For the second straight year, the Georgia Revolution will host the Atlanta Silverbacks in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Conyers-based National Premier Soccer League team defeated the Real Colorado Foxes of the USL Premier Development League, another fourth-tier division of U.S. Soccer, 4-3 Tuesday night at the RYSA Soccerplex.
Kwadwo Poku scored three goals in the victory, giving him four throughout the Revs previous two games. Georgia defeated the Colorado Rovers 5-3 in Highlands Ranch, Colo. In the U.S. Open play-in-game Saturday.
“He’s starting off really well,” Revolution coach John Sprague said. “He scored four of our five goals, so obviously he’s an important part of what we do.”
With Poku tallying all but one of Georgia’s goals in the young season, he surely will draw the attention of opposing teams from this point on, and has already gained the attention of Atlanta Silverbacks’ coaches. Atlanta’s technical director and former U.S. National Team player Eric Wynalda was at RYSA Tuesday night watching Poku and the Revolution.
“I know they were here watching him,” Sprague said. “They are prepared and we’ll have to go draw some different things up and get ready and see what happens.”
Emeka Maduka scored the Revolution’s other goal against Real Colorado, giving the home team a 4-0 advantage with 30 minutes to play.
The Foxes stormed back with three straight goals, but Georgia and goalkeeper Zachary Schultze held off the rally to find itself in a familiar position.
Georgia also reached the second round of the tournament, now in its 100th year, in 2012 defeating the Mississippi Brilla, also of the USL.
The Revs will host the Atlanta Silverbacks of the second-tier North American Soccer League and former player Mark Lavewry, who signed with the professional club in April.
“It’s exciting for our players,” Sprague said. “These guys all want to get to the next level and to play in front of a team like that, it’s paying off.”
The Revs host Georgia Tech FC in a Capital Cup game Sunday and begin their third NPSL regular season at Jacksonville United May 24 at 8 p.m.
“I’m excited about this team,” Sprague said. “We have a young, deep team, and with the atmosphere we have, we’ll be good for a couple of years.”
