The Georgia Revolution may have missed out on the 2013 National Premier Soccer League’s playoffs, but the Conyers-based fourth-tier soccer club has a chance at one more glory this year.
The Revolution host the Atlanta Silverbacks, spring champions of the North American Soccer League a second-tier league in the United States’ professional soccer pyramid, at 7:30 tonight.
It will be the third time the two Atlanta-area teams have met at the Rockdale Youth Soccer Association’s Soccerplex, and the second time this season.
The Silverbacks defeated the Revs 3-2 in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup May 21, despite goals by Emeka Maduka and Kwadwo Poku on their home pitch.
The two teams also met in the U.S. Open Cup last season, with the Silverbacks winning 1-0 in the second-round match on May 23, 2012.
Following that matchup and the 2012 season, the Silverbacks signed Mark Lavery away from the Revs, moving the former Georgia defender to the professional ranks.
With this being an exhibition game in between the NASL’s spring and fall seasons, Lavery may get some playing time. He didn’t get on the pitch in the U.S. Open Cup matchup two months ago. Also helping Lavery’s cause is the fact that Atlanta defender Mark Bloom was loaned to Toronto FC of Major League Soccer for the remainder of the season Friday. Atlanta now has eight defenders listed on its roster.
The Georgia Revolution finished its third season with a 4-2-2 record with 14 points in NPSL play, finishing in second place to the Jacksonville United, which had 20 points and six wins.