RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, August 12, 2009) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to host the second annual Family Fest, on Saturday, August 15th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium (just off the Downtown Expressway). The Festival will feature food, live music, inflatable games for kids and fun for the whole family. The pro soccer game highlights the event as the Kickers host Wilmington Hammerheads at 7:00 pm in the USL-2 regular season finale. Bring the family before 6:00 pm and purchase a $5.00 ticket that allows admission for the whole group. Richmond Kickers regular priced admission ($12/adults, $7/youth) will apply after 6:00 pm.
Saturday’s match will determine the USL-2 Regular Season Champion, as the Kickers and the Hammerheads are neck-and-neck in the standings. The Kickers recently pulled into first place in the league after edging their former co-leaders 1-0 in Wilmington last weekend. Entering this weekend’s match up with 38 points and a record of 11-3-5, the Kickers are looking for three points over second place Wilmington to clinch the regular season title. With a record of 11-5-2 and 35 points, the Hammerheads will take on the Real Maryland Monarchs this Wednesday before traveling to Richmond on Saturday.
The Kickers and the Hammerheads conclude a three-game season series this weekend, having split the first two matches with one win apiece. The Kickers dropped a 3-2 decision in Wilmington on July 22nd before avenging the loss with a 1-0 victory in Hammerheads territory last weekend. Kickers midfielder Joey Worthen connected on a Sascha Görres cross for the lone goal of the game to claim sole possession of first place in the standings. Goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale posted two saves to record his eighth shutout of the season and fourth consecutive 1-0 win.
The 2008 postseason match-ups were also determined by a pair of late season games against the Hammerheads. 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. All three matches were determined within the last five minutes of regulation. Overall, the Kickers hold a 7-3-2 advantage against Wilmington.
Family Fest
The Richmond Kickers Family Fest will feature live music by local musicians, delicious food, arts and crafts, moonbounces and inflatable games presented by Bounce 2 the Moon, face-painting, the Long Branch Petting Zoo, and more. Also, soccer fans of all ages will be invited to participate in the U-TURN Soccer Zone for small-sided soccer games, juggle-a-thons and soccer drills, to be held on the field at the stadium, throughout the day.
In addition, Cobb Technologies, the leading document imaging solutions dealer in Virginia, is sponsoring a blood drive for Virginia Blood Services at the Richmond Kickers Family Fest. The blood drive will take place Saturday, August 15th, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. To register in advance, visit vadonor.com.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Defender Yomby William (#2) has been a stalwart on the Kickers back line this season, leading the team to eight shutouts and the lowest goals against record in the league. Most recently, he led the team to a 1-0 win in Wilmington, earning Team of the Week honors for the seventh time this season. A native of Cameroon, William joined the Kickers from the Puerto Rico Islanders (USL-1). Anchoring the defensive unit alongside William, German defender Sascha Görres (#23) has been dangerous on both sides of the ball, contributing five assists on the season. Görres and midfielder Joey Worthen (#8) had a hand in each of the Kickers last three victories, with Görres adding two assists and Worthen notching a goal and an assist in 1-0 wins against Harrisburg, Maryland and Wilmington. Recently named to the CAA 25th Anniversary Team, VCU graduate forward Matthew Delicâte (#7) leads the team in scoring, notching his eleventh goal of the season during the Kickers 3-2 loss in Wilmington. The Kickers star forward is ranked second in the league in points and is tied for first in goals. The VCU graduate returned to Richmond this year after spending three seasons with the Rochester Rhinos. Goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale (#22) posted three consecutive shutouts in as many outings, recording a combined 12 saves in 1-0 wins over Harrisburg, Maryland and Wilmington. The veteran netminder ranks second in the league with a goals against average of 0.842, holding the opposition to just 16 goals allowed in 19 games played.
Hammerheads: Forward Phil Hufstader (#11) garnered USL-2 Player of the Week honors last week after contributing a goal and an assist to a 2-0 scoreline in Pittsburgh. Also proving to be a menace to the Kickers, Hufstader led the attack and notched a goal in Richmond’s 3-2 loss in Wilmington. Honored on the USL-2 Team of the Week this week, Jamaican defender Dame “Tweety” Walters (#6) led the Hammerheads defensive unit in last week’s 1-0 loss against the Kickers, holding Richmond to just four shots on the night. A 2008 All-League Second Team honoree, Walters was named Hammerheads Defender of the Year last season. Forward Jamie Watson (#77) currently leads the league and the Hammerheads with 11 goals and five assists for 27 points on the season. Drafted by Real Salt Lake in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft at the age of 19, he made 35 first team appearances and notched two goals. Watson spent the 2008 season with FC Dallas before signing with Wilmington in 2009. Goalkeeper Daryl Sattler (#1) has made 13 appearances, posting five shutouts this season and recording a goals against average of 1.371, ranking fifth in the league. In addition to a successful regular season run, Sattler saved a penalty kick against the Carolina RailHawks to boost the Hammerheads to the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup.
USL Second Division Playoffs
The playoffs will feature the top five teams in the standings with Richmond, Wilmington, Harrisburg, Charlotte and Maryland clinching postseason berths. This weekend’s games will not only crown a Regular Season Champion but will also determine the First Round and Semifinal match-ups. The Kickers and Hammerheads are each guaranteed a home match in the Semifinal round on August 22nd with the winner of this weekend’s game hosting either Charlotte or Maryland. Meanwhile, the second place team will host third-place Harrisburg. Charlotte and Maryland will square off in a midweek First Round encounter on August 19th with the host site determined following this weekend’s regular season finales. The USL Second Division Championship will be played August 29th and will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel at a host site determined by a bid process.
