If you're a

soccer fan who has been living in this area for awhile,

you have most likely heard the name Danny Care before.

He was a

two-time All-American at McIntosh High School, on the

1992 state champion McIntosh soccer team, and part of the

Lightning team that won one state championship at the

U-17 level and two at the U-19 level. Care then attended

Clemson University, where he started all four years, made

the all-ACC team twice and was captain and All-American

in his senior season.

Now, after

some stints with Major League Soccer (DC United) and

A-League soccer teams, Care has returned to Atlanta to

play for the Atlanta Silverbacks, a talented A-League

squad that is seriously eyeing the championship this

season.

"It's

nice to be playing at home, after representing this state

in high school and club play," said Care. "We

have a real good group, full of skillful players. It will

be exciting to see us continue to get better as a

team."

Care's time

with DC United has shown him what a successful team

playing at the highest level can achieve. His coach was

Bruce Arena, who is now the coach of the U.S. National

Team, and is one of the most successful coaches in U.S.

soccer history. "They are a top notch program from

top to bottom," Care said. "It was a great

experience and very easy to see why they remain such a

successful program."

The

Silverbacks are hoping that some of that experience will

rub off on their young team. They have made a lot of

changes in the offseason, adding players like Care, who

have seen lots of high level experience. The Silverbacks

have also added Daniel Alvarez, who was drafted by the

New York/New Jersey Metro Stars, Brian Piesner, a

developmental player for the Dallas Burn, Tony Soto, a

former player for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Kansas

City Wizards, Ramon Luna, a former player for the Atlanta

Ruckus and Matt Elliot, another star from Clemson

University.

Of Danny

Care, head coach Nuno Piteira said, "Danny is a

proven veteran with experience at a high level of play.

He is one of the best players to come out of

Georgia." As for the future, Care is unsure of just

where his career will go. "I have proven that I can

play at the highest level and be successful, but I also

realize that you can only play for so long," Care

explained. "I just want to help the team do as well

as we can and see where the path takes me."

Gearing up

for what is sure to be an exciting season, the team has

just finished a busy preseason, playing against tough

college programs as well as club teams and some other

A-League squads. Their practice schedule has varied and

has included camps in the mornings and practices at

night. The full squad is now together and has given the

coaches and players a good look at what the team's

potential is.

The

Silverbacks will start the regular season this Saturday,

when they host the Charleston Battery at DeKalb memorial

Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for

children under 14 if purchased in advance, and $10 for

adults and $6 for children under 14 at the gate.

To get to

DeKalb Memorial Stadium, take I-285 to Memorial Drive and

head east toward Stone Mountain. Approximately a mile and

a half down the road will be Memorial College Avenue.

Take a left and the stadium is half a mile down on the

left. For information or to purchase tickets, phone

404-377-5575 or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com .