ATLANTA SILVERBACKS SIGN FIVE

Published on March 21, 2002 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA (March 21, 2002) – The Atlanta Silverbacks announced today that Head Coach Brett Mosen has secured five more spots on the 2002 roster. The list includes former San Diego Flash midfielder Nate Hetherington, territorial draft pick from Appalachian State University Jordy Broder, former Nashville Metros goalkeeper Cole Burgman and midfielder Steve Kraemer, and defender Byron Mitchell, most recently of the Cleveland Crunch of the MISL.

Nate Hetherington joins the Silverbacks after spending four years on the west coast with the San Diego Flash. He was the 2000 team MVP and finished the 2001 season second in goals scored with 7, assists with 7 and points with 21. An experienced playmaker, Hetherington helped lead the Flash to a first round playoff series victory over the Silverbacks with an aggregate score of 4-2.

Jordy Broder will begin his professional career with the Silverbacks after a standout collegiate career at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. A third-round territorial draft pick for the Silverbacks, Broder is a native of Dunwoody, Ga. He finished his career third in both goals scored with 49 and career points with 117. Broder also helped lead the Cocoa Expos of the Premier Development League (PDL) to a Southeast Division title in 2001.

Cole Burgman and Steve Kraemer follow Coach Mosen to Atlanta from the former Nashville Metros franchise. Burgman was the Metros starting netminder and helped lead the team to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. A veteran midfielder, Kraemer is entering his 7th season in the A-League after playing in 21 games for the Metros in 2001. He has had stints with the Hampton Roads Mariners, the Albuquerque Geckos and the Lincoln Brigade of the PDL.

Byron Mitchell has spent most of his professional career in the Major Indoor Soccer League, most recently with the Cleveland Crunch. He played the 1999 season with the Hampton Roads Mariners and is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Virginia.

Coach Mosen comments on the addition of these five players, "Broder is an exciting player who achieved great success at the college level, and I know with the experience we have within the squad Jordy will settle into the professional game quickly. I am pleased to have Kraemer and Burgman back with me, Mitchell is a hard-nosed defender who will frustrate opposing forwards, and Hetherington comes to us after a strong season with San Diego. The squad is coming together nicely."

The Atlanta Silverbacks home opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th at 6:00 p.m. against the Indiana Blast. For tickets or more information on Atlanta's A-League men's professional soccer team please call (770) 248-0492 or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

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