Sports stats



Ati, Garcia Become Latest Silverbacks Roster Additions

February 27, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, Ga. (February 27, 2014) - Adding to an already eventful week of player signings, the Atlanta Silverbacks announced the addition of two more players on Thursday. Goalkeeper Eric Ati and defender Mitch Garcia both agreed to terms with the club this week, pending league and USSF approval.

Ati, who first signed with the Silverbacks in late 2011, returns to the club as one of its longest-tenured players. The 25-year-old goalkeeper has made 10 league appearances for the club, starting nine and posting three clean sheets. Ati shut out the Carolina RailHawks and San Antonio Scorpions on consecutive weeks last May.

Born in Douala, Cameroon, Ati grew up in nearby Lawrenceville, playing at Grayson High School and Southern Polytechnic State University. He is a product of the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves, with whom he played for most of the 2011 season before eventually signing a contract with the first team late in the season.

"It's great to have Eric back for another season with the club," said Silverbacks President & General Manager Andy Smith. "He is a tremendously talented and athletic goalkeeper, and he will provide our team with some much-needed experience and veteran leadership."

Garcia joins the Silverbacks after impressing the Silverbacks technical staff this offseason. The 5-foot-10 defender most recently played with the Vermont Voltage of the PDL, but he has experience training abroad. Garcia spent nearly two months training with Polish side Puszcza Niepolomice and one month training with Serbian side FK Cukaricki.

A product of Grand Canyon University in his home state of Arizona, Garcia was named first-team all conference in his junior and senior seasons. After his collegiate career came to a close, he signed with the Arizona Storm, a professional indoor team that competed in the PASL. The 24-year-old outside back recently played with Eric Wynalda's Cal FC team in an amateur tournament in Las Vegas, impressing him enough to earn a contract with the Silverbacks.

Garcia and Ati will join the rest of their Silverbacks teammates for the start of preseason training camp this Saturday in Atlanta. The Silverbacks kick off the 2014 NASL season on the road against the New York Cosmos on April 13. To purchase tickets for the 2014 season, call the Silverbacks Ticket Office at 404-969-4900.

• Discuss this story on the North American Soccer League message board...

North American Soccer League Stories from February 27, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Atlanta Silverbacks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central