RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, July 28, 2010) – The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium this Saturday, July 31st to host the Harrisburg City Islanders and Pro Pass Buddy Night at 7:00 p.m. Pro Pass Holders are invited to bring a buddy (youth ages 3-17) to the game free of charge. In addition, the Kickers and MARTIN’S Food Markets are teaming up with the Central Virginia Food Bank to Kick Out Hunger. Donate non-perishable food items at the gate and receive a coupon for $5.00 OFF admission*.
The Kickers enter Saturday’s match-up in second place in the standings with a 7-5-5 record and 26 points. Edging the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last week, 1-0, seats the Kickers five points clear of the third-place Riverhounds and nine points ahead of the City Islanders, who bring a 4-7-5 record to Richmond this weekend. Aside from a berth to the postseason, the USL-2 runner-up is guaranteed a home semifinal fixture prior to the championship bout. With just three regular season games remaining, the Kickers need every point to secure City Stadium for the semifinals.
Last time out, Harrisburg dropped a narrow 3-2 decision to the visiting Charleston Battery. After falling behind by two goals in the first 20 minutes, the City Islanders rallied back to level the score on a pair of tallies by Jeritt Thayer early in the second half. Despite locking down the scoreline at two goals apiece, the City Islanders could not stifle the Battery attack, conceding the game-winner in the 83rd minute.
Over the past four seasons, the Kickers hold a 7-2-4 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. The two clubs meet for the third time this season after opening the 2010 campaign with a 2-2 stalemate in Richmond before the Kickers earned a 1-0 result in Harrisburg in June.
The City Islanders have a tough stretch ahead with four games remaining on the schedule, including a pair of matches each against the Kickers and Pittsburgh. Richmond and Harrisburg swap home field advantage next weekend to conclude their four-game series when the Kickers travel north on August 7th.
Kick Out Hunger Food Drive
The first day of summer has come and gone, and that means many low-income children in the Richmond community are now without the nutritious breakfast and lunch meals they received at school each weekday. The consequences of this change can be significant, both in cognitive and physical growth. The Central Virginia Food Bank fights hunger in the region by providing food and grocery products to an extensive network of partner agencies who serve our most vulnerable neighbors. The Food Bank also prepares and delivers hot, healthy meals to at-risk children in summer/afterschool programs and backpacks filled with weekend meal items for school children in need. These programs feed thousands of people in 31 counties and 5 cities in Central Virginia.
As a grocery store chain, MARTIN’S has a charitable mission to fight hunger. They participate in many programs to donate food and funds to regional food banks including the Central Virginia Food Bank.
Help us help others by feeding the community. Drop off your donation this Saturday at the Kickers pro game. For more information, visit RichmondKickers.com. *Regular admission prices $12/adult, $7/youth ages 3-17.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Rookie midfielder Bobby Foglesong (#14) notched his third goal of the season in the Kickers 1-0 win over Pittsburgh last weekend, and was named to the USL-2 Team of the Week for the first time in his career. A member of the Kickers Super Y-League program and Premier Development League team, the Fredericksburg, VA native is in the first class of players to rise from the Kickers youth to the pro ranks within the club. Forward Matthew Delicâte (#7) left the field suddenly last weekend in the 23rd minute, due to a gash above his right eye, but is expected to return to full form on Saturday. The Kickers leading scorer has notched 10 regular season goals, 12 overall, so far this season, leading the league in goals and points. Veteran Luke Vercollone (#4) has anchored the midfield in 16 games in 2010. The former New England Revolution midfielder has contributed to six shutouts overall, while adding a goal and an assist on the season.
City Islanders: Defender Jeritt Thayer (#18) brought the City Islanders back into contention last Saturday, notching a pair of second half goals to level the score against Charleston. The lone player to represent Harrisburg on this week’s Team of the Week, Thayer has made 16 appearances with the City Islanders in 2010. Midfielder Jason Hotchkin (#11) leads Harrisburg with 12 points on five goals and two assists. Most recently, he registered for the Islanders in the 1-1 draw in Pittsburgh two weeks ago. Goalkeeper Danny Cepero (#12), who starred for Harrisburg in 2008 while on loan from the New York Red Bulls of MLS, returned to protect the nets in 2010. Making 13 appearances in 2010, he has posted two shutouts during the regular season, adding a third in the Islanders 1-0 win against his former MLS club, New York, during U.S. Open Cup play.
Third Annual FAMILY FEST
The Richmond Kickers are pleased to host the third annual FAMILY FEST, presented by Union First Market Bank, on Saturday, August 14th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium (just off the Downtown Expressway). The festival will feature live music, food, arts and crafts, inflatables, video games, face-painting, a petting zoo, train rides and the largest inflatable obstacle course in Central Virginia, presented by Bounce 2 the Moon. In addition, join the U-TURN Soccer Zone on the field and participate in small-sided soccer games, juggle-a-thons and soccer drills throughout the day. The Richmond Kickers pro soccer game highlights the event as the Kickers host the Real Maryland Monarchs at 7:00 p.m. Bring the whole family before 6:00 pm and purchase a $10.00 ticket that allows admission for the whole group. Interested in becoming a vendor? Contact Emily Carnahan at emily@richmondkickers.com or 804-644-5425 x 310 or visit RichmondKickers.com for more information.
