Atlanta Silverbacks
Encyclopedia
Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia
, United States
. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership "assessed the soccer landscape" eventually announcing their intention to return to professional competition in 2010.
The team plays its home games at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, a soccer-specific stadium
in Chamblee, Georgia
, 15 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta
. The team's colors are red and black. The team's head coach is Alex Pineda Chacón
, a former player and assistant coach under José Manuel Abundis.
The team has a development team, Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves, which plays in the National Premier Soccer League
, and a sister organization, the Atlanta Silverbacks Women
, which plays in the women's USL W-League. They also used to have a USL PDL
affiliate, Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
, which ceased operations at the same time as the old USL-1 club.
In November 2009 the Silverbacks announced their intent to leave the USL First Division to become the co-founders of a new North American Soccer League
, which would begin play in 2010. The league, which has yet to be sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation or the Canadian Soccer Association, would also comprise the Carolina RailHawks
, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC
, Minnesota Thunder
, Montreal Impact
, FC Tampa Bay, Vancouver Whitecaps and a brand new team led by St. Louis Soccer United. However the NASL was not sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation and the Silverbacks did not play during 2010.
On November 20, 2010, USSF sanctioned the NASL
and the Atlanta Silverbacks immediately re-joined for the 2011 season.
heading a soccer ball beneath the corporate wordmark. The club's name was inspired Willie B.
, a gorilla who was a main attraction of Zoo Atlanta
until his death in February 2000.
The Silverbacks play their home games at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, a 5,000-seater soccer specific stadium built in 2006 for use specifically by the team. In addition to the main stadium, the complex features several international size practice fields, a club house, pool and fitness center. Over the years the stadium has gone by a variety of sponsorship names, including ReMax Greater Atlanta Stadium.
Prior to the 2006 season the Silverbacks played at various municipal stadiums in the Greater Atlanta area, most notably DeKalb Memorial Stadium
in Clarkston
.
- Chairman John Latham - Vice-Chairman Michael Oki - President Rodrigo Rios
- Director of Soccer Alex Pineda Chacón
- Head Coach
Jeff Cassar
Alex Pineda Chacón
John Doyle Justin Fashanu
Liam George
Macoumba Kandji
Tim Martin
Shaun McSkimming
Bruce Murray
John Barry Nusum
Bo Oshoniyi
Rodrigo Ríos
Brent Sancho
Staale Soebye Lenin Steenkamp
Antonio de la Torre
Velko Yotov
(1995) Charlie Morgan (1996) Angus McAlpine (1997) David Eristavi (1997–1998) Chris Hellenkamp
(1998) (Interim) Nuno Piteira (1999) David Vaudreuil
(2003–2004) Jason Smith
(2005–2008) José Manuel Abundis (2011) Alex Pineda Chacón
(2011-present)
* -as co-champion
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership "assessed the soccer landscape" eventually announcing their intention to return to professional competition in 2010.
The team plays its home games at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, a soccer-specific stadium
Soccer-specific stadium
Soccer-specific stadium is a term used mainly in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Korea coined by Lamar Hunt, to refer to a sports stadium either purpose built or fundamentally redesigned for soccer and whose primary function is to host soccer matches, as opposed to a multipurpose...
in Chamblee, Georgia
Chamblee, Georgia
As of the 2010 Census Chamblee had a population of 9,892. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 45.0% white , 7.0% black or African American , 2.1% Native American , 1.8% Vietnamese, 1.6% Asian Indian, 4.6% other Asian, 33.5% from some other race and...
, 15 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. The team's colors are red and black. The team's head coach is Alex Pineda Chacón
Alex Pineda Chacón
Alex Pineda Chacón is a former footballer who is currently the head coach of Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Club career:...
, a former player and assistant coach under José Manuel Abundis.
The team has a development team, Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves, which plays in the National Premier Soccer League
National Premier Soccer League
The National Premier Soccer League is a United States soccer league recognized by the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA as a Division IV league...
, and a sister organization, the Atlanta Silverbacks Women
Atlanta Silverbacks Women
Atlanta Silverbacks Women is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2007. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada...
, which plays in the women's USL W-League. They also used to have a USL PDL
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
affiliate, Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Silverbacks U23's
Atlanta Blackhawks was an American soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 2009, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
, which ceased operations at the same time as the old USL-1 club.
History
The franchise began as the Atlanta Ruckus in 1995 and played in the A-League. The club was re-named the Silverbacks in 1998, after a change in ownership.In November 2009 the Silverbacks announced their intent to leave the USL First Division to become the co-founders of a new North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
, which would begin play in 2010. The league, which has yet to be sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation or the Canadian Soccer Association, would also comprise the Carolina RailHawks
Carolina RailHawks FC
Carolina RailHawks FC is an American professional soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC
Miami FC
Fort Lauderdale Strikers is an American professional association football team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
, Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
, FC Tampa Bay, Vancouver Whitecaps and a brand new team led by St. Louis Soccer United. However the NASL was not sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation and the Silverbacks did not play during 2010.
On November 20, 2010, USSF sanctioned the NASL
North American Soccer League (2010)
The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...
and the Atlanta Silverbacks immediately re-joined for the 2011 season.
