Richmond, VA – (Monday, July 20, 2009) – The Richmond Kickers continue a two-game road swing this Wednesday, July 22nd when they travel to face the Wilmington Hammerheads. Wednesday’s match marks the first of a three-game series between the league-leaders and kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at the Legion Sports Complex. The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium three days later to host an international exhibition featuring the Champions of Guatemala, CSD Comunicaciones at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now via RichmondKickers.com.
The Kickers meet the Hammerheads for the first time this season, having swept a three game series in 2008. The two teams last met at the end of the 2008 campaign, when a narrow 2-1 win at home, followed by a nail-biting 3-2 win on the road boosted the Kickers to a second place finish in the standings and a bye to the USL-2 Semifinals. Earlier in the season, the Kickers edged the Hammerheads 2-1 at UR Stadium, courtesy of a last-minute Ben Hunter tally. The results of all three matches were determined within the last five minutes of regulation. Overall, the Kickers hold a series record of 6-2-2 against Wilmington.
Currently, Richmond and Wilmington are in a three-way battle for first place in the USL-2 standings. Last weekend, the Hammerheads posted a 3-1 win over the Real Maryland Monarchs, with leading scorer Jamie Watson registering his second consecutive multiple-point game. The Hammerheads bring a 8-4-2 record, 26 points and one game in hand into Wednesday’s match. Wilmington recently ended a U.S. Open Cup run, which included a 1-0 Third Round upset over Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire and a 2-1 Quarterfinal loss to USL-1 side Rochester Rhinos.
Meanwhile, the Kickers maintained the lead in the standings following a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace Baltimore last Saturday. A scoreless first half gave way to a pair of Kickers goals after the restart when midfielder Joey Worthen converted a corner kick and forward Matthew Delicate volleyed home his 10th tally of the season soon after. Goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale and the Kickers defensive unit narrowly missed the shutout when Palace cut the deficit in the 88th minute. Despite conceding the late goal, the Kickers still boast the best defense in the league, having allowed just 13 goals in 15 games.
Following Wednesday’s match, the Kickers travel to Wilmington again on August 8th before hosting the Hammerheads UR Stadium on Saturday, August 15th to conclude the 2009 regular season.
USL Second Division Playoffs
The playoffs will feature the top five teams in the regular season standings. The fourth and fifth seeds will square off in a midweek First Round encounter August 19 for a spot in the Semifinals. The winner of the match will face off against the regular season champion while the second and third seeds meet in the other semifinal the weekend of August 21-22. The USL Second Division Championship will be played August 29 and will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel. All matches will be hosted by the higher seed, excluding the final, which is determined via bid.
Kickers Return Home Saturday For Historic International Exhibition
The Richmond Kickers are pleased to host Club Social y Deportivo Comunicaciones, Champions of the Guatemalan First Division, Liga Nacional, in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday, July 25th. The 2008/2009 champions will take on the Richmond Kickers in a historic international exhibition at the University of Richmond Stadium at 7:00 p.m. The match marks the first time in history the Guatemalan First Division team will play in Richmond. General admission tickets are $20 and are on sale now via RichmondKickers.com. Click HERE to order tickets in advance.
