Eric Wynalda's Cal FC influence on the Atlanta Silverbacks is becoming a little more noticeable.
Just a week after taking over as interim manager of the NASL club, Wynalda has brought three of his stalwarts from Cal FC's U.S. Open Cup team along with him to Atlanta. The club announced the signings of Danny Barrera, Pablo Cruz and Mike Randolph Tuesday in hopes of having that Cal FC magic rub off on the last-place team over the course of the final 12 games of the season. Since Wynalda took over, the club is 1-1, defeating the Minnesota Stars on Saturday for just its second win of the season.
Barrera, an attacking midfielder, was the centerpiece of Cal FC, while Randolph, a former Los Angeles Galaxy defender and Cruz, a former U.S. youth national team midfielder, also played large roles for the Gran Liga de Oxnard team that surprisingly advanced to the tournament's Round of 16.
What do you think of this development? Do you see the Cal FC magic translating to Atlanta? Did you expect these players (and others from Cal FC) to catch on at bigger clubs?
Share your thoughts below.