Colors and badge
The Silverbacks official colors are red, black and white, and the club logo features three colors prominently, along with a stylized depiction of a silverback gorillaSilverback Gorilla
Silverback Gorilla is the third studio album by rapper Sheek Louch. Its first single is "Good Love", produced by Red Spyda. The video is already out and has been shown on BET's "Rap City" and MTV Jams. The second single is set to be "Keep Pushin. The guest list for the album is Jadakiss, Styles P,...
heading a soccer ball beneath the corporate wordmark. The club's name was inspired Willie B.
Willie B.
Willie B. was a silverback Gorilla who lived at Zoo Atlanta for 39 years, from 1961 until his death in February of 2000. When he died at the age of 41, he was the oldest Gorilla in the United States to have fathered offspring....
, a gorilla who was a main attraction of Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1889, the Zoo is Atlanta’s oldest cultural destination and is one of the oldest continuously operating zoological institutions in the United States.Zoo Atlanta houses over 1,300 animals...
until his death in February 2000.
Stadium
- DeKalb Memorial StadiumDeKalb Memorial StadiumJames R. Hallford Stadium is a football stadium in Clarkston, Georgia. It was the home stadium of Georgia Generals of the American Soccer League and Atlanta Silverbacks of the A-League until they moved to the RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium in 2004. The stadium holds 15,000 spectators and is...
; Clarkston, GeorgiaClarkston, GeorgiaClarkston is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 7,554 at the 2010 census. The city is home to the central campus of Georgia Perimeter College....
(2003-2005) - Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Chamblee, GeorgiaChamblee, GeorgiaAs of the 2010 Census Chamblee had a population of 9,892. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 45.0% white , 7.0% black or African American , 2.1% Native American , 1.8% Vietnamese, 1.6% Asian Indian, 4.6% other Asian, 33.5% from some other race and...
(2006-present)
The Silverbacks play their home games at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, a 5,000-seater soccer specific stadium built in 2006 for use specifically by the team. In addition to the main stadium, the complex features several international size practice fields, a club house, pool and fitness center. Over the years the stadium has gone by a variety of sponsorship names, including ReMax Greater Atlanta Stadium.
Prior to the 2006 season the Silverbacks played at various municipal stadiums in the Greater Atlanta area, most notably DeKalb Memorial Stadium
DeKalb Memorial Stadium
James R. Hallford Stadium is a football stadium in Clarkston, Georgia. It was the home stadium of Georgia Generals of the American Soccer League and Atlanta Silverbacks of the A-League until they moved to the RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium in 2004. The stadium holds 15,000 spectators and is...
in Clarkston
Clarkston, Georgia
Clarkston is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 7,554 at the 2010 census. The city is home to the central campus of Georgia Perimeter College....
.
Club culture
Westside 109, ATL Dirty Squad, and Eastside 309 are the unofficial supporters groups for the Silverbacks. They reside in sections 109 and 309 at Silverbacks Park.Current roster
As of November 12, 2011Staff
Boris JerkunicaBoris Jerkunica
Boris M. Jerkunica is a native of Croatia who lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and young daughter. He has founded or co-founded several companies including Software Builders International, NetZIP and ZivVa/Vocalocity...
- Chairman John Latham - Vice-Chairman Michael Oki - President Rodrigo Rios
Rodrigo Ríos
Rodrigo Ríos is a former Chilean football midfielder now serving as Director of Soccer for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the second division North American Soccer League.-Club career:...
- Director of Soccer Alex Pineda Chacón
Alex Pineda Chacón
Alex Pineda Chacón is a former footballer who is currently the head coach of Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Club career:...
- Head Coach
- TBA - Assistant Coach José Pinho - Goalkeeper Coach Juan Castellanos - Fitness Coach
Notable former players
This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.Jeff Cassar
Jeff Cassar
Jeff Cassar is a retired American soccer goalkeeper, who last played for FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. He is now the Real Salt Lake goalkeeper coach following his retirement from active play....
Alex Pineda Chacón
Alex Pineda Chacón
Alex Pineda Chacón is a former footballer who is currently the head coach of Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Club career:...
John Doyle Justin Fashanu
Justin Fashanu
Justinus Soni "Justin" Fashanu was an English footballer who played for a variety of clubs between 1978 and 1997. He was known by his early clubs to be homosexual, and came out to the press later in his career, to become the first professional footballer to be openly gay...
Liam George
Liam George
Liam Brendan George is an English-born Irish footballer, who represented Ireland in the Under 18 European Youth Championship, and who is currently playing for Hitchin Town on a part-time basis, having signed for them in December 2008.Liam's family originates from Saint Lucia and Church Street,...
Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Early Life and College:Kandji was born in Senegal, raised in The Gambia, and came to the United States in 2003...
Tim Martin
Tim Martin (soccer)
Tim Martin is a former American soccer defender. Over his twelve year professional career, he played with numerous teams in six leagues, winning the 1994 U.S. Open Cup with the San Francisco Greek-Americans and the 1991 American Professional Soccer League title with the San Francisco Bay...
