RICHMOND, VA – (Friday, September 7, 2007) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce three players from the USL2 Second Division Finalists squad will join Major League Soccer on loan this weekend. Midfielder Trey Alexander will travel with Real Salt Lake to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, September 8th while defender Kelvin Jones and USL2 Goalkeeper of the Year Ronnie Pascale will join DC United against the New England Revolution on Sunday, September 9th.
A native or Little Rock, Arkansas, Alexander joined the Kickers prior to the 2007 season upon participating in the Kickers 2007 spring combine. Starting 13 of 16 regular season games played this season, he netted two goals and an assist for five points on the season and earned USL2 Team of the Week honors in April for registering the game-winner over Crystal Palace Baltimore. Alexander was signed by the Charleston Battery (USL1) out of Western Kentucky University in 2005 before spending the 2006 season with USL2 rivals Cincinnati Kings.
Local talent Jones was a two-year stalwart on the Kickers back line, anchoring the defensive unit that posted 10 shutouts during regular season and US Open Cup action this season. Not only an authority on the defense, Jones doubled as an offensive threat, notching his first goal in a Kickers uniform during Richmond’s 2-2 draw in Wilmington in July. After concluding his collegiate career at Wake Forest University, he spent his first two professional seasons with the Charleston Battery (USL1) before joining the Kickers out of the 2006 spring combine.
A two-time USL2 Goalkeeper of the Year honoree (2006, 2007), Pascale recently concluded his eighth season in goal with the Kickers, sixth in the starting position. Finishing third in the GAA Championship race with a regular season average of 0.684, he was named USL2 All-League First Team goalkeeper and led the league in goalkeeper wins with 12. With 10 shutouts on the season, Pascale led the Kickers to their fourth USL final in six seasons.
Overall Statistics (Includes Open Cup and Playoffs)
#5 Kelvin Jones Defender 5’11” 170lbs Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA
GP/GS: 25/25 Min: 2,232 Fouls: 26 Shots: 16 Goals: 1 Assists: 1 Points: 3
#18 Trey Alexander Midfielder 6’0” 160lbs Hometown: Little Rock, AR
GP/GS: 21/17 Min: 1,370 Fouls: 21 Shots: 7 Goals: 2 Assists: 1 Points: 5
#22 Ronnie Pascale Goalkeeper 5’11” 180lbs Hometown: North Salem, NY
GP/GS: 25/25 Min: 2,310 GAA: 0.81 GA: 19 Record: 16-3-6 SA: 91 SH: 255 SO: 10
In franchise history, 20 players have progressed from the Richmond Kickers into Major League Soccer. Former Kickers players who have advanced to MLS include Mike Clark (Columbus Crew), Dwayne DeRosario (Houston Dynamo), Brian Kamler (D.C. United, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution), Brian Bates (Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn), Scott Budnick (Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny), Jeff Causey (New England Revolution, D.C. United), Ben Crawley (D.C. United), Ted Gillen (New York Red Bulls), Gary Glasgow (Kansas City Wizards), Onandi Lowe (Kansas City Wizards), Mike McGinty (D.C. United), Mark Simpson (D.C. United), Todd Yeagley (Columbus Crew), Ihor Dotsenko (Kansas City Wizards), Rob Ukrop (New England Revolution), Richie Williams (D.C. United, New York Red Bulls), David Testo (Columbus Crew), Clyde Simms (D.C. United), Joey Worthen (Real Salt Lake) and Robert Ssejjemba (D.C. United).
Former Kickers alumni presently or formerly in MLS also includes Brian Kamler (Director of Soccer Development, Real Salt Lake), Marco Ferruzzi (Assistant Coach, FC Dallas), Richie Williams (Assistant Coach, New York Red Bulls), former Kickers Head Coach Colin Clarke (Head Coach, FC Dallas) and former Kickers General Manager Curt Johnson (General Manager, Kansas City Wizards).
