495 minutes. Five and a half games. That’s how long it has been since the Atlanta Silverbacks scored a goal. Last night’s 2-0 loss at home to the NSC Minnesota [...]]]>

These kind of celebrations have been few and far between for Mario Perez (center) and the rest of the Atlanta Silverbacks this season.

495 minutes. Five and a half games. That’s how long it has been since the Atlanta Silverbacks scored a goal. Last night’s 2-0 loss at home to the NSC Minnesota Stars extended this streak into June, a streak that began in April and continued through all four games in May.

Not since Willie Hunt’s goal in first-half stoppage time on April 30 in Tampa have the Silverbacks hit the back of the net. Two goals from defenders, one from a forward. In total, three goals in nine games played this season.

It’s not surprising when one looks at the NASL table and sees Atlanta languishing at the bottom with just two points from nine games when you take this into account: The Atlanta Silverbacks have not led at any point of any game this season. Nine games, 810 minutes played, ZERO minutes leading a game.

One can point to the fact that Atlanta has also allowed the most goals of any team in the NASL, 15 in nine games. There have been points dropped due to goalkeeping errors, most notably in the first month of the season.

But none of these arguments can hold a candle to the simple fact that this team simply cannot put the ball in the back of the net. Imagine if the Silverbacks could get a lead. How confident would the players be and would the defense tighten knowing they’re not chasing the game as they have been all season?

As much credit as the Atlanta front office deserves for putting a team together in five months, the inaction shown this far into the season is bordering on criminal. It has been shown time and time again that the roster in its current shape and form is incapable of competing in the NASL this season.

It is one thing for the front office to preach patience and player development while at the same time asking fans to continue to shell out money in this economy to support a clearly inferior product.

Jose Manuel Abundis is in his first season as a professional head coach, these players have never played together, many of the players are lacking in professional experience, this roster was put together in a short period of time, Junior Sandoval’s injury took away the team’s best attacking option. The excuses are numerous and all have merit, but they are just that, excuses.

It has been made abundantly clear that the current roster isn’t capable of generating the goals to make this team competitive, and it is also clear that there will not be any big signings to come in and save the team. If the team is going to continue with their “player-development” mantra, they should look to the NPSL Southeast Division.

These players have already been playing for months, can be brought in for little money, and in some cases already have their international clearance. Tornubari Nyonebue of the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves has already trained with the Silverbacks first team and could provide a different option up front, as his speedy, physical style of play is something Atlanta is lacking.

Other players of note that are in the immediate area and have stood out are Chris Ochieng of Chattanooga F.C. and Jamal Harewood of the Georgia Revolution. Both are big, athletic target forwards who have shown well for their teams in the NPSL.

One of the questions I raised at the news when the Silverbacks announced their return last November was whether the team would actually be competitive or if they were merely coming along for the ride to complete an eight-team league mandated by the United States Soccer Federation in order for the NASL to receive sanctioning.

Nine games into the season and it appears the latter to be the case. It has already been a frustrating season for both the Silverbacks and their supporters, and unless changes are made soon, it will continue to be an even longer season.

Chris Ochieng finally broke the deadlock in the 116th minute. Chattanooga lofted a free kick into the Atlanta box and the ball fell softly to Ochieng, who had [...]]]> CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – After a thrilling 120 minutes, Chattanooga F.C. defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves 1-0 to earn its way into the 2011 U.S. Open Cup.

Chris Ochieng finally broke the deadlock in the 116th minute. Chattanooga lofted a free kick into the Atlanta box and the ball fell softly to Ochieng, who had time to control the ball and put it past Silverbacks Reserves goalkeeper Eric Ati.

The teams had been evenly matched throughout the game, with chances coming on both ends. Most notably for Atlanta was a shot in the 20th minute by Tornubari Nyonebue. The Atlanta striker hit a right-footed shot that deflected off the back of a Chattanooga defender, stranding goalkeeper Thomas Hunter. Fortunately for the Tennessee side, the ball ricocheted off the crossbar and fell to safety.

Deni Lulic of the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves gets tangled up Chattanooga F.C.'s Ivan Heredia.

In the 33rd minute, Silverbacks Reserves forward Nick Burton drove in on the left side of the box and forced Hunter into another great save. Throughout the game Atlanta peppered the Chattanooga goal but Hunter came up big each time. He was credited with six saves for the game.

