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Silverbacks Set to Kickoff Preseason Today

March 7, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA--More than a full week into preseason training, steady progress has defined head coach Gary Smith's efforts in preparing the Silverbacks for the impending NASL spring season.

Smith's Atlanta squad faces its first outside test of the preseason Saturday, meeting Georgia Southern and Georgia State in exhibitions to cap a taxing week of double sessions. Admission to the friendly is free.

"Gary's putting across the way he wants to play," said defender Simon Mensing. "All the boys are doing well, coming on board and looking good doing that. We're progressing every day.

Scrimmage sizes grew as the week progressed, and the team went through their first full-sided action Friday afternoon in the stadium ahead of Saturday's exhibitions. Smith wasn't afraid to stop the action for teachable moments, but the 11-versus-11 action was a sign of how much the team has advanced since training kicked off Feb. 27.

"They've settled into the routine of things very well," Smith said. "We're starting to see the benefits of that."

Kyle Porter trains ahead of preseason opener

The Silverbacks' biggest administrative news came Wednesday via the announcement that Canadian international Kyle Porter would sign with Atlanta. After two years in MLS with DC United, the 25-year-old forward made the midweek journey to Atlanta, hitting the ground running Thursday and hardly showing any signs of travel fatigue in his new city.

Though he's primarily considered a winger, the quick and technically-sound Porter is capable of moving infield to affect play, often looking to link up with striker Matt Horth in short-sided scrimmages Thursday.

"So far everything's a positive," Porter said. "I like to stay confident in myself and believe in my abilities. I know how to play the game so it's just me being comfortable out there."

Atlanta is Porter's second NASL stint, following two seasons with FC Edmonton from 2011-12, where he scored 12 goals. This time around, he's hoping to make an even bigger impact in the league.

"I want to push myself along with everyone out there," Porter said. "I want to be more vocal and have a leadership role here."

Reed makes quick impression

Another part of the most recent batch of signings, central midfielder Michael Reed joined the team not long after preseason began, and the 27-year-old has already impressed in his new surroundings.

Joining defensive midfielder Dominic Oppong in the middle of the pitch, Reed's versatility anchors the midfield while helping transition into attacks. Along with the talent Reed brings as a player, he's taken an early leadership role, encouraging potential starters and trialists alike during the team's training sessions and workouts.

"He's a terrific lad," Smith said. "He's got an absolutely wonderful attitude, and athletically he looks in wonderful condition."

Reed's box-to-box skills and vocal leadership shone this week, but he also credited his new Atlanta teammates for the fast adaptation.

"The guys welcomed me with open arms," Reed said. "it's just me getting used to playing with the guys and creating a team chemistry where we feel it out."

Defense coming into focus

Much of Atlanta's practical work has focused on defensive facets of the game, like shape and pressing. Because Edgar Espinoza is the lone returning defender, the back four's rebuilding process needs a lot of attention to fine-tune structure and communication.

"If we're organized, we're going to be hard to break down and obviously hard to beat," said Mensing, an imposing 6-foot-2 center back who signed with the club in January.

Talking on the field -- especially between goalkeeper Steward Ceus and the back four -- has increased exponentially as the Silverbacks grow more familiar with each other and with Smith's defensive strategy.

"Ceus talks a lot, which is important," Mensing said. "That's what we need to try to have. Not just Steward and myself and the back four, but the whole team talking all over."

From simple passing warm-ups to larger scrimmages, players are encouraged to talk to each other -- whether it's calling out names or alerting teammates of an opponent's presence. It may seem an elementary concept, but it will make a ton of difference for the developing squad once the whistle blows for game action.

"If you're talking to the man in front of you and man beside you, they're doing their job and talking to someone else who's doing their job," Mensing said. "It's a following effect. It makes everyone's job easier, so we have to make sure everybody's doing it."

Mensing, 32, has emerged as an veteran leader for others, including new right back Kyle Miller, to lean on during preseason.

"I'm looking forward to playing alongside Simon," Miller said. "He has a lot a lot of experience and can teach me some new things as well."

Elsewhere in defense, English left back Paul Black also brings an interesting skill-set to the table, threatening down the flank from his full-back post. He delivered a few nice crosses during scrimmage work, and he'll be a player to watch in the coming friendlies.

Lineups: In modified exhibition periods against both universities, Smith will have plenty of opportunity to tinker with lineups and combinations. Expect changes early and often: Without the regular season's strict limit on substitutions, Smith can see what works, fix what doesn't and test out nearly anything that intrigues him. Teams always want to win every time they step on the field, but Saturday experimental possibilities are even more important.

Communication: No matter who the Silverbacks are playing, friendlies give the five returning players and the new signings a game-like environment to test the rapport Smith emphasized. Many strides have been made in building the connection between teammates, and the Silverbacks have already increased the on-field talking that's required to organize a team over the course of the first week of the season. With a group as new as this, the squad's interaction in their first Atlanta gameplay will indicate just how successful their relationship-building has been thus far.

Fitness: As much as Smith and his staff have stressed fitness thus far in training, it has to be on his mind as the team takes the field for the first time against someone else. "It's about dealing with the ball when your legs are fatigued," said Reed, who's no stranger to the physical requirements of NASL. Two- and three-a-days have tested the team; it's time to see the progress report on how effective the sessions have been, especially facing college players eager to physically prove themselves against professional counterparts.

HE SAID IT: Quote of the Week

"In all honesty, I think Kyle is one of the most exciting additions that we've added to the group this offseason. He's quick, he's powerful and he is a very talented player. Individually, he's capable of producing excellence on the ball in 1-versus-1 situations and he has an extraordinary eye for goal at this level. Talent-wise, he's certainly in the top-10 in this league on an individual level. For forwards and the creative-type players like him, it's all about productivity: Goals. And assists. He brings the ability to produce those special moments in Atlanta."

- Silverbacks first-year head coach Gary Smith on new signing Kyle Porter

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