Atlanta Aims to #SinkJAX Today

Published on May 16, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - A brand new NASL series begins for the Atlanta Silverbacks as they return to Silverbacks Park to challenge second-place Jacksonville Armada FC on a weekend in which the entirety of the Spring Season table's top six will face off in some form. Atlanta's first home game after two consecutive road fixtures will kick off at 7:30 p.m. against the first-year expansion side.

Head coach Gary Smith and the Silverbacks (1-4-1, 7 points) will head into the first matchup between the pristine border rivals level on points in fourth place with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, which travel to Tampa Bay this weekend. Atlanta returns to Silverbacks Park action following a two-game road stretch that brought a tough road point against the Strikers and a tight, one-goal loss to Minnesota United, the Silverbacks' first since the 2014 finale.

Prepare for Atlanta's Week 7 game against Jacksonville - presented by Georgia State Soccer Association - with this week's edition of Kickabout.

Atlanta Silverbacks (1-4-1, 7 points) vs. Jacksonville Armada FC (3-0-2, 9 points)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Silverbacks Park (Tickets)

Watch live: ESPN3

Silverbacks mark #ATLvJAX prep with local appearances

Silverbacks players honored this week's commitment to building the youth game by hosting a skills clinic at Georgia Rush Soccer Club and signing autographs at Dacula Soccer's Rabbit Hill Park. Along with the appearances at local youth soccer organizations, the Silverbacks street team stopped by Wednesday's Food Truck Round Up at Blackburn Park to surprise some lucky guests with giveaways and raffle opportunities. Keep an eye out for the Silverbacks street team to pop up at various events across the metro Atlanta area as the 2015 season continues.

Open Cup draw gives Atlanta potential opening matchups

After last season's quarterfinal run in the U.S. Open cup, Atlanta had added intrigue to this week's third round draw, which gave NASL clubs their potential opponents for opening the competition. Aiming to recapture the form that saw them beat two MLS sides before falling in the final eight, the Silverbacks will begin the 2015 Open Cup on the road, playing the winner between Chattanooga FC and the Wilmington Hammerheads. Atlanta will enter the competition Wednesday, May 27.

Atlanta vs. Jacksonville Connections

Although this is the inaugural meeting between these clubs, it's not the first time the cities of Jacksonville and Atlanta have squared off in NASL competition. The Atlanta Chiefs played their final NASL season in 1981, and it was the Jacksonville Tea Men, a second-year franchise at that point, which knocked Atlanta out of the first round of the NASL playoffs in extra time.

Silverbacks midfielder Jon Okafor and Armada FC defender Joseph Toby played together last season for Arizona United SC in USL before moving to their respective NASL clubs.

Atlanta's Hans Denissen and Jacksonville's Jemal Johnson spent last year with the New York Cosmos, but neither found consistent fitness in the Big Apple.

Two players with Haiti national team experience - Atlanta goalkeeper Steward Ceus and Jacksonville midfielder Pascal Millien - and could potentially be international teammates later this year during the Gold Cup. Ceus has earned seven career caps and was set to rejoin the team this year before a preseason knee injury derailed his plans. Millien, who played with the Silverbacks reserve squad in 2008, has more than 20 Les Grenadiers caps to his name.

Elsewhere in Week 7

Saturday, May 16

Carolina RailHawks vs. New York Cosmos - 7:30 p.m.

Indy Eleven vs. Minnesota United FC - 7:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers - 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 17

FC Edmonton vs. San Antonio Scorpions

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 16, 2015


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