Wednesday July 2, 2008
ATLANTA—The Atlanta Silverbacks look to rebound after a difficult 2-0 home loss lat weekend to Portland Thursday night, hosting the Minnesota Thunder at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. Kickoff is set for 7:55. A fireworks display will follow the match.

Last Saturday's loss was the second the Silverbacks suffered in the span of a week. Last Tuesday the Silverbacks were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup, falling 1-0 at Miami F.C.

Traditionally, the Silverbacks (4-4-5, 17 points, fifth place) have had success against the Thunder (4-6-4, 16 points, seventh place), going 6-1-2 all time versus the Thunder; the Silverbacks only loss, a 3-0 result was in 2005.

“In the last couple of games we haven't finished our chances. That needs to change,” said head coach Jason Smith. “It's not that we are playing that badly, we just haven't been able to put the chances that we create away.”

Already the Silverbacks have picked up four much-needed points versus the Thunder in the two clubs prior two meetings this year, winning at Silverbacks Park 2-1 off goals by Tony McManus and Jason McLaughlin, and drawing 1-1 at Minnesota. Blake Camp had the equalizer at Minnesota.

The Thunder is coming off a pair of losses at Puerto Rico played over a three-day span. Seven days after playing league frontrunner Charleston Battery to a 1-1 draw at Blackbaud Stadium, the Thunder did not manage a goal in the opener, falling 1-0. Two days later the Thunder managed a goal, but conceded three. Freddy Moojen scored Minnesota's only goal on the trip, his first on the season.

Since its last victory, a 3-1 win over Miami, the Thunder have gone 0-3-3, which includes its 1-1 draw versus the Silverbacks.

Notes

Oohs and Aahs
A fireworks spectacular will follow Thursday's match.

Cold Spell
The Silverbacks have not scored a goal in 241 minutes.

Close Behind
Despite being kept off the score sheet in two consecutive matches (one U.S. Open Cup and one league match), the Silverbacks are still second in goals scored in the league with 18, one behind the Charleston Battery with 19.

Stop the Bleeding
Unfortunately, the Silverbacks lead the league in goals against with 21. The next closest club is Carolina with 17. Vancouver leads the league in goals, allowing eight in 12 games.

A Little R & R
Tony McManus will miss Thursday's match—and likely the pair of international friendlies that follow due to injury. He is suffering from several sore and strained hip muscles that have made running all but impossible. It is hoped he will be available for selection when the Silverbacks resume league play July 18.

The Big Guns
The Silverbacks host three of the hemisphere's biggest clubs starting Wednesday at Silverbacks Park: Current CONCACAF champions Pachuca square-off against the Silverbacks on Wednesday, Independiente, one of Argentina's biggest clubs comes to town the following Satruday, and Olimpia faces the Silverbacks on July 19 as part of a tribute match to former Silverback and Olimpia great Alex Pineda-Chacon. Tickets are still available for all three matches.

Availability Report
Injury
Mike Ambersley (knee)—Out remainder of season
Warren Ukah (knee)—Out remainder of season
Tony McManus (hit)—Out one to two weeks

Suspension
None