Atlanta Silverbacks set to return to NASL in 2015

Soccer fans, rejoice.

The Atlanta Silverbacks announced yesterday that they will be back on the pitch in 2015, and will continue to compete in the league they helped bring in, the North American Soccer League. As a matter of fact, it’ll be the NASL who will operate the club next year as they seek out a local ownership for the club. League Commissioner Bill Peterson seemed very proud to have the ‘Backs return, but also understands how important the city is for future success of the league.

"We have tremendous belief in the Atlanta market, and we know that we can have long-term success there. Silverbacks fans are among the most passionate in the league, and they deserve a committed ownership group that will run the team at a high level for years to come.– NASL Commissoner Bill Peterson on the Silverbacks returning to Atlanta in 2015"

While no longer owners of the club, previous owners Boris Jerkuncia and Henry Hardin will both help the league in a pursuit for the next owners. There is a possibility the team will relocate when an owner is secured, but they wont be moving far, as both Cobb and Gwinnett counties are possibilities for the “relocation,” if you even want to call it that. League ownership of struggling franchises is nothing new, as both the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and MLS’ Chivas USA (now defunct) have both been under their league’s control over the past several years.

The Silverbacks had a rough 2014 season, winning only six of their 27 matches and finishing the year with 23 points. However, outside of the league year, the squad defeated MLS team’s Real Salt Lake in Atlanta and the Colorado Rapids in Denver, before losing to the Chicago Fire.

Are you excited about the Silverbacks returning next year? Do you even care? Do you see a future where both the ‘Backs and an MLS team can coexist successfully in Atlanta? Let us know in a comment below or on twitter @ATLBeatBlog or @FletchTopper.