The Atlanta Silverbacks play host to the Charleston Battery this Saturday, August 5th at 7:55 PM at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium in the 'Backs third Southern Derby Cup match of the year.
Charleston (7-8-5), has been hot recently after a six-game winless streak. In their past two matches, the Battery downed the Portland Timbers 2-0 and Miami FC 3-0. Portland sits atop the standings in the USL, while Miami FC was unbeaten in their five previous games. Both of the Battery’s victories came in Charleston. While Charleston is now 5-2-4 at home, their road record stands at 2-6-1 with 20 goals allowed in those games.
Atlanta is looking to get back injured players Omar Jarun and Machel Millwood for Saturday’s game. Hometown talent Jarun has missed seven games while Millwood has been sidelined most of the season. Millwood led Atlanta in scoring last season and has collected four points in five games this year. Both saw playing time against Cruz Azul in the Copa Amistad (Friendship Cup) and are trying to get back into USL action.
Charleston's newly acquired striker Andre Toussaint wasted no time in showing his skills for the Battery; in his debut against Miami, Toussaint registered an assist and scored a goal after entering in the second half. On the other side of the field, goalie Dustin Hudock has posted back-to-back shutouts for the Battery and has not been scored upon in over 210 consecutive minutes.
The Silverbacks are tied in the standings with Charleston. Each team has 26 points and is tied for eighth place, but a win could put either team as high as fifth place. Both clubs will be jockeying for position as just four points separate six teams in the First Division.
Make sure to come early – the first 300 fans through the gates will receive the second set of official player cards. For tickets or more information, call 404-969-4900 or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.
SILVERBACKS WOMEN TAKE ON SEATTLE IN W-LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS
After two relatively easy matches in the first and second round of the 2007 W-League Playoff, the Atlanta Silverbacks Women will aim to put themselves in the championship game. The Silverbacks will take on the Seattle Sounders this Friday, August 3 at 5:30 pm in Rochester, NY.
Atlanta (11-2-1) won the first round over the Michigan Hawks 4-0 before securing the Central Conference Championship last Saturday with a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Lightning. The high-octane Atlanta offense has averaged four goals per game in the month of July with six matches played. Sarah Steinmann, Kay Harbrueger, and Christine Latham have each registered two playoff goals to lead the ‘Backs.
Seattle (8-4-1) comes into the game in good form as well – the Sounders are 7-1-0 in their last eight games. Seattle has also played well in the close games in this stretch, winning all four games decided by one goal. While Seattle is 6-0-0 at home, they are 1-4-1 on the road, and Atlanta will try to capitalize on the Sounders’ road struggles.
In the other semifinal, the Washington Freedom (14-1-1) battles the Rochester Raging Rhinos (5-7-1). The prolific Freedom offense has scored a staggering 57 goals on the year – nearly double the amount of most teams in the league. Rochester automatically received a semifinal spot as the hosts of the tournament. The championship game will be played this Sunday, August 5 at 5:30 pm.
The semi-finals matches will be broadcast live on USLLive (www.USLLive.com) and the Championship match will be broadcast live on the Fox Soccer Channel. For more information, call 404-969-4900 or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.
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