RICHMOND, VA – As the race for post-season play continues in the USL First Division, the Richmond Kickers (10-8-9, 39 points) clinched a playoff berth tonight after a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers (8-9-9, 33 points).  Despite out-shooting the Timbers 12-4, the Kickers were down 1-0 after an early second half goal by Timbers forward Daniel Antoniuk.  Portland could not to hold onto the lead; however, due to an 88th minute equalizer by Kickers defender Jeff Hare, who tallied his first goal of the season.

 

Portland’s best chance of the first half occurred when midfielder Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar created a dangerous scoring opportunity in the 13th minute, taking a shot from just inside the 18 yard line towards the upper left corner of the goal.  Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was forced to make a heroic lunging save, batting the ball out of harm’s way. 

 

The Kickers answered two minutes later when midfielder Mike Burke sent a corner kick into the box, finding midfielder Joey Worthen in the air.  Unfortunately for the Kickers, Worthen’s header was saved by the woodwork, ricocheting off of the crossbar.

 

Following a scoreless first half, the Timbers opened the second half with a 59th minute goal by leading scorer Daniel Antoniuk.  Pascale and the Richmond defense made several crucial blocks during a scramble inside the box.  However, when the ball rebounded wide, the Kickers players lost their marks, allowing a Portland player to swing a dangerous cross into the box to an unmarked Antoniuk, who had a free header to put the ball into the back of the net. 

 

After Timbers midfielder Gavin Wilkinson was sent off due to a red-card ejection two minutes later, Kickers midfielders Tim Brown, Dustin Swinehart and Sascha Görres (72’, 76’, 82’) saw several chances skim just wide left of the goal.

 

In the final minutes, Richmond’s Jeff Hare was able to tally the much-needed equalizer. The ball was played into the box and Portland goalkeeper Josh Saunders attempted to punch the ball away, resulting in a half-clearance, which fell to Hare’s feet eight yards out.  In the confusion, Hare coolly slid the ball into the left side of the net.

 

The Kickers and the Timbers will exchange home field advantage next week with the conclusion of the 2005 regular season, when the Kickers travel to Portland on Saturday, September 10th.  Post-season play will begin the following weekend, September 16-18th. 

 

Box Score      First Half     Second Half      Final
Portland                 0                    1                  1
Richmond               0                    1                  1

 

Scoring Summary
59th minute: Portland – Daniel Antoniuk (Scott Benedetti)
88th minute: Richmond – Jeff Hare
 
Lineups
 Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Chris Fox, Kevin Knight (Jeff Hare – 83rd minute), Tony Williams, Peter Luzak, Joey Worthen, Tim Brown, Mike Burke, Kevin Jeffrey (Chris Carrieri – 21st minute (Sascha Gorres – 66th minute)), McColm Cephas, Dustin Swinehart

 Timbers: GK Josh Saunders, Garrett Marcum (Lee Morrison – 82nd minute), Scot Thompson, Gavin Wilkinson, Kevin Goldthwaite, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, Brian Winters, Scott Benedetti, Aaron Lines, Dan Antoniuk, Byron Alvarez

 

Shots                          Saves                       Fouls                   Corners
Timbers:         4           Timbers:       2          Timbers:      14     Timbers:      3 
Kickers:         12          Kickers:        2          Kickers:       12      Kickers:       9

 

Cautions:
31st minute – McColm Cephas (Richmond)
52nd minute –Chris Carrieri (Richmond)
84th minute – Jeff Hare (Richmond)
85th minute – Aaron Lines (Portland)

 

Ejections:
61st minute: Gavin Wilkinson  (Portland)

 

Referee:    Bill Dittmar
Assistant Referees:   Andrew Chapin, Ben Jones
Fourth Official:    James Conlee
Attendance:    2,289
Weather:    Fair, Breezy, 76º
First Market Bank Man of the Match: Jeff Hare

 

Call (804) 644-5425 ext. 301 for further information.
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