GAME SUMMARY
Saturday, June 26, 2010 Charlotte Christian Stadium
Charlotte Eagles 1 (Ferrer 69’)
Richmond Kickers 1 (Delicâte 59’)
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Richmond Kickers (5-3-4, 19 points) battled the Charlotte Eagles (4-5-3, 15 points) to a 1-1 draw Saturday night at Charlotte Christian Stadium. Matthew Delicâte increased his lead in the league by notching his 10th goal of the regular season, 12th overall, to give the visiting side the advantage early in the second half. The lead was short-lived; however, as Eagles midfielder Miguel Ferrer leveled the score 10 minutes later. The Kickers head to Northern Virginia on Wednesday to take on D.C. United of Major League Soccer in the U.S. Open Cup Third Round before returning to City Stadium on Saturday, July 3rd to host the Charleston Battery during the second annual Independence Day Bash.
Both of the rival clubs settled in defensively to open tonight’s match, with neither side breaking through to the opposing goal. The Kickers stalwart defense made it difficult for Charlotte to find a rhythm early on as defenders Henry Kalungi and William Yomby were able to stifle their long-ball attempts while newcomer Chase Harrison protected the nets for the full 90 minutes. Meanwhile, the Kickers tested out their tactics and attempted to capitalize on the element of surprise with quick counters.
The Eagles were the first to build an offensive threat when Darren Toby received a cross from the right side in the 19th minute. Playing the ball back to Jorge Herrera at the top of the box, the renowned playmaker nearly struck gold but his determined volley sailed just over the crossbar.
Minutes later, Kickers midfielder Neil Barlow delivered a corner into the box from the left side. His inswinger found William Yomby in the air six yards from the target but his header was grounded and easily scooped up by goalkeeper Brian Edwards and the teams entered the break scoreless.
The second half restart began with a change in the lineup as familiar faces Matthew Delicâte, Sascha Görres and Mike Burke entered as substitutes. The three quickly combined to break the ice in the 59th minute. Görres crossed the ball from the left side, which was cleared to Burke on the right flank. Delivering the ball back into the mix, this time an Eagles defender could only tackle the ball and cleared it directly to Delicâte positioned at the top of the 18. With one touch on his right foot, he blasted the ball on the mark. It took a lucky deflection and buried deep into the left corner, leaving Edwards with little chance to stop the momentum.
Soon after, Charlotte brought the score even when they persistently pushed forward and gathered the ball in Richmond’s penalty box. The heavily marked Ferrer bent a rocket of a strike into the far right corner, which ricocheted off the inside post and over the line in the 69th minute.
With 10 minutes on the clock, the substation of Gustavo Bentos gave Charlotte another spark up front as he fired two shots from the top of the box but both missed just wide.
The Kickers saw the chance to pull ahead get cleared off the line in the 90th minute when a clearance from the Eagles ‘keeper was directed to Ross Mackenzie 40 yards out. He one-timed the ball from distance, which dipped over the outstretched Edwards, only to be saved by defender Greg Dalby at the last second.
The Kickers head to George Mason University to take on D.C. United this Wednesday, June 30th in the U.S. Open Cup Third Round at 7:30 p.m. Should the Kickers advance past their MLS foe, they will host the winner of the New York Red Bulls/Harrisburg City Islanders match at City Stadium in the Quarterfinals on Tuesday, July 6th.
Following this week’s Open Cup match-up, the Kickers return to regular season action next Saturday, July 3rd when they host the second annual Independence Day Bash. Beat the heat in the Kickers one-of-a-kind Splash Zone, featuring a 40-foot long slip ‘n slide, dunk tank, water balloons and more. Take advantage of delicious and affordable concessions. In addition, fans young in age and young at heart can enjoy soccer competitions on the field, games, Most Patriotic Fan Contest, moonbounces, face-painting, contests and inflatables. Festivities begin at 11:00 a.m. and the Kickers pro soccer game against the Charleston Battery kicks off at 1:00 p.m. Admission is just $4.00 per ticket before 12:30 p.m. and parking is free.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Charlotte 0 1 1
Richmond 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
59th minute: Richmond – Matthew Delicâte
69th minute: Charlotte – Miguel Ferrer
Lineups
Eagles: GK Brian Edwards, Josh Rife, Greg Dalby, Luke Williams (Gustavo Bentos - 64’), Brady Bryant, Darren Toby, Chris Klotz (Chad Smith – 56’), Jo Connor (Chris Lemons - 59’), Debola Ogunseye, Jorge Herrera, Kieren Keane (Miguel Ferrer – 45’)
Kickers: GK Chase Harrison, Evan Harding (Mike Burke – 45’), Roger Bothe (Charlie Reiter – 89’), William Yomby, Henry Kalungi, Luke Vercollone, David Hertel, Bobby Foglesong, Stephen Nsereko (Ross Mackenzie – 83’), Neil Barlow (Sascha Görres – 45’), Edson Elcock (Matthew Delicâte – 45’)
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Kickers: 9 Kickers: 2 Kickers: 7 Kickers: 3
Eagles: 9 Eagles: 2 Eagles: 14 Eagles: 2
Cautions:
61st minute: Jorge Herrera (Charlotte)
Ejections:
N/A
Referee: Saeed Mohamed
Assistant Referees: Jordan Shaw, Ben Franklin
Fourth Official: Larry Williams
Attendance: 903
Weather: Cloudy, 84º
