After the RailHawks scored the first goal of the night in the 2nd minute this game would also test the Silverbacks resilience.  Especially when the RailHawks scored their  second off a lazy backpass from Martin Lancaster. Goalkeeper Daniel Illyes was already off his line but he couldn’t get to the ball before Nick Zimmerman played it passed Illyes and slotted the shot into an empty net.

The Silverbacks pushed the tempo and it only took 5 minutes  to even the score up at 2 – 2 and enter the half with some momentum. Both goals came on similar plays in which they moved it up the field passed it in at the top of the box from the right side and Reinaldo Navia and Raphael Cox each with clinical finishes.

The Silverbacks took their first lead of the game in the 68th minute when Willie Hunt scored off a header following a corner kick. That lead didn’t last long as Zimmerman scored his second goal 6 minutes later. To make matters worse Willie Hunt received his second yellow of the game and was ejected.

Nobody would have blamed the Silverbacks for putting everyone behind the ball the looking to make it out with a point. However, despite being down a man the Silverbacks scored one more when Navia tallied his second of the night in the 80th minute to take the 4-3 lead.

Unfortunately, like last year in the final minutes of the game the Silverbacks couldn’t do enough to hold on to the points.  In the last minute of regulation RailHawks Forward Brian Shriver scored the final goal of the game to ensure his team a point.  Just moments later there was a shoving match between Silverbacks Nico Colaluca and RailHawks Brian Ackley that excited both benches but cooler heads prevailed and things settled down quickly but that Referee wasn’t having any of it. After red carding both players the Ref decided not to play out the remainder of the stoppage time as he picked up the ball and walked off the pitch.

All around it was a highly entertaining match. Both teams played well and it was good to see the character of the team throughout the match as they answered every challenge presented to them.  The biggest concern may be with the red cards given to Hunt and Colaluca. Hopefully some players can return from injury and help boaster the teams depth this week.

Next up is a home match for the Silverbacks against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, April 21st at 7:30.

UPDATE: video highlights http://www.carolinarailhawks.com/index.php?id=111&newsid=2075

The Silverbacks had the majority of the possession but it wasn’t enough against a San Antonio team that was happy to sit back and defend with hopes of scoring on a counter attack.  The makeshift forward pairing of Nico Colaluca and David Santamaria isn’t one you’ll likely see as the season moves on.  Chilean forward Reinaldo Navia just arrived in Atlanta on Friday morning but was on the bench and played the final 15 minutes of the match coming on for Santamaria.  The other big forward signing of Stephen Ademolu still hasn’t arrived yet but should be in Atlanta within the next week or so. The Silverbacks leading scorer from last year, Matt Horth, is still recovering from an injury and didn’t dress for the game.  It’s early in the season but there shouldn’t be any concerns about the offense from this one game.

There were many  opportunities for both sides to get on the board and each keeper came up with a few big saves to help preserve the clean sheets.  The majority of the Silverbacks chances came from crosses in from the side and lobs over the top. Unfortunately most were met by empty space or San Antonio’s defense.  The service definitely needs to be better regardless of who comes in as forward.

One winner on the night was Special Olympics Georgia. The Atlanta Silverbacks committed to donating $1 for every ticket purchased for the night’s game.  It’s good to  see clubs like the Silverbacks give back to the community. The San Antonio Scorpions were created for the purpose of not just giving back, but giving all. All net profits generated from the San Antonio Scorpions will go to Morgan’s Wonderland, a park created for the recreation and enjoyment to individuals with special needs.  The park was created back in 2007 by Gordon Hartman, who also leads the ownership group of the San Antonio Scorpions.

Did you get out to see the game? If so, what did you think?

Chacon has been with the Silverbacks organization dating back to 2004 as a player and then as an an assistant coach for the 2007 season before the team went on hiatus for two years.

In addition to Chacon there are a handful of returning players. Last years team captain and midfielder Lucas Pauldini will return along with Forward Matt Horth and midfielders Ciaran O’Brien and Raphael Cox. Defenders Willie Hunt, Shane Moroney, Partick Robertson and Kohei Matsushita are also returning. Fernando Gonzalez will also return after suffering a season-ending foot injury in May of 2011.

