Atlanta Silverbacks pull out of the 09 USL-1 season

Story updated 9:30 a.m. CST

The Atlanta Silverbacks announced yesterday that they have decided not to participate in the 2009 USL D-1 season, sighting the economy and the potential of a new MLS pro team coming to town. The team will continue forward with their women’s team who participate in the USL W-League.

“This was an extremely difficult decision that was prompted by the dynamic events in our economy and the soccer community,” said Atlanta Silverbacks General Manager, Michael Oki. “We would like to thank all of our fans and partners who have supported the team over the years and hope they continue to come out to the Women’s games.” 

The teams decision to not play in the upcoming season comes the day before the USL AGM meetings start in Tampa Florida. The USL-1 league will now be at 10 teams, down one from last years 11. The 2008 season was the Seattle Sounders last season as they will jump up to MLS in 09. The Austin Aztecs of Austin Texas will join the league this season which would have brought the league back to 11. 

My question is, what will happen to the Atlanta Silverbacks rostered players who are under contract for the 09 season? One of them being Aaron Paye who was traded in August from the Thunder to Atlanta in exchange for Nathan Knox, a Macalaster graduate and former Thunder player. Knox played well for the Thunder down the stretch until tearing his ACL in the final Thunder playoff game. Paye did get some play time with the Silverbacks after joining the team. 

My best guess is that the players contracts will be voided. I base that only on the fact that if most of us lost our jobs because our work went out of business, we would not expect to continue to get paid. But then again, I don’t have a contract with my employer either.

Atlanta did not have a very potent offense in the 2008 season except for Macoumba Kandji. Kandji was picked up by the New York Redbulls midseason and have helped the team in the their last season run to the MLS Cup.

The Silverbacks do have a couple of defenders that teams will be hot after. One of them is Matthew Bobo, a strong central defender who led the team in minutes played in 2008. The other is also a defender, but an outside back, David Hayes. He scored 3 goals for the Backs last season and had 2 assists for 8 points.

I will also soon be making a post about some very big internal issues that USL is having. I’m thinking that these issues may also be playing a part in Atlanta’s supposed temporary departure. Does anyone else remember when the Milwaukee Wave United decided to sit out a year…never to be heard of again.

Djorn Buchholz, GM for the Thunder responded this morning to my questions regarding player contracts for the Silverbacks and said he does not want to make comment on the situation at this time. He said he will talk about the situation after the USL meetings are adjourned.

I also contacted Silverbacks GM, Michael Oki, who told Inside Minnesota Soccer, “I believe the contracts end if we do not have a franchise in the league and the players become free agents, but I’m not sure at what exact point that happens.” He also said that contacting the league would be the best way to get a complete answer. I’m guessing that getting ahold of anyone from the league this week will be next to impossible while the USL meetings are in progress.