After a two-year absence, men’s professional soccer returns to Atlanta on Saturday night. Local fans hope that this time, it is here to stay.
The Atlanta Silverbacks kick off the 2011 season with big goals in mind — both on the field and in the front office — as they play host to the NSC Minnesota Stars at 7:30 p.m. in Doraville.
The Silverbacks men will play in a new league — the North American Soccer League — and will field a brand new squad at the team’s stadium, located just north of Spaghetti Junction off I-85.
The Silverbacks believe the changes will help provide the base for an enduring and successful future — one that includes playing at the highest levels.
“Our goal is to be an MLS franchise, eventually,” Silverbacks public relations manager Neal Malone said on Thursday (Major League Soccer is the top professional division in the United States). “We know that (jumping up to the MLS) is not going to happen over the next year or two. But it is certainly one of our longer-term goals.”
Will Craig Bellamy be staying at Cardiff?
Robinho and AC Milan were made for each otehr
When will Roque Santa Cruz score next?
Yuri Zhirkov is my favourite Russian footy player
Didier Drogba is a beat
Frank Lampard > Paul Scholes
Is JT the new Ashley Cole?
I love Petr Cech
I think Branislav Ivanovic could be the best Serbian footballer ever
Salomon Kalou is a great layer
Michael Essien is a Machine!
Where does Franco Di Santo come from
I think Ricardo Carvalho rocks
Is Michael Ballack still the Germany captain?
Florent Malouda is aweseom for Chelsea
Paulo Ferreira is my Chelsea idol. I have his autograph!
Future England Striker Daniel Sturridge
We love Nicolas Anelka
Poor John Obi Mikel. Never gonna win anything!
We all love Ashley Cole
Jose Bosingwa plays at right-back
If only I could play like Yossi Benayoun…
Micah Richards is England’s future right-back
Can’t believe Wayne Bridge doesn’t play for England
Can’t believe Kolo Toure has been suspended
I love Adam Johnson