[R] Support Atlanta Silverbacks in 2007 Thread

[Eleven Bravo]

****I figure it'd be good to have a thread here in the MLS expansion forum and (not just in the USL forum) to discuss about the things you want to see happen, the stadium, future plans for the Silverbacks, academies/PDL, games, the roster and line-up, transfers, etc... In other words, just to talk about the Silverbacks in 2007 since MLS will not field an Atlanta team next year.

First off, What are the chances the Silverbacks could land Clint Mathis, Blake Camp, and/or Justin Moore. If i recall correctly, FC Dallas are letting Moore go. Camp isn't getting much PT for NYRB, and i'm sure MLS & Colorado aren't going to renew Mathis' contract...so he might want to try his luck in MLS. I for one would be glad to see him. One other guy i want to add is Kephren Fuller. He's a georgia native who had a deal with Cambuur not too long ago, but it fell through.

Also, i know of two Georgia natives in the MLS combine list: Zach Kirby and Kyle Helton. They'd both be good additions to the team.

Anyways, are there any PDL players capable of making the jump to the first team?

[BigKahuna]

Moore could be an option, but I don't see Mathis taking a 90% pay cut to play for the Backs.

I just want them to finish that damn stadium already. Its been sitting there for three months now with ZERO progress toward completion of Phase 2.

[Eleven Bravo]

Moore could be an option, but I don't see Mathis taking a 90% pay cut to play for the Backs.

I just want them to finish that damn stadium already. Its been sitting there for three months now with ZERO progress toward completion of Phase 2.

I agree with the fact that i doubt Mathis would take the paycut, but simply if MLS decides not to renew his contract...The Silverbacks might be his only offer. And also, it might not be good for the backs to take a chance on a washed up star that probably wouldn't take the team seriously.

anyways, as far as the stadium, when was phase 2 suppose to be completed? and what's going to be the capacity? isn't it going to be 8,000?

[BigKahuna]

I agree with the fact that i doubt Mathis would take the paycut, but simply if MLS decides not to renew his contract...The Silverbacks might be his only offer. And also, it might not be good for the backs to take a chance on a washed up star that probably wouldn't take the team seriously.

anyways, as far as the stadium, when was phase 2 suppose to be completed? and what's going to be the capacity? isn't it going to be 8,000?

Phase 2 was supposed to be the 4K with bar, locker rooms, etc. They haven't even paved the road to the parking lot yet.:mad:

[Eleven Bravo]

Phase 2 was supposed to be the 4K with bar, locker rooms, etc. They haven't even paved the road to the parking lot yet.:mad:

is there any reason why? do they not have the money or is it just lazy managing?

[BigKahuna]

is there any reason why? do they not have the money or is it just lazy managing?

Honestly I don't know...but I bought into all the management speak about these optimistic goals and am frequently being disappointed. Nothing wrong with taking their time, but they are leading us all to believe that we'll have a 20k seat stadium in a few years. Lets face, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. Thats just a fact.

[Eleven Bravo]

Honestly I don't know...but I bought into all the management speak about these optimistic goals and am frequently being disappointed. Nothing wrong with taking their time, but they are leading us all to believe that we'll have a 20k seat stadium in a few years. Lets face, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. Thats just a fact.

well, the only hope that we have is that everyone was saying the SSS would never get made and at least phase1 is already completed. maybe they're just reallllllllly slow.

however, if i were Jerkunica: I wouldn't go past 8,000 for a USL team. I think 20,000 would be fine for MLS, but he would be pissing his money away and having the fans feel like the NYRB fans playing in Giants stadium if he went to 20 thou for USL.

[ChuckA]

Honestly I don't know...but I bought into all the management speak about these optimistic goals and am frequently being disappointed. Nothing wrong with taking their time, but they are leading us all to believe that we'll have a 20k seat stadium in a few years. Lets face, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. Thats just a fact.

I've addressed this with you in the USL forum. And, here you are again saying the same thing. Do you forget that easily? Or, do just assume that people don't visit both boards?

[BigKahuna]

I've addressed this with you in the USL forum. And, here you are again saying the same thing. Do you forget that easily? Or, do just assume that people don't visit both boards?

Maybe its that I don't pay attention to anything you say? Or maybe its just that I forgot....don't be a jerk.

[ChuckA]

How long have you been following the team?

I don't want to get into a zip flop.

But, you constantly blast the organization because they are not moving at a pace that you want them to move at. You say that things WILL NEVER HAPPEN, and "that's a fact." How do you know?

I've been following the club for over six years. Many have followed a lot longer. It's not MLS and many fans are ok with that because it is their club.

They told us for years they would build a stadium. None of us believed them. They bought the property, but never started construction. This time last year, they had not started construction. And, I watched four games in that stadium last year.

Just be patient. I've been down this road before with them. So far, everything that they have said has come to fruition. It just happens at a different pace than most of us want to.

[BigKahuna]

How long have you been following the team?

I don't want to get into a zip flop.

