In preparation for the home-opener against the Charleston Battery on Saturday, April 15th, General Manager Mike Balson and Head Coach Nuno Piteira drafted three players for the Atlanta Silverbacks yesterday. The A-League draft directly followed the MLS Superdraft which took place at the Radission Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The three player acquisitions will provide a great beginning to solidifying the roster for the Silverbacks this season.

The first candidate, Daniel Alvarez of Furman University, is the Silverbacks choice from the Territorial round. The Territorial round allowed for Balson and Piteira to choose one player from Georgia. Alvarez was initially drafted by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars during the MLS Superdraft and will attend the MetroStars preseason training.

If Alvarez does not make the MetroStars final roster, he will come to play for the Silverbacks this season and fulfill the role of attacking midfielder.

“Alvarez is an exceptionally strong player, one of the top players in the country, and if he does not make it to MLS, the Silverbacks will be more than happy to have him come and play for us,” said Balson.

Next, Brian Piesner of Rutgers University was the Round One choice for the Silverbacks. The Dallas Burn of MLS also drafted Piesner. He is a developmental player for the Dallas Burn, and if released by the Burn after preseason training, he will come directly to the Altanta Silverbacks. “Piesner is a left-sided player which is something we are lacking on the team right now. He has exceptional speed and is able to take players on in the wide positions,” said Balson

The final choice was Matt Elliot of Clemson University who was chosen during Round Two of the A-League Draft. “Elliot will definitely give one-hundred percent all the time. I'm sure the Silverbacks will sign him,” said Balson. Elliot is a defender who can fulfill either the defensive or midfield role for the Silverbacks.

“I'm very happy with our three picks. I believe the three young American players Alvarez, Piesner and Elliot will all improve the quality of the Atlanta Silverbacks,” said Balson. The three players are each expected to fulfill important team roles for the Silverbacks.

The Atlanta Silverbacks open the 2000 season on Saturday, April 15th at DeKalb Memorial Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:30pm. Season and group tickets are now available. For more information, call the Silverbacks front office at (404) 377-5575.

Back to the Top of the PageBack to the Sports Home Page