RICHMOND, VA (Thursday, June 17, 2010) – The Richmond Kickers continue their regular season road stand this weekend, when they visit the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday, June 19th. The Kickers return home to Richmond City Stadium next Tuesday, June 22nd to host the Real Maryland Monarchs in the U.S. Open Cup Second Round. The Kickers first-ever “White Out” kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and fans can purchase tickets for just $5.00 at the gate if they wear white.
The two clubs meet for the second of four times this season after battling to a 2-2 stalemate in Richmond to open the 2010 campaign. In nearly identical fashion to the 2009 home opener that saw Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte and Mike Burke connect on the first goal of the night, the pair did not disappoint with an 11th minute tally. Islanders forward Sheanon Williams leveled the score while Brian Ombiji gave Harrisburg the lead five minutes before the break. Delicâte came up big again to close out the night, converting a Sascha Görres cross in the 76th minute.
Over the past four seasons, the Kickers hold a narrow 6-2-4 record over the City Islanders. The heated rivalry continues as these opponents usually meet in high-stakes matches during postseason play. Richmond has not forgotten the 2007 USL-2 Championship match when Harrisburg stripped the defending champions of the title after nine rounds of nail-biting penalty kicks. Last season, the two clubs met in the 2009 USL-2 Semifinals. Scoreless through regulation and nearly two full overtime periods, 2009 Goal Scoring Champion Delicâte was able to find the back of the net after a scramble in the box left him open inches from the goal in the 119th minute. The last second tally narrowly avoided a penalty kick shootout and boosted the club to their fourth Championship appearance in five seasons.
Last time out, the Kickers suffered a devastating blow in Charleston, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Battery in their most recent regular season game. Delicâte notched his eighth goal of the season, ninth overall, to avoid the shutout. Meanwhile, Harrisburg battled Pittsburgh to a 1-1 draw last Friday night in their last regular season outing. Forward Nick Zimmerman registered the equalizer in the 85th minute to rally back from an earlier deficit. The Kickers currently reside in second place in the USL-2 standings, with a 4-3-3 record and one notch ahead of Charlotte and Maryland with 15 points. In the standings basement, the Islanders, 1-5-4, 7 points, are winless in their last four games, posting three ties and one loss.
Harrisburg and Richmond will clash twice more at the end of the season when the Islanders revisit City Stadium on July 31st before hosting the Kickers on August 7th.
White Out at City Stadium
The Richmond Kickers are just one win away from Major League Soccer, taking on the Real Maryland Monarchs next Tuesday, June 22nd in the U.S. Open Cup Second Round. The momentous match-up is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium. Regular admission prices will apply ($12/adults and $7/youth), but fans can purchase tickets for just $5.00 at the gate if they wear white to support the Kickers first-ever White Out.
Both the Kickers and the Monarchs needed extra time to advance past their First Round foes last week. After a hard-fought scoreless draw through regulation, the Kickers edged Crystal Palace Baltimore 1-0, courtesy of a 119th minute strike by Matthew Delicâte. Meanwhile, Maryland snuck past Reading United (PDL) with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory. The winner of Tuesday’s match will advance to the Third Round to take on D.C. United of Major League Soccer at George Mason Stadium on Tuesday, June 29th.