Shaun McSkimming
Shaun McSkimming
Shaun McSkimming is a Scottish former footballer who played as a midfielder. McSkimming began his career with Dundee in 1987 and managed over twenty league appearances during his four years at Dens Park...
Bruce Murray
John Barry Nusum
John Barry Nusum
John Barry Nusum is an American-born Bermudian soccer player who currently plays for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the USSF Second Division.-College:...
Bo Oshoniyi
Bo Oshoniyi
Adegboyega "Bo" Oshoniyi is an American soccer goalkeeper who last played for the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer.- Career :...
Rodrigo Ríos
Rodrigo Ríos
Rodrigo Ríos is a former Chilean football midfielder now serving as Director of Soccer for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the second division North American Soccer League.-Club career:...
Brent Sancho
Brent Sancho
Brent Sancho is a Trinidadian soccer player who currently plays for Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division.-College:Sancho spent his college years playing for St...
Staale Soebye Lenin Steenkamp
Lenin Steenkamp
Lenin Steenkamp is a retired South African football player who spent his entire career in the United States.-College:...
Antonio de la Torre
Antonio de la Torre
Antonio de la Torre is a Mexican-American soccer defender, who recently played for the Atlanta Silverbacks of the USL First Division. De la Torre holds dual citizenship in Mexico and the United States....
Velko Yotov
Velko Yotov
Velko Nikolaev Yotov was a Bulgarian football player. He was part of the Bulgarian national team that reached the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup. After coming through the ranks in Levski Sofia he moved to Botev Plovdiv and then sold to Espanyol and helped them win Segunda Division with his...
- See also All-time Atlanta Silverbacks rosterAll-time Atlanta Silverbacks rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for the Atlanta Silverbacks from the time the USL began keeping archived records in 2003, until the team's last competitive season in 2008, and from 2011 to present time in the NASL...
Head coaches
Lothar OsianderLothar Osiander
Lothar Osiander is a U.S.-German soccer coach who has served as head coach to the U.S. national and Olympic teams as well as the Atlanta Ruckus, Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Clash....
(1995) Charlie Morgan (1996) Angus McAlpine (1997) David Eristavi (1997–1998) Chris Hellenkamp
Chris Hellenkamp
Chris Hellenkamp is a retired American soccer midfielder who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.Hellenkamp attended Seattle Pacific University where he played on the men's soccer team in 1979 and 1980...
(1998) (Interim) Nuno Piteira (1999) David Vaudreuil
David Vaudreuil
David Vaudreuil is a retired U.S. soccer player whose career spanned fifteen teams in over six leagues including seven seasons in Major League Soccer...
(2003–2004) Jason Smith
Jason Smith (soccer)
Jason Smith is an American soccer coach and former player. He currently coached the Atlanta Silverbacks of the USL First Division.-Player:...
(2005–2008) José Manuel Abundis (2011) Alex Pineda Chacón
Alex Pineda Chacón
Alex Pineda Chacón is a former footballer who is currently the head coach of Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Club career:...
(2011-present)
Achievements
- A-LeagueA-League (1995–2004)The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
- Runner-up (Playoffs) (1): 1995
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
- Runner-up (Playoffs) (1): 2007
- Minor Trophies
- Southern DerbySouthern DerbyThe Southern Derby is a fan-based cup competition between USL Pro teams based in the South-Atlantic region of the United States ....
(4): 2002, 2004, 2005*, 2006
- Southern Derby
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup | Avg. Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 | A-League | 4th | Finalist | 2nd Round | 2,632 | ||||
| 1996 | 2 | A-League | 7th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4,315 | ||||
| 1997 | 2 | USISL A-League | 7th, Central | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2,406 | ||||
| 1998 | 2 | USISL A-League | 6th, Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 923 | ||||
| 1999 | 2 | USL A-League | 5th, Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2,703 | ||||
| 2000 | 2 | USL A-League | 6th, Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 3,327 | ||||
| 2001 | 2 | USL A-League | 5th, Central | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 1,094 | ||||
| 2002 | 2 | USL A-League | 3rd, Southeast | 1st Round | 3rd Round | 1,006 | ||||
| 2003 | 2 | USL A-League | 5th, Southeast | Did not qualify | 3rd Round | 1,200 | ||||
| 2004 | 2 | USL A-League | 5th, Eastern | Did not qualify | 4th Round | 1,662 | ||||
| 2005 | 2 | USL First Division | 8th | Did not qualify | 3rd Round | 1,724 | ||||
| 2006 | 2 | USL First Division | 8th | Did not qualify | 3rd Round | 2,298 | ||||
| 2007 | 2 | USL First Division | 4th | Runner-up | 3rd Round | 2,372 | ||||
| 2008 | 2 | USL First Division | 9th | Did not qualify | 2nd Round | 2,281 | ||||
| 2009 | On Hiatus | |||||||||
| 2010 | On Hiatus | |||||||||
| 2011 | 2 | NASL | 8th | Did not qualify | Denied entry | |||||
External links
- Westside 109 Website (Silverback Supporters)
- http://flickr.com/photos/curt/sets/72157594207046359/Photos of a 2006 match versus the Portland TimbersPortland Timbers (USL)Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
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