Atlanta hires Eric Wynalda to coach

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ATLANTA -- Former U.S. national team star and television analyst Eric Wynalda has been named the Atlanta Silverbacks' interim coach and adviser.

The team said Monday the 43-year-old Wynalda will assume immediate control of "team-related decisions," including the search for the permanent coach. Wynalda takes over for former coach Alex Pineda Chacon and director of soccer Rodrigo Rios.

Wynalda's 34 goals are the second-most in U.S. men's national team history. Silverbacks chairman Boris Jerkunica says Wynalda will "add more experience and professionalism" to the North American Soccer League franchise.

Atlanta is in last place in the NASL with its 1-5-8 record.

Wynalda was a 2004 inductee into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He says the Silverbacks are "an under-performing team."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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