But, you constantly blast the organization because they are not moving at a pace that you want them to move at. You say that things WILL NEVER HAPPEN, and "that's a fact." How do you know?

I've been following the club for over six years. Many have followed a lot longer. It's not MLS and many fans are ok with that because it is their club.

They told us for years they would build a stadium. None of us believed them. They bought the property, but never started construction. This time last year, they had not started construction. And, I watched four games in that stadium last year.

Just be patient. I've been down this road before with them. So far, everything that they have said has come to fruition. It just happens at a different pace than most of us want to.


I believe that in the very same post you are quoting I said "Nothing wrong with taking their time, but they are leading us all to believe that we'll have a 20k seat stadium in a few years. Lets face, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. Thats just a fact." So you think we will have a 20k seat stadium by 2009 or even 2010, do you?

[ChuckA]

I believe that in the very same post you are quoting I said "Nothing wrong with taking their time, but they are leading us all to believe that we'll have a 20k seat stadium in a few years. Lets face, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. Thats just a fact." So you think we will have a 20k seat stadium by 2009 or even 2010, do you?

I don't think I have ever heard them say that they will have a 20,000 seat stadium.

The website has a picture of the stadium with the following description:

"Artistic rendering of final 15,000-seat stadium"

http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/stadium.php

[BigKahuna]

I don't think I have ever heard them say that they will have a 20,000 seat stadium.

The website has a picture of the stadium with the following description:

"Artistic rendering of final 15,000-seat stadium"

http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/stadium.php


So when do you think that will happen?

[ChuckA]

They are still in phase 2. I think this is about the fourth year of the project from purchase/planning to now.

"On June 3, 2006 the Atlanta Silverbacks will host opening day for the new stadium at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. The four-phase construction project began two years ago with the opening of Atlanta Silverbacks Park. During the first phase of construction, the Silverbacks built two artificial turf fields and a grass field, state-of-the-art lighting and drainage systems, and parking. The Silverbacks recently unveiled plans for the three remaining phases of construction:

Phase II: (scheduled to open June 3) will include a 3,000-seat stadium, a bar/restaurant, additional parking, and permanent restrooms, locker rooms, and concessions;

Phase III: will include the expansion of the stadium to 7,500 seats, the addition of the health club and all its amenities, along with the relocation of the administrative headquarters for the Atlanta Silverbacks;

Phase IV: will include the addition of an upper deck that will increase the total capacity to 15,000-seats."

I would guess that most of it will depend on demand. Just like anything else. There is no need to expand to 15,000 when you are averaging 3,500.

[MPoole]

Phase II: (scheduled to open June 3) will include a 3,000-seat stadium, a bar/restaurant, additional parking, and permanent restrooms, locker rooms, and concessions;
...
I would guess that most of it will depend on demand. Just like anything else. There is no need to expand to 15,000 when you are averaging 3,500.

Now please don't bite my head off, I mean this playfully.

But how can they average 3500 if the stadium only seats 3000?

[oldie]

The stadium capacity will be increased to 4100 by adding seats to rows A,B,C and the handicapped row at the top. I heard there was an option to add temporary bleacher style seating on the end lines if needed. That would put the total to about 5500.

[ChuckA]

Now please don't bite my head off, I mean this playfully.

But how can they average 3500 if the stadium only seats 3000?

I meant 2,500.

Plus, everyone knows that 80% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

[BigKahuna]

I would guess that most of it will depend on demand. Just like anything else. There is no need to expand to 15,000 when you are averaging 3,500.

Thats my point right there. They will not proceed to phase 3 until they are selling out 3500 seats every home game. And they won't go to phase 4's 15k-20k until they are selling out 7500 seats. In my humble opinion, the Backs as they are now will not draw 7.5k. They are just too "minor" league to get that support without some serious changes in the way they market themselves and do business. I hate to be a skeptic, but I really just don't see it ever happenening unless the Backs make the jump to MLS and start paying for better players and playing in higher profile games.

My comment about the "management speak" is that, publically, they aren't saying that progress to phase 4 is contingent on selling out phase 3. they are conveniently neglecting to say that as if they are trying to get people excited about something which will likely not happen. Thats all I'm saying.

[Chowda]

I don't think I have ever heard them say that they will have a 20,000 seat stadium.

The website has a picture of the stadium with the following description:

"Artistic rendering of final 15,000-seat stadium"

http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/stadium.php

If it ever came to it, I think they would find another place for amateur fields and build the stadium to 20,000 to get into MLS. It would probably mean building over the field next to it and paving over the other fields, though.

MLS isn't in the Silverbacks' immediate plans, so only time will tell.

[El Guero Naco]

If it ever came to it, I think they would find another place for amateur fields and build the stadium to 20,000 to get into MLS. It would probably mean building over the field next to it and paving over the other fields, though.

MLS isn't in the Silverbacks' immediate plans, so only time will tell.

Nope, they wouldn't do that. Those fields make them a ton of money. As the old adage goes, it ain't broke, so they ain't gonna fix it.