Sunday September 16, 2007
          The Atlanta Silverbacks advanced to the semi-finals of the USL First Division playoffs Sunday night (09.16.07) with a 1-1 draw against the Rochester Raging Rhinos in the second leg of the quarterfinals. The Silverbacks advanced on an aggregate score of 3-2 after winning the first leg 2-1 at home on Friday night (9.14.07). Atlanta has never advanced past the first round of the USL-1 playoffs; the team’s win on Friday night was another franchise first as well. Until the 2007 playoffs, the Atlanta Silverbacks had never won a playoff match nor advanced past the first round.
          “We knew Rochester would come at us all night and we prepared ourselves for a battle. We played solid defensively and finished our chances. Our guys did the job and I’m very proud of them,” commented Head Coach Jason Smith. “We’re looking forward to playing in the next round.”
           The Silverbacks took the lead in the 40th minute after an impressive combination between Machel Millwood and Warren Ukah. Their one-two put Millwood one-on-one with Rochester’s goalkeeper, Scott Vallow. Millwood slipped it underneath the hapless Vallow and gave the ‘Backs the one goal lead.
           Rochester sent numbers forward in the second half and did all they could to put away the equalizer. Their efforts were rewarded in the 79th minute when Matthew Delicate finished one past Ryan McIntosh and renewed hope for the Rhinos. The Silverbacks cleared the ball, but Rochester’s Alfonso Loera sent the ball back in to Delicate who ripped the shot into the net. Rochester continued to pressure Atlanta, but the Silverbacks held onto the draw. In the 90th minute, Atlanta’s Anthony Wolfe chased down a ball and collided with Rochester’s second half goalkeeper Chase Harrison which resulted in Wolfe getting a red card and the ensuing ejection from the match. Wolfe will not be eligible for the first leg of the semi-final series.
           The semi-finals will take place next weekend in another two-game aggregate home-and-away series between the 4-Atlanta Silverbacks and the 2-Portland Timbers as well as the 1-Seattle Sounders and the 6-Puerto Rico Islanders. The Silverbacks will host the Portland Timbers on Friday, September 21 at 7:55 pm at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium in the first leg of the USL-1 semi-finals. The Silverbacks will play the second leg of the semi-final series on Sunday, September 23 at PGE Park, the time has yet to be determined.  Visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com for all the latest information.

           For ticket information about seeing the Silverbacks in the USL-1 semi-finals at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium on Friday night (09.21.07) – call 404-969-4900 or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

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