Tuesday October 16, 2007
         About the same time the Atlanta Silverbacks began their historic professional playoff campaign, Atlanta’s best amateur soccer teams began a championship campaign of their own in the Atlanta Silverbacks Champion’s League presented by McDonald’s. The third-annual tournament draws the best amateur teams from the various amateur leagues around the Atlanta area to compete on a common stage. Of the 16 teams that began the tournament in early September, only four remain to compete in the semifinal round this Saturday night (10.20.07) at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. Last year’s champion, Future Stars Premier was the only No.2 seed to beat a No.1 seed in the quarterfinals, they beat San Diego Silverbacks 2-1 last weekend. Future Stars Premier (Georgia Metro Soccer League) will have to get past a strong Tierra Caliente team in order to advance to the championship match. Tierra Caliente (Liga Lawrenceville Champion) won their quarterfinal match against Cafecol 6-3. Future Stars Premier and Tierra Caliente will kick off on Saturday night at 7:00 pm to see who will take one of the coveted spots in the Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League final match.
          The other spot in the tournament’s championship match will be filled by the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves or the Melchester Wings, the No.1 and No.2 teams from the Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League, respectively. The Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves advanced to the semifinals after stunning Saturn 5-0. The Melchester Wings also shutout their quarterfinal opponents, San Lorenzo, by a score of 3-0. The Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves will take on the Melchester Wings at 9:00 pm on Saturday night.
          In addition to the prestigious title of champion, the tournament offers the biggest prize purse in any regional amateur tournament - $25,000 in cash prizes. And this year the players aren’t the only people eligible for great prizes - anyone with a paid admission ticket to the Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League Final on Saturday, October 27 can enroll in a pre-game raffle for a variety of awesome items including: a Cruz Azul jersey signed by Oscar “Conejo” Perez, a Silverbacks jersey signed by the entire 2007 squad, a 27” flat panel television, McDonald’s gift certificates, soccer equipment, Diadora apparel, Atlanta Silverbacks gear, and more! In addition, the first 500 fans to purchase tickets to the event will receive a 2007 Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League official t-shirt. On October 27, the third place match will begin at 6:00 pm, the raffle will start immediately following the match (approximately 8:00 pm) and the championship match will begin at 9:00 pm.

          Tickets to see the Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League semifinal matches are $5 in advance and $7 at the gate; tickets to see the Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League Championship match are $8 in advance and $10 at the gate.
          Purchase tickets in advance at the offices of the Atlanta Silverbacks or on game night at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. Call 404-969-4900 for more information.

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