The Atlanta Silverbacks will host Azzurri FC Tuesday night at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium at 7:55 pm. The match between the USL First Division’s Silverbacks and the United States Adult Soccer Association’s Azzurri FC marks the beginning of the first round of action in the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Despite their amateur status, Azzurri FC packs a strong roster with players full of heart and the passion to play – Tuesday night’s competition will be an exciting match to watch as Azzurri attempts to upset the Silverbacks and the 'Backs defend their home turf. Azzurri FC qualified for the nationwide tournament after winning their bracket at the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) Region III Finals. Azzurri FC last made an appearance in the U.S. Open Cup in 2005 – they did not advance past the first round.
The first round of the U.S. Open Cup includes 32 teams from the USL First Division, USL Second Division, USL Premier Development League and USASA. Winners from the first round will face off in the second round on June 26; if the Silverbacks advance they will take on the winner of Lynch’s Irish Pub FC (USASA) vs. the Charlotte Eagles (USL-2). The third round will see second round winners facing off against eight MLS teams and the tournament will continue in a bracket format leading up to the finals on October 2.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation’s National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. It is the oldest annual team tournament in U.S. sports history and among the oldest soccer tournaments of its type in the world.
Ticket prices to see the U.S. Open Cup match will be the same as all Silverbacks’ regular season matches. For more information visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com or call 404-969-4900.
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