by Gerald Barnhart

Atlanta Silverbacks:

I don't know quite what to say about Atlanta. Every year this team seems to completely overhaul its lineup, making them questionable. But, once the season starts, they seem to be competitive.

Last year, the Silverbacks started out sizzling hot, but cooled rapidly as the season continued, finishing third in what became one of the toughest divisions in the league.

Unlike the Northeast, things will not get any easier in the Southeast with the expected re-emergence of the Mariners in Virginia Beach.

Management has brought in former players, who have recently retired, to coach the club. Jacenir Silva, with the assistance of fan favorite Iggy Moleka, will try to help lead what is currently a rather unknown squad of players through a strong division. I just don't see that working - for now anyway.

Coaching aside though, I just think the 'Backs will be outmatched on the field this year in a division with Charleston, Richmond and Virginia Beach.

What will it take for Charleston? The club has done nearly everything it can to make itself the best in the league only to come up short each year. The club does have the Pro League championship from 1995, but with each passing year, the inability to add more hardware to that becomes more agonizing.

It won't get any easier for the Battery this year. The team has been penciled into the postseason at the beginning of nearly every year, but with only two slots per division and the new-look Virginia Beach Mariners, that is not a given any more.

Second-year coach Chris Ramsey has a difficult task ahead of him for the 2003 season. Perhaps first on his list of concerns is the Charleston offense. Four-time team scoring leader Paul Conway saw his lowest output last year at 13 goals and six assists. Meanwhile, the team dropped from first in the league in goals scored to tied for sixth in 2002.

The defensive unit, however, improved last year, cutting its goals allowed in half to a league-low 16 from 2001's total of 34. I don't know quite how you can do better than that in a 28-game season, but the Battery signed 2001 A-League Defender of the Year Rick Titus.

Following up on last year's marquee signings of Eric Wynalda and Raul Diaz Arce for the 2002 season are the signings of Ted Chronopoulos and Jamar Beasley for 2003. In addition, the Battery grabbed leading scorer from rival Richmond Josh Henderson. These additions should send the Battery attack back to the top of the league.

Charlotte, like Toronto, is a pesky team to play during the season and although they will be bringing up the rear in this tough division, no one will be marking up their matches against the Eagles as wins before stepping on the field. The Eagles have shown they can compete with anyone on any given night, even beating the Rhinos at Frontier Field.

The roster will look a lot like it has over the past few years, which will make the Eagles the best last place team in the league - one that would probably challenge for a playoff berth if it were in the Central or Northeast Divisions.

The defending conference champions have slowly worked their way to the top of the division and become a contender for the title. Unfortunately, for Richmond, an overtime goal by the Rampage in last September's league final may have ruined their only chance to win it all in the A-League for a while.

In a three-horse race for two playoffs berths, the Kickers could find themselves out of the postseason this year when they would likely clinch a berth in any other division in the league.

The loss of Josh Henderson to Charleston, David Hayes to Rochester and captain Marco Ferruzzi to the Minnesota Thunder could leave this team the most vulnerable of the trio. The team also released six-year defender Josh McKay. The club added Rochester's Greg Simmonds up front to replace Henderson, but it remains to be seen how the team will do without its captain and if Chris Fox, who is returning from an ACL injury, is back to his old form. Fox has only seen action in 26 games over the last two seasons, but played in six of the Kickers seven playoff games last year, including the final.

New owner equates a new philosophy for the Mariners. Management has gone after some of the top free agents out there and have landed former MLS scoring star Roy Lassiter.

The new mindset makes the Mariners a force to be reckoned with, but this team will probably play a bit like an expansion club early in the season as it tries to pull everything together under coach Shawn McDonald, who will see the best collection of talent to date in his locker room.

Once the team finds its groove, it will likely make a late run towards the end of the season, gunning for a playoff berth with Charleston and Richmond.

Wow, this is a tough division to judge. Climbing out on the limb, I am giving the Battery the nod for the top spot and Richmond the second in a repeat of last year's results. Close behind will be the Mariners, who may very well prove me wrong. Every game will be a must-win in this division, including those against the Eagles and Silverbacks, who will bring up the rear as they fight one another for fourth.

 

Related Link: Preview by Jerry Lindquist (Richmond Times-Dispatch)