Cincinnati Silverbacks

Cincinnati Silverbacks
Full nameCincinnati Silverbacks
Nickname(s)Silverbacks
Founded1995
Dissolved1998
GroundThe Crown
ChairmanRich Neumann
Head CoachGeorger Fernandez
LeagueNPSL

The Cincinnati Silverbacks was an indoor soccer club based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.

History

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They performed under the leadership of All-Star goalkeeper Carlos Pena. Other star players included Gino DiFlorio (who scored a team record 10 points in his Silverback debut against rival Cleveland Crunch), Franklin McIntosh, Shawn Medved, and Dennis Brose. Games were held at the Cincinnati Gardens for their first two seasons before moving downtown along with the Cincinnati Cyclones where they would compete at The Crown (now known as Heritage Bank Center) for their final year of competition.[1]

Despite their performance and fan support, the Silverbacks were discontinued due to not generating revenue. The Detroit-based Nederlander Organization, which manages Riverbend and the Taft Theater in Cincinnati as well as the Crown, was a partner in Cincinnati Entertainment Associates Ltd., which owned the Crown, Cyclones and Silverbacks. Former President Rich Neumann said a contributing factor to the club's demise was a lack of weekend home dates. Of the 20 home games played in an average season, the Silverbacks would need at least 15 to be on a Friday or Saturday night. In their final season, 13 games were played on Friday or Saturday. Roughly 75 percent of Silverbacks ticket sales come from groups, with less than 10 percent—believed to be around 100—season ticket holders.[2]

The team was previously known as the Dayton Dynamo, from 1987/88-1994/95.

Year-by-year

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Year GP W L % GB GF GA League Avg. attendance Division Playoffs
1995–96 40 14 26 .350 17 496 579 NPSL 3,759 5th, American DNQ
1996–97 40 21 19 .525 8 570 517 NPSL 3,173 2nd, American Central Conference Semifinals
1997–98 40 15 25 .375 13 563 604 NPSL 5,145 3rd, American Central Conference Quarterfinals

1995–96: The Inaugural Season

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Roster

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
0 GK United States USA Mark Simpson
01 GK United States USA John Mers
1 GK United States USA Carlos Pena
2 DF United States USA Jeff Popp
3 FW United States USA Jason Maricle
5 FW United States USA Scott Lawler
5 DF United States USA Scott Cannon
7 DF Scotland SCO Vince Beck
8 MF United States USA Chris King
9 FW United States USA Jimmy Glenn
10 DF United States USA Mike Gosselin
11 FW United States USA Dennis Brose
14 MF United States USA Chris Pfau
20 MF United States USA Doug Tegge
22 DF United States USA Willy Merrick
No. Pos. Nation Player
25 MF United States USA Tony Bono
United States USA Jeff Alcala
South Africa RSA Michael Araujo
FW   Terry Brown
DF United States USA Chuck Codd
FW United States USA Dan Creech
FW United States USA George Fernandez
11 FW United States USA Jim Foley (soccer)
MF Guyana GUY Lyndon Hooper
DF United States USA Paul McDonnell
DF United States USA Matt Kmosko
FW United States USA Bernie Lilavois
FW United States USA Shawn Medved
MF United States USA Steve Provan
  Mark Thomas
MF Mexico MEX Armando Valdivia

References

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  1. ^ Crossley, Andy. "1995–1998 Cincinnati Silverbacks". www.funwhileitlasted.net. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Silverbacks may not return". www.enquirer.com. Retrieved 2016-12-12.