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DEL.ICIO.USPlayoff victory for Silverbacks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The gamble the Silverbacks took in opting to play host to the first game in their series with Rochester paid off handsomely Friday as they won their first-ever playoff game. Bookend goals by Warren Ukah and Michael Wolfe netted a 2-1 victory, giving the ‘Backs the advantage when the return match is played Sunday in Rochester. That’s set for 6 p.m. and live streaming is available.
All the Silverbacks have to do is draw or win to advance in a series based on aggreggate goals.
No matter what happens from here, this is a significant hurdle that a long-frustrated franchise has cleared. The team’s owners claim no kinship to the forlorn Ruckus, but Atlanta soccer fans who go back that far must feel even more gratified for all the suffering they’ve endured.
It’s been a long time since the last playoff win by an Atlanta team — 12 years to be exact, when the Ruckus reached the finals of the old A-League.
Other playoff scores from Friday:
Seattle 2, Carolina 0 Montreal 3, Puerto Rico 2
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By Tom
September 15, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
Wow— what a game last night. The weather cleared just in time for kickoff and the RE/MAX got a pretty reasonable crowd. Hopefully the ‘Backs wont rue the slew of goals they missed. Rochester’s still a dangreous team and Atlanta needs to play for the win Sunday in NY. If they sit back and play for the draw, they’ll lose. Good luck to the red-and-black…
By Jimmy
September 16, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
Silverbacks draw the Rhinos 1-1 in Rochester to advance on 3-2 aggregate to the semifinals!
By Jonathan
September 17, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
Great result for the boys in Rochester. Looking forward to the intense match-up with Portland!
By Chris D'
September 17, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
The semi-finals will take place next weekend in another two-game aggregate home-and-away series between the 4-Atlanta Silverbacks and the 2-Portland Timbers as well as the 1-Seattle Sounders and the 6-Puerto Rico Islanders. The Silverbacks will host the Portland Timbers on Friday, September 21 at 7:55 pm at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium in the first leg of the USL-1 semi-finals. The Silverbacks will play the second leg of the semi-final series on Sunday, September 23 at PGE Park, the time has yet to be determined. Visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com for all the latest information.
By Henry
September 24, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Anyone watching the Women’s World Cup? Up now it as a great one. In the semi-finals we find the normal ones but they had to fight to get there. My three countries are there and two of them should be in the final. The US ladies had the hardest schedule and should now be considered the favorite ones. They started out like our men NT, indecisive. Probably over trained and much to nervous and indecisive. Finally against England they woke up and played almost like they can. Early Wednesday Germany vs Norway and Thursday US vs Brasil both should be great games and should be a must to watch for all soccer fans.
By Ginny
September 24, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
Thank goodness for cats that insist they be fed at 5 a.m. - it makes WWC viewing a lot easier to wake up for. It’s going to come down to Germany vs US, and both teams are playing well now. And how about those Silverbacks!!!
By Bob
September 24, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Silverbacks are in the league final at Seattle after beating Portland in PKs in the semis.
By Mustang Man
September 25, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
It’s nice to have a little information on the USL games! Thanks to Bob for keeping us up to date. Even the USL’s own website is woefully behind on playoff coverage. The finals are at Saturday at 10 PM on FSC from Seattle. Go Silverbacks! And AJC - it wouldn’t kill you to have a little more coverage of our Championship bound team! Women’s World CUp has been terrific so far and should continue to be. Thanks, ESPN, for coverage!