Following Monday’s training session at the stadium, atlantasilverbacksfc.com spoke with head coach Brian Haynes, defenders Beto Navarro and Martyn Lancaster, and midfielder Richie Menjivar about their season-opening win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers Saturday night.
Silverbacks Head Coach Brian Haynes
“When that last goal went in, it was really cool to hear the crowd, to see the crowd, and the reaction of the boys.”
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“We started off with some butterflies in our stomachs, but it was nice to see the guys settle down and do what they needed to do in the end,”
“We said we were not only going to win games, but we were going to play an attractive style of soccer, and we did.”
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Silverbacks Defender Beto Navarro
“Shane’s throw kind of passed everyone and it dropped right at about the penalty spot. I just crashed it. I went in, and I think I took out the defender. Some people say it touched the defender and some people say it touched me. When it went in, I celebrated.”
“We are a second-division team, but people around here don’t treat us like that. The people support it as if it’s a top-tier team and that’s what kind of motivates us. It’s an amazing feeling to see the stadium full. It’s an atmosphere that can’t even be described.”
“I’ve been kind of going at myself, asking ‘when are you going to score?’”
“With any set piece, as a center back, those are the opportunities you want to take advantage of. You want to be able to capitalize and score on set pieces or free kicks.”
Silverbacks Defender Martyn Lancaster
“In the first half, we were a bit nervous, but when we started the second half, we came out with a little bit more intensity. We’re a good possession team and dangerous on the counter-attack and we’re organized at the back.”
“It was very exciting. All we wanted to do was go out and win the game and we did just that. We got off to a good start for the fans and for the organization.”
“We are taking it one game at time, one training session at a time.”
Silverbacks Midfielder Richie Menjivar
“I think the team was pretty confident going into the Fort Lauderdale game. I think we know where we're at as a team. We knew we needed to win.”
“I thought it was fun. Hopefully, the fans keep coming out. It was a great atmosphere that definitely helped us out.”