So far an interesting off season. We will certainly be a better team in 2012. We have had very little turnover. The hard won chemistry apparent towards the end of the 2011 season will not be lost. We also now have Alex Pineda Chacon as head coach after being an assistant for years. He certainly knows the league, having played in it and been with the Silverbacks for years. I got a good feeling about his ability to lead, recruit, and organize. He certainly deserves this chance. http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/index.php?id=9&newsid=191 So far, here are the key signings since Coach Chacon has taken charge: Martyn Lancaster: 31 year old, 6ft 1" defender. A former Silverback. We also got to see him play for Fort Lauderdale last season. Fit, athletic, with good skills. A veteran who has years of experience in the USL and NASL and comparable division sides in England, Scotland, and Sweden. He is solid and will help the defense and also help our younger players develop. http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/index.php?id=9&newsid=201 Rilla: 29 year old, 6ft 3" defender. Played lower divisions in Brazil. Haven't seen him play yet, but he sounds pretty good. http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/index.php?id=9&newsid=211 Reinaldo Navia: A 33 year old 5ft 7" striker. He is possibly the biggest name ever to play for the Silverbacks. He was a notable player at the top level in Mexico. At 33 he must have lost some of this athletic abilities but but I'm hoping (and guessing) he still possesses the knowledge and skills to help us score goals. He could also be a big help in developing our younger players as well. http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/index.php?id=9&newsid=214
Big name but small in stature. You missed mentioning Stephen Ademolu who signed with the Silverbacks. He had some great years playing pro in Sweden and Norway and was considered an impact player. In the write-ups about the signing, they often quote his goals scored, but I found an interesting and critical article written from the newspaper in Tromsö. Basically the short article reminisces that even when he came to TIL in 2005, he already had a reputation for scoring following him. But that was something that TIL never saw materialize. Instead he gained more of a reputation for his missed chances (vs. Roma & Strasbourg in UEFA League, among others).
http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/index.php?id=350&newsid=1684 "The Atlanta Silverbacks added two more players to their roster for the 2012 season, signing midfielder TONY MCMANUS and defender TYLER RUTHVEN, pending USSF approval, the club announced Monday."
Is Turcios a great signing for a NASL team? He seems like he would be but there is always the chance he is getting older and slower and can't contribute as much.
The Atlanta Silverbacks have signed midfielders NICO COLALUCA and JORDAN DAVIS and forward DAVID SANTAMARIA, pending USSF approval, the club announced Tuesday. Why would the USSF need to approve. http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=1790
Any of the new players (not the resigned ones or oldtimers coming back) likely to go the route of Mario Perez and be gone by midseason?
Tyler Ruthven may already be gone. The Red Bulls gave him a try out and from my distance it appeared to go well. Nothing from NYRB yet but it has been said he got signed. Tyler is athletic and a fierce competitor and a hard-working professional. I believe he would work out well for NYRB. Stay tuned.
So far two of the 2011 Silverbacks have left the team for 'bigger' clubs: Tyler Ruthven was signed by NYRB. It is now official. http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/news/Ruthven-Signs-With-Red-Bulls Also Jimmy Mauer is now playing in Chile for Universidad de Concepción. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/02/16/postcard-mexico-maurers-leap-faith
http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=1968 Joe Nasco GK 2012 preview http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=1956
He played. As for the second question, time will tell. But right now the only place the team can go it up.
http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/news/Silverbacks-Add-Duran,-Willis-to-Roster The Atlanta Silverbacks have added defender ANDREW DURAN and forward JAHBARI WILLIS, the club announced Friday, pending USSF approval.
Boom! These are signings we need. God, I hope so. I wanted FC Cal take on Seattle but I don't recall anyone standing out. I may have been drunk.