Each team found itself with a great chance to win the game at regulation. First, Atlanta’s Alejandro Duque forced Hunter into a great save on a free kick from just outside the box. On the other end, Luke Winter had a free kick from nearly the same distance but put his shot over the bar.

As the teams headed to extra time, Silverbacks Reserves Head Coach Ricardo Montoya was ejected, leaving him to watch the remainder of the game from the press box.

In the first 15-minute extra period, Atlanta continued to dominate possession but could not put anything on goal. Towards the end of the period, Atlanta defender and captain Ramiro Canovas, the only player on the Silverbacks Reserves’ roster with U.S. Open Cup experience, had to be subbed out. In his place came Fabian Irigoyen and Atlanta would miss Canovas’ height and experience dearly.

The goal by Ochieng in the 116th minute sent the home supporters into a frenzy and Chattanooga held on to claim their first berth in the U.S. Open Cup as the representative of the NPSL Southeast Division.

Three minutes, two players, one ball. Contestants from across the country are set to battle it out at Center Stage on February 20th for a chance to represent the United States at the Red Bull Street Style World Finals.  The amateur competition blends the footwork of freestyle soccer and skillfulness of breakdancing as [...]]]>

Three minutes, two players, one ball. Contestants from across the country are set to battle it out at Center Stage on February 20th for a chance to represent the United States at the Red Bull Street Style World Finals.  The amateur competition blends the footwork of freestyle soccer and skillfulness of breakdancing as two contestants enter a one-on-one battle to show off their skills.

The winner of the U.S. Finals will continue in the competition and represent the U.S. in the Red Bull Street Style World Finals later this year in Cape Town, South Africa. The best freestyle soccer players from across the world will compete for the international title.

Using a soccer ball as their only prop, athletes will have three-minutes to juggle the ball and bring their best moves to the floor. There are no rules or limits on creativity, except that all participants and soccer ball must stay within the competition area at all times and the standard soccer “no hands” rule still applies.  Each player will alternate performing in 20-second intervals to the beats of the DJ.  After each duel, one player is eliminated, and so on, until the “ultimate match” is reached and with the spotlight on the two battling athletes a winner prevails.

Red Bull Street Style U.S. Finals

February 20th 4:00 p.m.

Center Stage – 1374 W Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta

Free event open to the public; all ages welcome

Soccer in Atlanta has a [...]]]> In Greek mythology after a long life the phoenix would erupt into flames and out of the ashes a young phoenix would arise.  It’s easy to see why after General Sherman burnt Atlanta to the ground the city would adopt that symbol and the motto “Resurgens” meaning Rising Again.

Soccer in Atlanta has a long history as well.  Unlike the phoenix there has never been a long life to any of the teams or leagues.  From the inception of the original NASL back in 1968, when the Atlanta Chiefs won the first championship, to the new proposed NASL.   From the coming and going of the Beat to their rebirth that is still in process. Yet here we are once again in the midst of a resurgence.

This time last year we were reeling from word by the Silverbacks organization that the men’s team would sit out the 2009 season.   In December of 2008 came the crushing blow that Arthur Blank’s AMB Group had withdrawn their bid for a MLS franchise due to the economic conditions and lack of progress on the stadium front.  The only glimmer of hope for professional soccer was the letter of intent that Fitz Johnson had submitted to WPS.  Yet even that was under a cloud as the economy feel to a dept that not many expected and people wondered if the new women’s league would meet the same fate as the previous one.

Step forward a year and we still don’t have MLS and have started to accept the fact that we won’t for the next several years, if ever.  There are 2 potential teams that could play in the Men’s 2^nd Division league.  However, at this point in the year it would be nearly impossible to put together a team that could play, much less compete, in 2010.  Unless it’s a necessity to meet USSF regulations I seriously doubt a team will be fielded.

But 2009 did have some highlights that can’t go unmentioned.   We had an outstanding summer of soccer with the likes of AC Milan, Club America, Mexico, and the Venezuelan National Team playing at the Georgia Dome.  We had the Beat begin to put together a young, talented team.  The Beat also announced a partnership with Kennesaw State University who is building a women’s soccer specific stadium.   

So, the Beat’s back. The Silverbacks are kinda back. The Blackhawks should be back.  The new USL team may arrive if the USL can make a comeback.  Who will stay?  Who will go? Only time will tell.  Let’s hope that as the rebirth of these teams takes place that they’ll be stronger and live longer than before.