Future Stars win Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League

Published on October 17, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The second-annual Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League brought to you by McDonalds wrapped up this weekend as Future Stars Premier took home the title of champion and the corresponding $15,000 in prize money. Future Stars handed Real Tapatio a decisive 5-2 loss in the final match that took place on Saturday night. Despite losing the game, Real Tapatio walked away with $5,000 in prize money. Pozahualco, a newcomer to the Champions League, won $2,500 after beating Super Estrella on penalty kicks in the consolation match for third place. And the remaining $2,500 in prize money went to Georgia Metro Soccer Association for being the home league of the champions.

The match between Future Stars and Real Tapatio began as an intense, evenly matched game. Future Stars opened scoring in the 40th minute and then doubled their lead just one minute later. Real Tapatio put one goal in before the end of the half and the teams left the field with a 2-1 advantage to Future Stars. The second half was all Future Stars with Michael Mecerod leading the charge. Mecerod scored three goals for the Future Stars during the second half (in addition to one in the first) taking their goals to five for the night. Real Tapatio finished a penalty kick in the 62nd minute but the Liga Lawrenceville team was unable to mount a substantial comeback. The game ended 5-2 to the Future Stars. Mecerod was awarded Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League MVP honors for his efforts throughout the tournament, he was a part of all five of his team's goals in the final match with four goals and one assist.

The consolation match for third place took place earlier in the evening between Pozahualco and Super Estrella. The two teams gave fans an exciting match with lots of goals that took two 15-minute overtime periods and penalty kicks to determine a winner. Super Estrella opened scoring in the 4th minute but their lead wouldn't hold for long, Pozahualco answered ten minutes later. Then in the 22nd minute, Super Estrella took their second lead, and yet again, Pozahualco answered just minutes later. The teams went into the half with a 2-2 tie. Both teams put one more goal in the net in the second half and took the game into overtime with a 3-3 score. The two overtime periods were enough time for both teams to score again and the extra time ended in a 4-4 tie, leaving the game to penalty kicks. Pozahualco pulled off the win during the penalty kicks and took home third place.

The festive evening drew hundreds of fans to RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium who each received an official 2006 Champions League t-shirt. The Silverbacks also treated fans to a fireworks show between the two matches.

The Atlanta Silverbacks Champions League brought to you by McDonalds, Cingular Wireless, Western Union, Best Mexico, Infinity Insurance, Frito Lay, Mundo Hispanico, and Viva 105.7, aims to offer the best teams in Atlanta amateur soccer the opportunity and venue to compete against each other. The Champions League, the first of its kind in Atlanta, has been very successful in its second season, drawing the top local competition and large crowds to Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

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USL First Division Stories from October 17, 2006


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