Two players returning from previous stints with the club include Defensive midfielder Tony McManus (2005 – 2008) and Martyn Lancaster (2007 – 2008) .  McManus started last season with FC Tampa Bay (now Rowdies) and then after being released signed on with the Carolina Railhawks in August 2011.  Atlanta resident Martyn Lancaster advanced to the championship game last year with the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. Both return in hopes of helping boaster Atlanta’s defense.

To add another piece on the defensive side of the field the Silverbacks signed the 6′ 3″ Brazilian center back Rilla.  Hungarian goalkeeper and new addition Daniel Illyes will be thankful that Rilla is there to help anchor the defense.

All of the defense isn’t going to help if the team can’t score. That’s why the team has brought in some veteran players with international experience. Midfielder Danilo Turcios played 85 times for Honduras including twice in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Turcios is expected to be an attacking midfielder and a playmaker who can distribute the ball to the two new international forwards.

The Silverbacks are hoping that in Reinaldo Navia and Stephen Ademolu they have found the offensive spark that team lacked last year and has lacked to a degree this preseason. Unfortunately neither player arrived during the preseason and likely won’t be playing in the first few games of the season.  Add that with the fact that 2011 leading scorer Matt Horth is recovering from an injured and the Silverbacks may struggle to put many points on the board at the start of this season.

Former Canadian national team forward Stephen Ademolu feels like he has something to prove.  After an injury in 2010 prevented him from making the move to MLS he now feels he needs to show he’s back to the level he was when he played in Europe with four different clubs in Sweden, Norway, and Lithuania from 2004-2010.  Ademolu meet with the US Consulate in Toronto last Tuesday (4/3) and should be arriving next week.

Reinaldo Navia, the 33-year-old striker, comes to Atlanta after spending the 2011 season with Ñublense of the Chilean first division.   Prior to his stint with Ñublense, Navia played for some of Latin America’s most prestigious clubs including Mexican giants Club América and Monterrey and Ecuadorian powerhouse LDU Quito. Navia also represented Chile 40 times and scored 10 goals along the way. Navia is scheduled to arrive today if all goes as planned.

So which new addition do you think will have the most impact in 2012? Do you think there is enough talent to get the team to the playoffs this season?

Earlier this week we showed the Silverbacks home Jersey and mentioned their partnership with Reto Sports. In addition to the jersey and training apparel Reto has introduced a new line of leisure apparel that seems to really excited fans based on reactions and purchases. Here are a few of the items that will  be for sale at the Silverback Pro store presented and operated by Reto.

Azteca Atlanta (WUVM) has partnered with the Atlanta Silverbacks for the 2012 season, becoming the team’s official Spanish-language TV partner.  Each Silverbacks home game during the 2012 season will air locally on Azteca Atlanta, with a 30-minute pregame show also being included in the broadcast. The games will be shown via tape-delay on Sunday mornings, and pregame coverage will begin at 10:30 a.m. All games will air from 11 a.m.-1 p.m, preceding Azteca America network coverage of Mexican professional soccer.

The NASL also announced that all games will be available live via Ustream. As part of an expanded relationship, Ustream will launch an NASL “Super Channel” which will create a centralized hub where fans can find content from all eight NASL teams.  NASL teams plan to increase video content beyond live games by providing player features, coaches’ shows, press conferences, and other live streamed content.

The Atlanta Silverbacks also announced a five-year agreement with The Coca-Cola Company, making it the Silverbacks’ official beverage provider. Another dimension of the new partnership is the naming rights to one of Atlanta Silverbacks Park’s full-size soccer fields.

While they may not be the multi-million dollar jersey sponsorships of the MLS it’s still progress and it’s import to see these steps being taken at this level.  So what do you think is the next step for the NASL and the Silverbacks?

The Westside 109 state their mission as follows : to support our hometown team with drums, horns, bells and chants all 90 minutes of the match as well as a little bit of tailgating before and after the match. Click here for more information and to view their Facebook page.

The EastSide 309 is a group of like-minded friends getting together to cheer on and support The Atlanta Silverbacks. Originally formed as The Ruckus Ruckers in ’95~ish.  Located in the opposing corner to the WestSide 109, spreading support around the stadium.  Click here for more information and to view their Facebook page.

The Band of Backs is a new supporters group made up of youth and family supporters and sits in section 301 for home matches at Silverbacks Park. Click here for more information and to view their Facebook page.

How are you going to support the Silverbacks this year? Are you joining a group or just buying a few tickets and bringing some friends?