I know it's early, but I got an email from Fox Sports World today about Friday night's A-League broadcast. It's Atlanta Silverbacks @ Puerto Rico Islanders Thought maybe some of you might want to watch who we will be playing in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup. This Friday's live USL on Fox Sports World A-League match takes place at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon, Puerto Rico as the Atlanta Silverbacks take on the Puerto Rico Islanders. Kickoff is set for 8:00 pm ET. Atlanta Silverbacks After starting the season 1-3-1, the Silverbacks have been on an unbelievable tear lately, winning their last ten matches. It is an amazing turnaround for a team that finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference just one season ago. Forward Mac Cozier leads the team with nine goals and three assists for 21 points, which puts him third in the A-League. Fellow forward Velko Iotov has come on strong lately as well, notching a goal and three assists in the last two matches. Puerto Rico Islanders The Islanders will be coming off a 12-day hiatus to try to secure their fourth win. The first year club won back-to-back games against the Virginia Beach Mariners and Charleston Battery before losing to the Silverbacks to end a four-game unbeaten streak on July 4th. Former MLS and Charleston Battery forward Raul Diaz Arce leads the team in goals with six. Mauricio Sallas isn't far behind with five goals and one assist for 11 points. History The two teams have met twice this season, with the Silverbacks claiming a 3-2 victory on June 19th and a 4- 1 victory on the 4th of July. After Friday's match, the two teams will finish out their four-game series on Sunday with another game from Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game Saw the listing on the FSW website. I'm going to try and make some time to watch the game. Hopefully the Wizard's brain trust does the same.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game Not only does Atlanta play at home against Puerto Rico on Friday night, they then travel to Puerto Rico for a game Sunday. Then the Silverbacks travel back home to play the Wizards Tuesday night. Whew! Those A-League guys really get around. Wonder how ragged they might be by Tuesday?
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game You'll all be happy to know that I've decided to skip this game despite the fact that AirTran and Delta both tend to offer very cheap RDU-ATL round trips.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game No radio for the Silverbacks. Oh well. They are already hyping the game as "THE BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR". I hope this won't be a repeat of Rochester 2002 where it was obvious that the A-league players and fans carried a huge chip on their shoulders.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game How serious is Gansler about winning Open Cup matches? I don't have a lot of personal history to go on in this category. Any predictions for a lineup? Or do we wait until after the Burn match to decide who might need to rest?
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game Oh, and can we get a sticky on this? Tuesday will come quick. Thanks.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game It's tough to get a read on Gansler, but we've been pretty bad in Open Cup. But some of our most awful results came pre-Gansler, and we have been improving under BG. But I think we've left a little to be desired in our Open Cup play.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game Gansler usually puts out about 50/50 starters vs. bench players in USOC games IIRC. After what might be a grueling game Saturday we might have to rest some guys as well. Cause we come back to KC for the biggest game of the year vs. LA.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game I watched a small portion of the Atlanta/Puerto Rico match tonight. A quick analysis says we should be able to take advantage of weak play by Atlanta's outside backs. Their left back was especially suseptible to giving the ball away. It was a double overtime draw. And the same two teams play Sunday. Here's hoping it goes DOT again no matter the score. Here's my guess at a lineup. Bo [though I would rather see Hesmer] Zotinca - Graham - Vuk - Burciaga Gomez - Walsh - Jewsbury - Stephenson Taylor - Detter It will be important for Detter and Taylor to make defensive attacks up front like Davy and Josh do.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game That looks like a good possibility for the lineup, but the idea of Gomez and Walsh on the field at the same time is rather scary for me. With this lineup I still think that we can pull out the win, I think Jewsbury can stop Chacon, and I believe that Taylor can find the net to help us move on to the next round
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game After the recent years disappointments in the USOC, I highly doubt Bob will go with a completely second string lineup. I have a feeling some of the more fit (i.e. less prone to fatigue) starters will play all three games next week.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game That was actually @ Puerto Rico.... and the game on Sunday is also in Puerto Rico. Kind of odd, but maybe they did that to save money and only have to make one trip?
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game It was an interesting game to watch. And I'm glad our boys don't have to play on that pitch. It was brutal, but it warmed the cockles of my heart to see the dirt in front of the goal. Reminded of me of my youth, playing rec league. But a professional team shouldn't have to play on something like that. The game itself had some interesting moments. The Silverbacks have a pretty speedy forward in Brooks on the right side. He could present a problem. Chacon (yes, that Chacon) had some great passes to move the ball upfield. Crozier on the left flank looked dangerous as well. I still saw no reason our boys couldn't beat them. Go Wizards
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game I was at the Silverbacks' USOC win over the Carolina Dynamo a couple of weeks ago. I never got around to putting shots online. Atlanta is nothing to write home about. They beat an amateur side 3-2 on a 120th minute golden goal after giving up a stoppage time equalizer. Actually, Carolina carried most of the play. Perhaps it'll be different playing in Atlanta against a bigger club.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game I think I dozed off 4 times in the second half watching that game.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game I think they are trying to bring back the afro look. I think I counted 4 guys with fro's. There striker Brooks is kinda crafty and could be there only real threat. Don't forget about the one year wonder Alex Pineda-Chacon.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game Well, now that Shavar is suspended for the LA game, he's almost sure to play in this one. I wonder if Vuk may get a run out. I'd also let Detter start with Matt "the new king of cutbacks" Taylor.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game With Shavar's red, I wouldn't be surprised to see Vuk, as Graham will move into the starting 11 for the LA match most likely.
Re: July 20 -- KC at Atlanta Pre-Game Justin Detter was at Coach's last night and said he flying out to meet the team in Atlanta. I don't know if he starts or subs in, but I think he'll get minutes.
I decided to make this the Pre/In/Post game thread since I'm assuming not many of us are going to actually SEE the game.
It should be an interesting game. The games in Puerto Rico were not the 'backs best. They had won 11 in a row prior to the trip. PR started the season with like 12 or 14 games without a win. But, have been coming on of late. Maradona's brother is now the manager. And, they have played much better since he took over. Also, Raul Diaz Arce has joined the team and provided a lift. I really think the 'backs were looking forward to Tuesday's game. And, looking down their noses, so to speak, at the Islanders. Who knows, but they didn't play as well as they had been playing for the previous 8-10 weeks. PR normally hosts two games per trip by an A-league team. It just makes sense, cost wise. That is probably why the field looks so poorly. I'm looking forward to the match tomorrow night. I'll do my best to provide somewhat of a match report. But, the beer will be flowing, so don't expect much. By the way, the 'backs play their games on the same field (actually about 6 schools share the field) that Josh Wolfe played his High School games on. So, it is expected that he will play tomorrow night. Go 'backs!