Tuesday October 2, 2007
          After qualifying for the postseason for the first time in five years, the Atlanta Silverbacks went on to complete a historic playoff run that culminated in a USL First Division Championship appearance last Saturday night (09.29.07) against the Seattle Sounders. Despite falling in the final match, the Silverbacks achieved many franchise firsts during their competitive campaign for the title.
          On Saturday, August 25 the Silverbacks clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2002. The franchise had previously appeared in the postseason twice - 2001 and 2002 without advancing past the first round.
          On Friday, September 7 the Silverbacks clinched fourth place in the 2007 playoffs. The fourth place position would allow the Silverbacks to determine whether to play the Rochester Raging Rhinos at home in the first or second leg of the USL-1 quarterfinals. The Silverbacks chose to play Rochester at home first, a decision that would prove to be vitally important.
          On Friday, September 14 the Silverbacks won the first playoff match in franchise history when the team beat Rochester 2-1. Prior to 2007, the Silverbacks were 0-2-1 in the postseason.  
          On Sunday, September 16 the Silverbacks advanced past the first round and into the semifinals for the first time in franchise history. The Silverbacks tied Rochester 1-1 on the road, giving Atlanta the 3-2 win on aggregate goals.
          On Friday, September 21 the Silverbacks played in the franchise’s first semifinal match. Atlanta played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw at home in front of an electric crowd at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium.
          On Sunday, September 23 the Silverbacks beat Portland in a nail-biting match that included 90 scoreless minutes of regulation, 30 scoreless minutes of overtime, and penalty kicks. The Silverbacks overcame the Timbers in the penalty kicks by a score of 3-1.
          On Saturday, September 29 the Atlanta Silverbacks took on the Seattle Sounders in the USL-1 Championship match for the ‘Backs’ first ever championship appearance. Despite being almost even in shots, the Silverbacks fell 4-0 to the Sounders who subsequently won their fourth league title. While the Silverbacks were out on the west coast fighting for the championship title, the Atlanta fans gathered at Twain’s Billiards and Tap to cheer on their hometown team. The Decatur restaurant welcomed several hundred loyal Silverbacks fans for the official watch party.

Keep up-to-date with the latest Silverbacks news at www.atlantasilverbacks.com. 

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