Atlanta's Pro Soccer Team Returning to Field

After a two-year hiatus, the Atlanta Silverbacks are making a comeback.

The team plays near Spaghetti Junction off Hillcrest Road, just south of Norcross. The stadium, which can hold 5,000 fans, buzzed on a recent Friday as players from all over the world attended a combine, or tryout, for the 2011 team. Patch sat down with Director of Soccer Rodrigo Rios before the recent tryout (See video). 

Major League Soccer, or MLS, is the biggest soccer league in the United States. The Silverbacks are part of the North American Soccer League, the second largest league, which was sanctioned this season, bringing the team back into the fold. 

The Silverbacks played from 1998 to 2008 in the USL or United Soccer Leagues, but sat out two seasons because they didn’t like the direction of the league, according to representative Neal Malone.

Striker Matt North, defensive midfielder Shane Moroney, Japanese outside back Kohei Matsushita and Swiss defender Matthias Schnorf have already signed to the team.

The new coaching is staff is full of star power. The Head Coach Jose Manuel Abundis played for the Mexico National Team and the assistant coach Alex Pineda Chacon was the MVP for Major League Soccer in 2001. Chacon said he was on the lookout for young players that can “compete on the next level.”

After the combine, 22-year-old midfielder Fernando Gonzalez also signed on to the Silverbacks. A recent graduate of the University of South Florida, Gonzalez was on Puerto Rico’s National Team Under-21 Team Pool in 2010. 

Many international hopefuls bought their own tickets to attend the tryout. Thaigo Souza said he came from Brazil because he said he wanted to go after his dream. He said he is excited about the explosive growth of soccer in the United States, and the potential it could bring to play at the top level. 

“We really want to make the games an overall experience,” said Malone.  He said they plan to have 3-on-3 tournaments before the home games begin, getting fans on the field and having fun. Rec leagues will continue to play at the stadium and the organization plans to host soccer clinics for kids and other community events.

Home games are usually played on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Check the team's website for more information and for tickets. 

They say their goal is within sight. They don't need 20.000 or 30,000 people to buy tickets. They just want to sell out every game in their 5,000-fan stadium and create a healthy buzz with locals.