Saturday September 8, 2007
          The Atlanta Silverbacks clinched fourth place in the USL First Division final standings with a 1-1 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps last night at Swangard Stadium. The Silverbacks end the regular season with 43 points and a record of 12-9-7. Atlanta will begin the first round of the playoffs next weekend against the Rochester Raging Rhinos. The Rhinos clinched their fifth place finish tonight at PAETEC Park with a 2-0 win over the Montreal Impact. The Silverbacks, the higher seed, will determine if they will play the first or second leg of the two-game series at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium.
          The Silverbacks and the Rhinos met twice this season with both games ending in victories for Atlanta. The Silverbacks won 2-0 on the road in Rochester and 4-1 at home in Atlanta.

          “We set a goal at the beginning of the season to finish no less than fourth place, we achieved that goal tonight,” commented Head Coach Jason Smith after last night's draw. “We came here to win, but we’re happy to clinch fourth place. Our guys battled back to get the point; I’m pleased with the result and looking forward to playoffs.”

          The heated battle remained scoreless until the 81st minute when Vancouver snuck a goal past Ryan McIntosh. The Whitecaps had been pounding the Silverbacks’ backline and Tony Donatelli, with an assist from Martin Nash, was able to put the Whitecaps up 1-0. Atlanta did not let the draw get too far out of reach and returned the pressure to the Whitecaps’ defense. The ‘Backs scored the equalizer in the 88th minute when Tony McManus put away his fourth goal of the season and saved the draw for Atlanta. David Hayes drove a ball from the left flank into the box to Daniel Antoniuk; Antoniuk played the ball back to Rodrigo Rios who went into a tackle with a Vancouver defender; McManus collected the ball at the top of the box and dribbled to find an opening. After making room for himself, McManus ripped a shot past Vancouver’s goalkeeper Matt Nelson.
            Tickets to see the Silverbacks in the first playoff appearance in five years are available. Visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com or call 404-969-4900 for ticket information.

© Atlanta Silverbacks 2007 – All Rights Reserved.