Richmond, VA – (Tuesday, April 15, 2008) – Former Kickers forward Ricky Schramm has signed as a Developmental Player with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, marking the 21st player to advance from Richmond to MLS.
“Ricky’s goal from the onset was to play in MLS and we are happy to assist him in that regard,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach. “Ricky was one of the cleanest technical finishers we have had at the club and he also had a knack of scoring important goals, no more so than in last year’s championship. We wish him all the best in his MLS career.”
Schramm made an immediate impact with the Kickers during his rookie season, finishing third on the team in points (14). Making five starts in 20 games played, he registered six goals and two assists. Additionally, Schramm tallied the Kickers lone goal during the USL2 Championship, leveling the 1-1 scoreline against the Harrisburg City Islanders to push the game into overtime and a penalty kick shootout.
A proven goal-scorer, Schramm tallied 39 goals and 15 assists for 93 points over his collegiate career at Georgetown. A two-time team MVP, Schramm finished his Georgetown career tied for third on the school’s all-time list in career goals and tied for fourth all-time with career points. Leading the team in scoring all four years, he was selected to the 2006 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Men’s Division I All-Northeast Region Third Team. Ranked third in the BIG EAST with 10 goals and fourth in the league with 24 points his senior year, he earned All-BIG EAST second team honors following the 2006 season after being named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year in 2004 and All-BIG EAST third team in 2005.
Native of Eastchester, New York, Schramm was selected in the third round, 37th overall, by DC United (MLS) in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft in January 2007.
In franchise history, 21 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 (NY/NJ Metrostars), 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, NY/NJ Metrostars), David Testo (Columbus Crew), Clyde Simms (D.C. United), Joey Worthen (Real Salt Lake), Robert Ssejjemba (D.C. United) and Ricky Schramm (New York Red Bulls).
Former Kickers alumni who also graduated to 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).
