ATLANTA SILVERBACKS LINE UP PRESEASON WITH REGIONAL OPPONENTS

Release from Atlanta Silverbacks Media Relations:

With the 2015 NASL Spring Season kicking off in less than 60 days, the Atlanta Silverbacks have produced a preseason schedule featuring five fixtures. Atlanta and first-year head coach Gary Smith will prepare for regular season action with a team sheet studded with just five returning players from 2014.

“Games get under way very quickly as part of our preparation process,” Smith said. “And whilst the majority of games are college opponents, it should allow all the players time to build good relationships and rapport along with some tough physical challenges. With three of our first four games at home, the emphasis on a quick start to the season will be reinforced throughout the build up.”

The new-look Silverbacks kick off the preseason campaign by hosting Georgia Southern University and Georgia State University on March 7 at Silverbacks Park. Georgia Southern, Sun Belt finalists, finished 2014 with an overall record of 8-9 and 3-2 in the Sun Belt Conference. Georgia State finished 8-10-0 in 2014.

Atlanta then welcomes Charlotte Independence of the USL on March 14 at 4 p.m. The Independence are preparing to set off in their inaugural season in the third tier of U.S. Soccer.

Six days later, Atlanta travels to Birmingham for a rematch of last year’s preseason meeting. The Silverbacks will aim to recreate their 3-0 victory on March 20 in Birmingham. The University of Alabama-Birmingham finished 2014 in the NCAA tournament season for the third time in four years, earning a No. 21 national ranking.

Atlanta travels to 2014 ACC Tournament champion Clemson on March 28 in Clemson, S.C., before closing the friendly slate against Young Harris College in Atlanta on March 31.

“It has been a hectic, but exciting offseason,” Smith said. “The roster has slowly taken shape with some talented additions and good balance to the squad, and with around three weeks to the start of our preseason camp, I am confident that we will have all of the pieces of the puzzle in place.”

The Silverbacks open the NASL Spring Season on April 4 against the Indy Eleven at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.