The Atlanta Silverbacks clinched their first playoff berth in five years this past weekend with a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Thunder. The Silverbacks will return home to RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium on Saturday night when they host the Puerto Rico Islanders at 7:55 pm. Although both teams have secured spots in the postseason playoffs, they will each be looking to finish the regular season amongst the league’s top four teams, allowing themselves the higher seed in the first round of the 2007 USL First Division Playoffs. This year’s first round will see a two-game aggregate goal series between the USL First Division’s top eight teams (1-v-8; 2-v-7; 3-v-6; 4-v-5) with Seeds #1, #2, #3, and #4 having the right to choose whether they host the first or second leg of the two-game series. With only 15 total games remaining in the USL First Division season, each playoff-eligible team will be looking to put themselves in the highest possible seed as they prepare for the postseason.
Current USL First Division Standings:
| Team |
Points |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
| Seattle Sounders |
48 |
25 |
14 |
5 |
6 |
| Portland Timbers |
47 |
26 |
13 |
5 |
8 |
| Montreal Impact |
44 |
25 |
12 |
5 |
8 |
| Atlanta Silverbacks |
39 |
25 |
11 |
8 |
6 |
| Rochester Raging Rhinos |
39 |
26 |
11 |
9 |
6 |
| Puerto Rico Islanders |
39 |
26 |
10 |
7 |
9 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps |
34 |
25 |
8 |
7 |
10 |
| Carolina RailHawks |
29 |
25 |
7 |
10 |
8 |
| Charleston Battery |
29 |
26 |
8 |
13 |
5 |
| Miami FC |
28 |
27 |
8 |
15 |
4 |
| Minnesota Thunder |
20 |
24 |
3 |
10 |
11 |
| California Victory |
19 |
26 |
4 |
15 |
7 |
The Silverbacks and Islanders have already met twice this season with Atlanta winning on the road (3-2) and at home (3-0). The Silverbacks are 7-3-3 at home and will look to continue their winning ways at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium in their final regular season home match of the year. The Islanders have won three consecutive games and will look to make amends for their two previous losses to the Silverbacks with a win on the road in Atlanta on Saturday night.
Atlanta’s David Hayes received USL Team of the Week honors for his efforts in the Silverbacks 3-2 win over the Minnesota Thunder last Saturday night. Hayes’ scored the game winning goal which clinched the ‘Backs playoff birth.
The Silverbacks will be giving away the fourth and final set of 2007 Official Silverbacks Player Cards to the first 300 fans through the stadium gates on Saturday night. Be sure to arrive early to get the last set of player cards to complete this season’s entire edition.
For ticket information please call 404-969-4900 or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.
© Atlanta Silverbacks 2007 – All Rights Reserved.
