Gwinnett Daily Post

The Atlanta Silverbacks will open up their 2013 spring season at home April 13 against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the club announced Thursday.

Two NASL teams, the Puerto Rico Islanders and New York Cosmos, will only play in the fall portion of the league's new split schedule. Puerto Rico is reorganizing team operations, and New York is new to the league this year.

Atlanta will host six games in the first half of the season at Silverbacks Park, all beginning at 7:30 p.m.

It will be the first full season for coach Brian Haynes, who took over last year after the firing of Alex Pineda Chacon and Eric Wynalda's term as an interim coach.

Atlanta Silverbacks spring 2013 schedule:

April 13 vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers — Atlanta Silverbacks Park

April 20 @ Tampa Bay Rowdies — Al Lang Stadium

April 27 vs. Minnesota Stars FC — Atlanta Silverbacks Park

May 4 @ San Antonio Scorpions — Toyota Field

May 12 @ FC Edmonton — Clarke Stadium

May 18 vs. Carolina RailHawks — Atlanta Silverbacks Park

May 25 vs. San Antonio Scorpions — Atlanta Silverbacks Park

June 8 vs. FC Edmonton — Atlanta Silverbacks Park

June 15 @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers — Lockhart Stadium

June 22 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies — Atlanta Silverbacks Park

June 29 @ Carolina RailHawks — WakeMed Soccer Park

July 4 @ Minnesota Stars FC — NSC Stadium