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The landscape of Atlanta's 4th Division teams changed last night with word that the Atlanta Silverbacks would play in the National Premier Soccer League in 2016. Combined with the addition of Peachtree City MOBA in the United Soccer Leagues' Premier Development League, this will be the highest profile season of 4th Division soccer in Atlanta's history.
Atlanta Silverbacks- NPSL
The Silverbacks' entry into the NPSL takes the place of the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves and dates back to 2008.
Atlanta FC was one of the founding members of the NPSL's South Region, winning the Region title that first year and qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 2009. When the Silverbacks entered the North American Soccer League in 2011, Atlanta FC partnered with the team to become the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves. Many players have gone on to the pros from Atlanta FC or the Reserves. Some of them are:
- Chris Klute, Portland Timbers (Reserves 2011-12)
- Chris Duvall, New York Red Bulls (Reserves 2012)
- Junior Sandoval, Jacksonville Armada (Atlanta FC 2008-09, Reserves 2012)
The team also produced many players for the Silverbacks' NASL squad. Eric Ati, Ramiro Canovas, Kevin Sawchak, CJ Cochran, Janny Rivera, Jahbari Willis, and others.
As we reported earlier, this year's team will be sporting a new ownership group. They will play this season at Silverbacks Park.
Georgia Revolution- NPSL
The Revolution joined the NPSL South Region in 2011. Their best season was 2012 where they lost in the conference final (to Chattanooga FC) and reached the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (lost to the NASL Silverbacks).
Kwadwo Poku got his start with the Revolution, playing there before signing with the Silverbacks in 2014.
2016 is a new beginning for the Revolution, with a new crest and new ownership. The team will play their home games at the Rockdale Youth Soccer Association Soccerplex in Conyers.
Peachtree City MOBA- PDL
Peachtree City MOBA is metro Atlanta's first entry into the PDL since the Atlanta Blackhawks in 2010. Volker Harms is the owner of the team and they will play their home games at the MOBA Soccer Academy in Peachtree City.
Former Atlanta Silverbacks and Georgia Revolution player Jordan Davis will be MOBA's first coach. The new team is also starting to fill out its front office.
MOBA has also operated a team in the Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League for the past two years.