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Silverbacks 2005 TV debut

June 23, 2005 - USL First Division (USL-1) - Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The Atlanta Silverbacks will play their next contest before a national television audience when they visit the Virginia Beach Mariners this Friday, June 24, with the match broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel at 8:00 pm. The gorillas are looking to start a winning streak after last weekend's 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Silverbacks will face the Mariners twice this weekend, with a return leg against the white-and-blue on Saturday in Atlanta.

Atlanta (4 wins - 3 draws - 5 losses, 15 points) is currently in 9th place in the ever-changing USL First Division standings. Only five points separate the 2nd and 9th place teams, but a large disparity remains between the teams in the number of matches played. The Silverbacks will be facing the Mariners for the second time this season, the first a 2-0 victory for the Red-and-Black at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, courtesy of a brace by Jamaican international Fabian Dawkins. The apes are looking for their second win in as many games under the new leadership of Head Coach Jason Smith.

Virginia Beach (1-4-8, 7 points) will be playing their first match in three weeks. Their last result was a 2-1 home loss against the resurgent Seattle Sounders. Although the Mariners have only tallied one win so far in 2005, they are a dangerous team, led by forwards Darren Casky and David Castellanos with four goals each. Goalkeeper Matthew Nelson leads the league in minutes played (1170) and is 10th with 27 saves.

The Atlanta Silverbacks Women will be in action this weekend as well, when they host the Carolina Dynamo Women. Atlanta (6-0-1, 18 points) trails the Atlantic Division-leading Central Florida Krush by only three points. The gorillas are coming off a tough 3-2 win over the Richmond Kickers Destiny and will face Carolina for the second and final time this regular season. The Red-and-Black crushed the Dynamo 5-0 in their first encounter in Greensboro, North Carolina. The blue-and-red (1-1-5, 4 points) lie in 6th-place in the division, their only victory so far a season-opening 2-0 decision over the Bradenton Athletics. The Atlanta women will have their own TV debut next Saturday, July 1 at 8:00 pm on Fox Soccer Channel, for an away match-up against the Charlotte Lady Eagles.

The Silverbacks men will kick-off Saturday's double-header at DeKalb Memorial Stadium at 5:30 pm and will be immediately followed by the Silverbacks Women at 8:00 pm. Game tickets are good for both matches. For more information on Atlanta's professional soccer club, please visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

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