Tuesday November 20, 2007
          The Atlanta Silverbacks announced Warren Ukah, the team’s leading scorer in 2007, has extended his contract with the Silverbacks, pending USSF clearance. Ukah, an Atlanta native, scored 11 goals and recorded two assists for his hometown team during the 2007 season. His first highlight of the season came when he scored two goals in the Silverbacks’ 2-0 shutout of the Vancouver Whitecaps, the league-leaders at the time. Another highlight came during the Silverbacks’ first U.S. Open Cup match, Ukah managed to score three goals in five minutes, his first hat trick with Atlanta. 
         “Warren had a breakout season in 2007; I believe he has established himself as a dominant forward in league,” commented Head Coach Jason Smith. “We look forward to his continued success in a Silverbacks’ uniform.”
          Ukah, a Grady High School graduate, returned to play professional soccer in Atlanta in 2006 when he joined the Silverbacks; he played in 18 games and recorded five goals. Prior to returning home, Ukah played with the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2005 and the Virginia Beach Mariners in 2004. He began his professional career in Jamaica with Village United where he scored 16 goals during his two seasons with the team.

ATLANTA SILVERBACKS VOTED USL W-LEAGUE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
          The United Soccer Leagues recognized outstanding performances by member teams and executives of its senior leagues (USL-1, USL-2, W-League, PDL) Sunday night at the USL Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner in Tampa, FL. The Atlanta Silverbacks received the “Organization of the Year” award for the USL W-League. The Atlanta Silverbacks launched the W-League franchise in 2005; after just two seasons in the league, the Silverbacks Women appeared in the 2007 USL W-League Championship.

ATLANTA SILVERBACKS JUNIORS FALL SHORT IN NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS
          The Atlanta Silverbacks PDP/Super-Y program sent five teams to the 2007 North American Finals in Tampa, FL last weekend. The U14 Boys, U15 Boys, U17 Boys, U13 Girls, and U14 Girls represented the Silverbacks Juniors at the international tournament. The U13 and U14 girls advanced to the semi-finals, but fell short of a win and did not advance to the championship match.
          All five teams of Atlanta Silverbacks Juniors began first round play on Friday as a part of the United Soccer League’s Soccer Fest, an event of national scale which included the Super-Y League Finals and the USL Annual General Meeting.
          The Silverbacks PDP/Super-Y program consists of five girls’ and five boys’ elite-level teams that compete regionally during the summer. After the summer season, teams who qualify are invited to play for the championship in November. Since its start five years ago, the Silverbacks’ PDP program has grown stronger every year and continues to expand its presence at the finals.
          Tryouts for the Silverbacks Juniors’ 2008 squads will be held in January, and the Silverbacks will be looking to take even more teams to the national tournament next year. For more information on the Atlanta Silverbacks Juniors or tryouts, please visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

© Atlanta Silverbacks 2007 – All Rights Reserved.