Hayes named new Silverbacks Womens Coach

On Thursday the Atlanta Silverbacks named David Hayes as their new coach for the Atlanta Silverbacks Women of the W-league.  With David being named the 2007 Defender of the year and picking up All-league selections in 2007 & 2008 I was expecting to see him signing for a new team.   But it looks like he has decided to pursue a new career path.  Or is he???

I’m not really one for conspiracy theories but I can’t help but wonder if this is a short term assignment.  If I were playing GM for a minute and I was planning to take a season off but then come back I would try to preserve a few building blocks if possible.  After selling Mac’s contract who would be one of the most valuable assets to keep around.  Maybe someone who could provide veteran leadership, has the ability to be an impact player on both ends of the pitch, and gives you a cornerstone for a new team. 

Look, I could be completely off base. Maybe he likes the area , enjoys his gig as Technical Director with the Alpharetta Ambush, and this new responsibility makes it worth while to stay. But maybe, just maybe, there is something more to this signing then meets the eye. 

Can you think of anyone from the 2008 roster that you would rather have around if you were going to rebuild the Men’s Silverback Team?

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Former Silverback YouTubed himself into Scotland team!

It’s Friday and after yesterday’s depressing news of the Atlanta MLS bid fail I thought we could all use a feel good story.

A few months ago Martyn Lancaster was an Atlanta Silverbacks player.  After the team folded he got a little homesick for British football.  His wife posted his highlight reel on YouTube and a week later he was signed to a six month contract in Scotland by Queen of the South.

You’ve got to read his story to believe it.  

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/sfl/2009/01/15/i-sold-myself-to-queens-on-you-tube-86908-21042474/

His YouTube video is below. So, are you ready to put your highlights together? You never know what can happen, just ask Martyn.

Thanks oldie for the lead!

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Mac Kandji will remain a NY Red Bull in 2009!

New York Red Bulls have announced the signing of former Atlanta Silverbacks Forward Mac Kandji.  Mac was loaned to NYRB late last season with the option to buy his rights.  New York Red Bull’s agreed to terms of a transfer and Mac has officially signed with MLS & NYRB.  Mac’s 2008 MLS salary had a base of $36,000 with a guarantee of $57,000.  The terms of new contract will not be disclosed at this time per MLS policy.

NYRB Sporting Director Jeff Agoos had this to say of Mac.

“We liked what we saw from Mac during his time on loan with us,” “Mac has shown that he is capable of playing at a higher level and we look forward to his contribution in the future.”

Maybe this can provide some solace after the loss of our Silverbacks for 2009 (hopefully not forever).   And congratulations to the 52% of you who were correct in the December Poll that the Big Mac Attack would indeed go to New York.   For more details at the MLS site click here.

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Where’s the Big Mac Attack Going?

Macoumba (Mac) Kandji

Macoumba (Mac) Kandji had quite a year.  He led the Atlanta Silverbacks offense with 11 goals in the 21 games he played and finished the season for 3rd in overall points for the USL First Division. To add to his credentials Mac was awarded with a spot on the USL-1 All-League First Team.  Not bad for someone who only played 70% of the possible games.

 On September 15th, 2008 Mac got his shot and went on loan with New York Red Bulls for the remainder of the season. The transfer fee was undisclosed but believed to be in the ballpark of $25K for the remainder of 2008 with an option to make the loan permanent by December 15th.  If NYRB pick up the option it would cost them between $125K & $175K over the next two years.

 In the 5 regular season games he played with NYRB he scored 1 goal and had 2 assist in 270 minutes played.  During the playoffs he only had 2 cameos totaling 14 minutes.

 If NYRB doesn’t pick up the option we know where Mac won’t be playing in 2009.  The Atlanta Silverback’s announced in early November that the men’s team would “sit out the 2009 season”.  And it was reported by SBI that…

 “In a rather shrewd bit of business, Atlanta Silverbacks owner Boris Jerkunica has orchestrated the transfer of Kandji’s rights from Atlanta to the USL Carolina Railhawks, which he also has an ownership stake in. The move means that if the Red Bulls exercise the option to buy Kandji’s rights, the Railhawks would be paid. If the move had not been made, Kandji could have been in a position to become a free agent.”

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Women’s Soccer

Fritz Johnson is looking to bring top tier Women’s Professional Soccer back to Atlanta.  During a press conference Thursday he discussed what makes this time around different. The Atlanta Beat folded along with the WUSA back in 2003 but that past failure isn’t stopping Fritz from bringing the game that he loves back to the city he believes in.  The league begins play in 2009 but Atlanta won’t kick things off until 2010.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t guarantee your spot in the stands today.  If you want to support the effort information about season ticket pledges can be found at www.atlantawomensprosoccer.com . 

But if you can’t wait until 2010 then you’re in luck.  The Atlanta Silverbacks organization sent out a letter to fans to answer some questions in the wake of the announcement that the men’s team would be taking 2009 off.

Many have asked how this will affect the Women’s team, and you all may see some small adjustments … but for the most part it will be business as usual for the Silverbacks Women.

Do you think womens soccer will be more successful this time around?  What would it take to get you out to a game?

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Silverback’s Men team won’t play in 2009

When I heard the rumor Tuesday morning I hoped it wasn’t true. Unfortunately this time it was more then just a rumor.  The Atlanta Silverbacks have decided not to field a men’s team for the 2009 season.  The Silverbacks website cited the economic climate and the potential of an MLS team coming to Atlanta as the primary reasons.   The Silverbacks womens team will still play but with the Women’s Professional Soccer league starting up the best players will likely join the new league.

Hopefully this is just a bump in the road and we’ll see the team return in 2010.  I was at the last home game for the 2008 season, I just didn’t think it would be the last home game.

Did you ever get out to a game?  Will you miss the Silverbacks next year?

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