Soccer’s Silverbacks cancel 2009 season

The Atlanta Silverbacks, the men’s professional soccer team that has been in existence for over a decade, announced Wednesday that it will take the 2009 season off.

The team cited the state of the economy and the potential of an MLS team coming to the area as the reason not to play and “assess the landscape.”

“This was an extremely difficult decision that was prompted by the dynamic events in our economy and the soccer community. We would like to thank all of our fans and partners who have supported the team over the years and hope they continue to come out to the Women’s games,” Silverbacks General Manager Michael Oki said in a statement.

The Silverbacks women’s team will play next year.