2014 Atlanta Silverbacks season
The 2014 season was the Atlanta Silverbacks' 18th season of existence, and their 4th consecutive season playing in the North American Soccer League, the second division of the American soccer pyramid.
Background
The Atlanta Silverbacks had a long run in 2013. In the Spring Season, they finished first place and booked their ticket to host the Soccer Bowl. They finished seventh in the fall season, but still were in the final match to decide the NASL Champion. The Silverbacks lost 1–0 to the New York Cosmos in the 2013 Soccer Bowl.They had close results in the U.S. Open Cup, winning their first match against fourth division opponent Georgia Revolution 3–2. Then losing to MLS side Real Salt Lake 2–3 in overtime a week later.
On December 9, 2013, first-year head coach Brian Haynes was not given a contract extension, leaving the Silverbacks without a head coach.
On January 7, the Silverbacks announced that they would eliminate the head coaching position, and have technical director, Eric Wynalda, manage the team. Wynalda has the most professional experience of the club staff as he played in MLS, Germany, and Mexico for 20 years. Wynalda also has 106 US National Team caps, and is third on the countries all-time scoring list with 34 goals.
Club
Current roster
As of October 1, 2014| No. | Position | Nation | Player |
Technical Staff
- Jason Smith – Head Coach
- Eric Wynalda – Technical Director
- Ricardo Montoya – Assistant Coach
- Alejandro Pombo – Assistant Coach
- Eduardo "Lalo" Liza – Assistant Coach
- Juan Castellanos – ''Fitness Coach''
Front Office Staff
- Boris Jerkunica – Chairman
- John Latham – Vice-Chairman
- Andy Smith – General Manager
- Neal Malone – Marketing and PR Manager
- Michael Wheeler – Account Executive
- Kaila Muecke – Account Executive
- Malcolm Johnson – Account Executive
- Pete Zeskind – Account Executive
- Nathan Charlton – Operations Manager
- Samantha Yourstone – ''Event Marketing Coordinator''