Cincinnati Silverbacks

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

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

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. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

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