Monday June 23, 2008
ATLANTA—On the heels of an convincing league win over Puerto Rico last Saturday, the Atlanta Silverbacks travel to Miami to face the Miami F.C. Blues in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night at Tropical Park. Kickoff is at 8:00.

(Photo Caption: Mac Kandji battles Puerto Rico goalkeeper Bill Gaudette. Kandji had a goal in the Silverbacks USOC first round match. Photo by Elaine Carroll)

The Silverbacks (4-3-5 league, 0-0-1* USOC) earned a place in the second round topping PDL side Austin Aztex in penalty kicks June 10 at Austin after playing to a 2-2 draw.  Mac Kandji and David Hayes both scored equalizing goals. The Silverbacks won the tie-breaker 5-4.

Miami (3-6-7 league, 1-0-0 USOC) also had some difficulty with the PDL Bradenton Academics side in its opening USOC match, falling behind in the 20th minute before finishing off the amateur side 4-2.  Sean Cameron, Leo Inacio Nunes, had a goal apiece and Alex Afonso had a pair for the Blues.

“Miami started slow this season, but have become on of the best defensive teams in the league,” said head coach Jason Smith. “I think we got a little unlucky with the draw.  It is, I think, the toughest game in the second round. It's going to be a good test for us.”

Tuesday will be the first meeting between the two clubs in 2008. In 2007 the Silverbacks were 1-2-0 versus the Blues, going 1-1 at Tropical Park.

The Silverbacks enter the USOC contest fresh off its first victory in four outings, topping the Puerto Rico Islanders 3-1 at Silverbacks Park last Saturday.  Ansu Toure had one goal sandwiched by a pair of Mac Kandji goals.

Miami is fresh off a 1-1 draw at Vancouver Sunday.  Juan Pablo Galavis put the Blues in the lead in the 20th minute.  The lead lasted just over half an hour, ending Miami's six-game shut out streak.

Miami has appeared in the single-elimination knock out tournament in both years of the club's existence.  This year's first round win was the club's first in the tournament.

Notes

Top Man
Mac Kandji's brace in last week's 3-1 win over Puerto Rico made him the club's leading scorer with five goals on the season in all competitions.  Jason McLaughlin is a close second with four goals.

Sit This One Out
The Silverbacks will be without the services of Chris Mahaffey, who will serve a one game suspension for the straight red card he received versus Austin.

Back in the Swing of Things
Ansu Toure will be available for Tuesday's match after serving his one match suspension versus Austin for the red card he received last year while playing for Minnesota.

Not Yet
Miami has never advanced out of the opening round of USOC play before this year.  In 2006 and 2007 the side was put out by amateur teams: Roma F.C. (USASA) in 2006, and El Paso (PDL) in '07.

Next Up
The Silverbacks return to Silverbacks Park Saturday night to face the Portland Timbers.  Kickoff is at 7:55.

Availability Report
Injury
Mike Ambersley (knee)—Out remainder of season
Warren Ukah (knee)—Out remainder of season

Suspension
Chris Mahaffey (One Game)—For ejection versus Austin Aztex