Silverbacks to sit out 2009

Atlanta Silverbacks will sit out the 2009 USL season.

 

Wonder if that means PDL is shelved as well. Our local USL PDL team, Panama City Pirates, played aginst the 'Backs last summer.

 

HD, Atlanta is bad, but it has nothing on Miami.

Sorry to hear about a shutdown

 

After they just built that stadium to, WTF.

I thinks the MLS speculation excuse is used in lieu of "we don't have enough money to get through the season". I haven't been following it much but I don't think anyone rates Atlanta's shot at an MLS franchise particularly high and in any case they wouldn't start playing until what 2011, 2012?? Its an excuse and a lame one at that.

 

Googling "worst cities at supporting sports" brought up Atlanta in 2 of the top 3 spots. Interesting.

As for USL teams shutting down, it shouldn't come as a big surprise. With little to no tv revenue, I'd think they're very difficult to keep profitable.

 

My first thought when I read the article was to wonder if the MLS would lower thier opinion of Atlanta's bid for a team down because it hasn't supported its USL team the way Portland has.

 

It sucks for Atlanta soccer...Silverbacks Stadium is right behind my house. Some of the Silverbacks live in my neighborhood and I bet they're all gone. Jacob is the most pissed of all the Dirty Whites. He went to most of the games.

At least, they'll still be using the stadium for their leagues (I hear them often and used to hear the games very often from my room window).

And yes, Atlanta support hasn't been great. We've already gone through an MISL team (Attack), a NASL team (Chiefs) and a NHL team (Flames). The ones who are fans are loyal but small (Thrashers and the hopefully not defunct Silverbacks) or bandwagon (Braves) or just in a bad, bad situation (Falcons - M. Vick and his dogs, Hawks - owners who squabble and make bad decisions though both teams are doing well now)

(I do agree there are cities with worse support than us - Miami and Tampa Bay come to mind)

 

My vote has to go to Miami. If the teams aren't winning, the games could be in fron of friends and family, and that is about it.

That's why I hope their MLS bid doesn't get approval, Barcelona or no Barcelona. Yes, I know the Fusion had a degree of support. I see all the other teams in Miami that lose it as soon as they stub their toe. No, thank you.

 

I would expect the PDL team to continue - far lower costs and not even imagined impact from the MLS.