The Atlanta Silverbacks have announced major additions to the Fall Season roster in the last week. First announced is the signing of Kosuke Kimura to the backline. He played with the Rapids, Timbers, and Red Bulls in MLS and recently played in Poland. While he was with the Rapids, not only did he win a MLS Cup, but he played for current Silverbacks manager Gary Smith. He will be available for selection this Saturday.
Also added to the defense are two players recently promoted from the Reserves squad: Abdul Bangura and Mohammad bin Issahaku. Abdul Bangura played for the Silverbacks in the 2014 season, logging over 600 minutes in the league. He is also the cousin of the Silverbacks leading scorer Shaka Bangura. Issahaku, also promoted from the Reserves, is a local product from Georgia Perimeter College. He played 13 matches for CD FAS in El Salvador in the 2014 season. These players are expected to add depth and flexibility to the backline and provide cover for Mensing and Black, who have both played every available league minute for the club this season. Bangura can also play in midfield and made his 2015 NASL debut in the 88th minute against the Rowdies this past Saturday.
The Silverbacks also announced the signing of midfielder Junior Burgos, who played for the club in 2014. Burgos, 26, scored six goals in 17 appearances in 2014. Burgos was drafted by MLS side Toronto in 2011. He will be available for this Saturday’s Fall Season Home Opener against Jacksonville.
The most recent signings, and arguably the most exciting, are the signings of Pedro and Paulo Mendes. Pedro played in 33 matches for the Silverbacks in the 2012 and 2013 seasons and was one of the most successful signings in the Eric Wynalda era. The 25 year old forward made appearances for Indy and Minnesota in 2014. Paulo, who is eligible to play immediately, made 10 appearances for the Silverbacks in the 2010 season and scored a goal. He is a midfielder, and played on the 2013 Cosmos team that won the Soccer Bowl, beating the Silverbacks 1-0.
With the signing of these six players, the Silverbacks can put out a starting eleven that is vastly different from the side that lined up most of the Spring Season. Kyle Miller has left the team, and several other players may follow shortly. Players such as Chris Christian, Jonathan Okafor, Ferrety Sousa, and Michal Mravec may find it difficult to get minutes. Both Michael Horth and Jaime Chavez might see time on the bench, as they have both struggled to score.
The Silverbacks have often struggled in possession, and these signings are aimed at addressing that deficiency. With better possession, hopefully the squad can create more scoring opportunities. The team was last in the league in shots on goal and next to last in goals scored. As stated before, this team must start scoring if they are to avoid being anchored to the bottom of the table.
As everyone is aware, the team is being run by the league and is on a limited budget. I believe that explains Kyle Miller’s departure. I doubt that his salary was large enough to account for all of the signings that have taken place. If it isn’t, then more players will be probably be released soon. It’s also possible the league decided that attracting a buyer, and hopefully a local one, for the team would be easier if the team wasn’t sitting on the bottom of the table.
