U.S. U-17 88\'s Men's National Soccer Team returns to Florida after facing Silverbacks

Published on September 15, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The U.S. U-17 88's Men's National Soccer Team, in town to avoid Hurricane Ivan, took on the Atlanta Silverbacks 86/87 Reds (U-18) at Atlanta Silverbacks Park Monday night. Originally scheduled to play the Atlanta Silverbacks U-17 PDP team, the U.S. Coach John Hackworth requested the Silverbacks put together a team of slightly older players in an attempt to replicate upcoming opponents for the U-17 National Team. The Atlanta Silverbacks responded with the Atlanta Silverbacks 86/87 Reds (U-18) coached by Rocky Harmon and Nuno Piteira.

The game started with each team having plenty to prove – the National team squad hoping to impress their coach after only one full week of training, the Silverbacks wanting to show they are one the premiere youth teams in the country.

The game was fast and physical with the U.S. squad showing tremendous touch and ball movement, and the Silverbacks matching them with a well organized defense. The first half ended scoreless with the National Team having a slight edge in scoring opportunities. The second half began at the same high pace but as the game progressed, with an advantage in both speed and fitness, the U.S. National team gained more control. Finally in the 75th minute the National team broke the deadlock, a quick counter attack caught the Silverbacks short on numbers in defence, and a well worked attack was finished off by a weak shot from just inside the penalty area that somehow managed to find its way to the back of the net. Ten minutes later the U.S. National team added a second on a shot that took two deflections on route to goal and the game finished 2-0.

After the match, U.S. Coach John Hackworth expressed his appreciation for the Atlanta Silverbacks hospitality, especially given the short notice of the situation and commented that the level of play in the game "was exactly what we were looking for."

The U.S. National Team traveled back to their headquarters in Bradenton, Fl on Tuesday morning. After a four day stay in the city of Atlanta, the U.S. Soccer Federation determined Hurricane Ivan was no longer a threat to the team's training facility.

The game scheduled for Wednesday September 19th between the U.S. National team and the Atlanta Silverbacks Professional Development Program U19 squad has been cancelled due to the early departure of the U.S. squad.

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USL First Division Stories from September 15, 2004


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