GAME SUMMARY
Tuesday, June 26, 2007 University of Richmond Stadium
Richmond Kickers 2 (Watson 27’ Ssejjemba 45’)
Cleveland City Stars 1 (Codrington 64’)
RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers ousted USL2 foe Cleveland City Stars with a 2-1 scoreline in a hard-fought Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tonight. A hot and humid night resulted in defensive action on both sides of the pitch with Richmond midfielder Matt Watson and forward Robert Ssejjemba notching two first half goals while Cleveland closed the deficit in the second half on a goal by Nigel Codrington. The Kickers have advanced to the Third Round of Cup play, hosting the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer on Tuesday, July 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. Tickets are $15 general admission (youth and adult) and can be purchased in advance via RichmondKickers.com.
Taking possession early in the half, Richmond’s Mike Burke intercepted a pass in the midfield and found an on-rushing Ssejjemba approaching the box, who split two defenders and took control of the ball. In the third minute of play, Ssejjemba slotted it to forward David Bulow on the left side but Bulow put the ball directly into Patterson’s gloves.
The Stars retaliated soon after when midfielder Derek Potteiger took a free kick near midfield in the 15th minute, sending the ball into the mix. Midfielder Adam Moffat looked dangerous as he attempted a diving header but Kickers netminder, Ronnie Pascale, clutched the ball for the save.
Four minutes later, a streaking Anthony Stovall stole the ball in the backfield and carried it along the left side. Exchanging quick passes along the flank in the midfield, he eventually sent a long cross to Nigel Codrington on the right side; however, Codrington’s rocket from 10 yards out soared over the crossbar.
One minute later, the Kickers recovered when midfielder Evan Harding served the ball into the box, finding Burke at the penalty spot. Burke chested the ball in the air and sent a right-footed volley towards the upper left corner but it sailed just high and wide of the woodwork.
The Kickers were not to be denied in the 28th minute when midfielder Sascha Gorres lined up a short corner on the right side, to Bulow who was tied up by defenders at the near post. Able to get a piece of the ball, Bulow played the ball back to Watson, open at the penalty spot. Watson one-timed the ball into the upper left corner, rattling the crossbar and finding the back of the net.
Nearing the halftime whistle, Watson again found the ball in the midfield and eluded defenders as he made his way down the field. He crossed the ball to forward Nowaf Jaman on the left side but his high, arching shot from 20 yards dipped just over the crossbar.
After roughly four minutes of first half stoppage time, a streaking Watson, on the right flank, carried the ball deep to the corner and calmly slipped a pass to Ssejjemba at six-yards. Ssejjemba easily tapped it past the diving ‘keeper into the lower left corner of the net for the second tally of the night.
Out of the gates in the second half, Cleveland took command when Codrington sent a corner into the box, rebounding to Potteiger just outside the box but his 20-yard shot missiled wide left.
Later, in the 59th minute, Burke drew a foul at the edge of the box, setting up a free kick on the right side. Gorres attempted a left-footed bending shot, cutting through defenders but Patterson punched the ball out of harm’s way.
Five minutes later, Codrington put Cleveland on the board after a City Stars corner on the left side was headed towards the goal by Mark Schulte at the penalty spot. Despite heavy traffic in the box, Codrington got a touch on the ball a few yards out and flicked it on target.
In the 70th minute, Stars midfielder John DeVae dodged Kickers defenders after carrying it down the right flank and attempted a vicious strike to the far side netting; however, Pascale stretched out to snag the ball.
Six minutes later, Codrington was dangerous again, skimming the ball off the left post in the 76th minute and launching a shot from just outside the box in the 78th minute but it was not enough to close the deficit as the Kickers ended Cleveland’s Open Cup run.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Richmond 2 0 2
Cleveland 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
28th minute: Richmond: Matt Watson (David Bulow)
45th minute: Richmond: Robert Ssejjemba (Matt Watson)
64th minute: Cleveland: Nigel Codrington (Mark Schulte)
Lineups
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Trevor McEachron, Kelvin Jones, Steven Wolfe, Charlie Howe, Evan Harding, Sascha Gorres, Matt Watson, David Bulow (Nowaf Jaman – 38’), Mike Burke, Robert Ssejjemba (Ricky Schramm – 80’)
City Stars: GK Caleb Patterson, Jack Cummings, Jeremy Tolleson, Andrew Peterson (Luke Williams – 51’), Adam Moffat, Derek Potteiger, Nigel Codrington, John DeVae (Ian Leibbrandt – 81’), Mark Schulte, Anthony Stovall, Gerardo Alvarez (Dana McGregor – 62’)
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Kickers: 11 Kickers: 4 Kickers 13 Kickers: 1
City Stars: 11 City Stars: 5 City Stars: 10 City Stars: 6
Cautions:
35th minute: Nigel Codrington (Cleveland)
67th minute: Adam Moffat (Cleveland)
89th minute: Ian Leibbrandt (Cleveland)
Ejections:
None.
Referee: Robert Velbis
Assistant Referees: Bill Dittmar, Dan Stead
Fourth Official: Ron Harnage
Attendance: 1,107
Weather: Hot, sunny, 95º
