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Eric Wynalda’s fist home game in charge of the Silverbacks features a tough opponent in the Puerto Rico Islanders. Wynalda led the Silverbacks to just their second win of the season last weekend, with a 2-0 road victory against Minnesota Stars FC.

Jahbari Willis, making his professional debut, set up both goals in the encounter. Promoted from the reserve side along with defender Chris Klute, Willis is one of several new faces in Wynalda’s Silverbacks team. Andrew Duran, on loan from the Seattle Sounders, along with recent signings, and former Cal FC players, Danny Barrera, Pablo Cruz, and Mike Randolph bolster a new-look Atlanta side. The Silverbacks added three more players Friday, including Brazilian twin brothers Pedro and Paulo Mendes, and former Puerto Rico Islanders forward Milton Blanco.

The Islanders closed the gap on first place, defeating the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions 1-0 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Nicholas Addlery scored the game’s lone goal, taking his season tally to six.

The two sides last met at Silverbacks Park on June 23, the Islanders winning that hard-fought contest 2-1. With Wynalda at the helm, and several recent acquisitions in the team, Atlanta may finally have the tools to pick the Islanders apart and record a first home win of the season.

Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Puerto Rico Islanders

Saturday, July 14, 2012— 7:30 P.M. EDT

Silverbacks Park

Atlanta, GA

Webcast: NASL on ustream

2012 Series: Puerto Rico, 2-0-0, 6 points

2011 Series: Puerto Rico, 3-0-1, 9 points

                                     Atlanta                                 Puerto Rico

Head Coach               Eric Wynalda                         Adrian Whitbread

2012 Records           8^th: 2-5-9, 11 points               2^nd: 8-4-4, 28 points

Last Five Games       L L L L W                              W T L T W

Goals Leader            Reinaldo Navia (6)                 Nicholas Addlery (6)

Assists Leader        Ciaran O’Brien (4)                  Jonathan Faña (5)

QUICK FACTS

Atlanta

• The Silverbacks recently signed Danny Barrera, Pablo Cruz, and Mike Randolph from Wynalda’s former team, Cal FC.
• Atlanta are winless at home in 2012 (0-3-4).
• Last weekend’s victory against Minnesota Stars FC was just Atlanta’s second win of the season. 

Puerto Rico

• Jonathan Faña is the joint-league-leader in assists with five on the season.
• The Islanders are level on points with the fist place San Antonio Scorpions.
• Puerto Rico are 5-0-1 against Atlanta since the start of the 2011 season.