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DEL.ICIO.USSilverbacks in USL Finals!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
They go to Portland 1-1 after the first leg in Atlanta, hold the Timbers to a scoreless draw, then prevail in penalty kicks.
It’s first finals in 12 years for an Atlanta soccer team. Ironically, Saturday’s championship game matches the same two cities as the 1995 A-League Finals. Then, it was the Ruckus falling to the Seattle Sounders, who return to play host to the USL title tilt.
Fox Soccer Channel is showing the game live at 10 p.m., and a Decatur establishment is hosting a viewing party, with live music beforehand.
One big ground rule, however: You’ve got to be 21 or older to get through the doors.
A few of the diehards/Westside 109ers are heading to the Pacific Northwest.
The league has announced finalists for its varioius awards, and Silverbacks Dan Antoniuk and David Hayes are in the hunt for MVP and defender of the year, respectively.
Elsewhere in the footy world, the U.S. women’s coach Greg Ryan has made a stunning lineup change for Thursday’s World Cup semifinal match against Brazil.
Instead of No. 1 goalkeeper Hope Solo, who’s played every minute of the tournament, it will be former Atlanta Beatnik Briana Scurry. She’s a four-time World Cup veteran, and at the age of 36, has plenty of experience against Brazil.
Ryan said he made the switch because Scurry hasn’t lost to the South American powerhouse, which has perhaps the most potent offense in the world led by 21-year-old sensation Marta.
Scurry’s second-best moment, right behind the penalty kick save she made in the 1999 finals against China, was the semifinal game she had that year against the Brazilians. It was, in the mind of this eyewitness, a game-saving performance. Her play against Brazil in the 2004 Olympic finals also was terrific.
Apparently this scenario had been anticipated for some time, and Solo said she wasn’t entirely surprised:
“The moment I got tapped on the shoulder saying I need to meet with you, I had a pit in my stomach and I knew what it was.”
If the Yanks should prevail to face a formidable German team that dispatched Norway 3-0 on Wednesday, which keeper does Ryan use? And how does all this play with the rest of the team?
A risky move, to be sure, but provocative. As the game ought to be.
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By Henry
September 26, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Great for the Atlanta boys. Sadly the media here will ignore the Silverbacks anyway. Scurry is just to old and the coach better hope the US defense will hold Martha and company in check. Sadly I see the US out and play for 3rd place again. Briana was much to slow in the last game I saw her play against a third rated team. Germany looked great in the game against Norway and if they keep up that form they will repeat as champions.
By Brian
September 27, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
The reason the media here ignores soccer is because nobody here cares about soccer. It will always be behind football, baseball, basketball, NASCAR, tennis, and even hockey here in Atlanta. Get over it.
By michelle
September 27, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
nice that you took 30 seconds out of your life to post that, brian.
today’s womens team looked panicked, unprepared, and over-hyped. i am still at a loss for words for a 4-0 defeat though. it’s unconscionable.
By Gus
September 27, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Yeah— the US women got shellacked by the Brazilians.
Silverbacks final vs. Seattle will be aired LIVE this Saturday night on Fox Soccer Channel at 10pm. The club and fans are having the Game-Watch Party at Twain’s in downtown Decatur starting at 8pm.
Talk about unexpected bounty— ape fans were just happy to make the playoffs for the 1st time since ‘02 and winning the 1st playoff match ever in the club’s 8-year history. Now we’re in the FINAL.
Let’s see if the gorillas can bring home the title against the Sounders. Gonna be tough— Seattle’s at home and they were the regular season champs. Go ‘Backs!!!
By Henry
September 28, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
As I said previously the only way Briana could have survived was if the defense showed up. They did not and I personally feel sorry for Briana, What a sad way to leave the national team, Sad! Also what is sad is the management of US Soccer. Those political cronies do not care for the game but to act like they are Gods. The last 4 world cups (men 2 and women 2) showed us that our coaching staff is still teaching at the College level that would equal the European and South American as well as African Junior level. We practice our professionals like kids they will play like kids. Four terrible World Cups for our teams is four too many. Klinsmann was right in demanding total control. Well for me I still have two of my National Teams in the final. Brasil will not be allowed to run the Germans of the field like they did with our girls. It should be a great game. What really is sad that we here in the US have many more girls and women playing soccer than probably all of the rest of the world upper tier countries. Brasil does not even have a national league. The girls practically have no other sports as competition unlike the men, which compete with Baseball, Football, Basketball, etc… If US Soccer does not wake up our ladies will be ranked as low as the men are. One more item that is bothering me. If referees would officiate as terrible as they do against the US, all hell would break out from Brasil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, France Spain, etc… What is US Soccer doing about that? Nothing of course? Shannon Boxx’s expulsion was a total disaster, I bet you all that none of our American officials made sure that that so called referee was made aware of that intentional mistake. Those Europeans cannot see that the US will be a power in soccer eventually. How someone can call a dangerous foul when the dirty Christiana trips herself chasing Boxx. Just incredible!!!!!! If I were running US Soccer I would have protested the biased officiating. Guess what the elite on the other side of the pond could not argue with me and I would get total support from the South American Countries. They do like to see the US teams much stronger. They may hate Americans but love us becoming better in the world game. So I now got it of my chest and Wendy make sure to forward my comments to US Soccer. Oh Yea go Siverbacks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Henry
September 29, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
I normally do not follow the crowd, but this time I am. Ryan must go and much sooner than how, preferably last Wednesday. A goalkeeper better be a high-strung person, as such they will speak out. We do not need Imperialism and dictator ship muzzling free speech. Sole was on the mark and her claiming she would have saved at least two of the goals is normal for a world goalkeeper. She better think that way. Unless they have the confidence they would not be world class. This coach like the previous one is at best pathetic. Heinrich at least had the players in shape now they don’t even know where they are or where they are going to on the field. Sadly for us soccer fans, especially those of us that were supporting and rooting for our ladies, US Soccer has let us down. Again i might say. I will not get up at 5:00AM to see them loose and ply like crap again, Period.
By Henry
October 1, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Yep, he must go. Ryan that is. Poor Scurry would have reached that last goal scored on her 5 years ago. She just has lost 6-inches in reach due to her age. I know, I now cannot jump from one side of the goal to the other anymore, even so my mind says I can. Age is a terrible thing in sports. Get Solo back into camp!!!!!! I did not watch the game against Norway and probably will no longer watch the ladies until a new coach takes over. Stupidity and stubbornness cannot be rewarded. The final WWC was a great game. As always the ESPN announcers did a very poor job. Except Judy Foudy, she will be also gone from TV for her honest analysis of the state of Women’s Soccer and the coaching situation. I like to see her take over the coaching job for our ladies. It appears she is the only one in the public eye that knows something about soccer, at least more that the US Soccer elitists. I have all three of my countries 1,2,3 at this championship. Not bad history for me!
By Frataculon 3000
October 1, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Well, then. There’s two hours wasted. Way to show up, ATL — nothing like going down four-nil in front of a national audience.