Silverbacks Learn Open Cup 3rd Round Opponent

Published on May 14, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Silverbacks know what comes next.

Sort of.

The U.S. Soccer Federation completed the draw for the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Thursday in Chicago, laying the foundation for the North American Soccer League's entry into the 91-team domestic tournament. The Silverbacks, drawn as visitors in the third round, will visit the winner of Chattanooga FC (NPSL) and the Wilmington Hammerheads' (USL) second round meeting. Chattanooga FC advanced through the first round on Wednesday night by way of a 5-3 penalty shootout after the match ended in a 1-all knot through extra time.

"The Open Cup is a tournament that we, as a Club, value," Silverbacks head coach Gary Smith said. "It's a competition that we've done very well in, throughout our history, and its something that everyone - from the front office to the players - takes seriously. We are eager to see how the tournament progresses through the second round before we enter later this month."

In the 2014 Open Cup, Atlanta visited Chattanooga and advanced via a 5-0 scoreline. The Silverbacks' historic run extended with victories over Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake (2-1, fourth round) and Colorado Rapids (2-1, fifth round). Atlanta fell in the quarterfinals against Chicago Fire (3-1), but not before joining the Carolina RailHawks as the only two NASL teams to advance that far.

The Silverbacks enter the third round on May 27, traveling to either Wilmington, N.C., or Chattanooga, Tenn. Should Atlanta advance beyond the third round, the fourth round - when MLS teams enter play - draw will be held on May 21.

In League play, the Silverbacks host Jacksonville Armada FC on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ESPN3), presented by the Georgia State Soccer Association.

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