), the Silverbacks and the Carolina Dynamo finished the 90 minute match with a scoreless tie, erasing the U23’s chances for a spot in the Open Cup. After an intense match with the Dynamo, the Silverbacks had to turn around and play the Cary RailHawks U23’s, the next day. The Silverbacks’ fatigue set in and the team lost 4-0.
The U23’s will return to RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium on Friday evening at 5:15 pm in a rematch against the Carolina Dynamo. The match is part of a double-header with the Silverbacks Women, who will play at 7:55 pm. For ticket information call 1-866-GO-BACKS.