USL2 LEADERS CLASH AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE FRIDAY
Kickers Host Rival Charlotte @ UR Stadium, 7pm
RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, July 11, 2007) – Fighting for top seed in the league, first-place Richmond Kickers host second-place Charlotte Eagles this Friday, July 13th for the first leg of a home-and-home series this weekend. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. The senior teams will conclude Friday’s doubleheader featuring the Richmond Kickers Future and the Delaware Dynasty of the Premier Development League, kicking off at 4:00 p.m.
Richmond leads the six-year, all-time series with a record of 11-5-5 over Charlotte (6-2-3 at home), including 1-0 decision on May 19th. The two teams will swap home field advantage, traveling to Charlotte to finish the series on Saturday, July 14th.
Last season, the Kickers led the Eagles 3-0-1 during the 2006 campaign, earning 10 points on Charlotte over the regular season. After winning the first two matches, 4-2 and 2-0 on May 12th in Charlotte and June 10th in Richmond respectively, the Kickers battled the Eagles to a 1-1 road draw before concluding the regular season with a 2-1 victory at home.
Post season play saw the Kickers advance to the 2006 Championship final due to a 2-1 aggregate score over the #4 seed Cincinnati Kings with a 2-1 score line at home during the first leg and 0-0 road draw to finish the series. Meanwhile, Charlotte defeated the #3 seed Pittsburgh Riverhounds 6-1 on aggregate after a 4-0 romp in Pittsburgh, followed by a 2-1 Charlotte win at home.
The Richmond Kickers captured their second USL title (third overall) on August 26th in a 2-1 battle against the #2 seed, Charlotte Eagles, live on Fox Soccer Channel. An early penalty kick, converted by Robert Ssejjemba and a 34th minute volley by former Kickers midfielder Chris Carrieri put the Kickers up 2-0 at the half. The two first half goals by Richmond went unanswered until a 90th minute strike by Eagles defender Ross Spencer.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Forward David Bulow (#10) joined the team mid-season but is quickly rising as one of the leading scorers, netting four goals in five regular season games played. Additionally, Bulow notched the game-winner over the LA Galaxy in the Kickers 1-0 win in the Third Round of the US Open Cup earlier this week, securing a quarterfinal draw. Rookie midfielder Ralph Pace (#4) made his professional debut on the starting lineup last weekend in New Hampshire on the road and earned Team of the Week honors for assisting on the Kickers only goal of the night. Captain Mike Burke (#19) and forward Robert Ssejjemba (#14) lead the Kickers with 13 points each with Burke’s league-leading seven assists and Ssejjemba’s six goals. The Kickers defensive unit, anchored by Kelvin Jones (#5) who contributed an assist on the Kickers lone goal in the Galaxy victory, backed by goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale (#22), posted its 9th shutout of the season with the 1-0 win over the Galaxy. Pascale has allowed just four goals on the season and holds a goals against average of just .363 in 11 games played.
Eagles: Forward Dustin Swinehart (#18) made eight appearances on loan with the Kickers First Division Finalist squad during the 2005 season and tallied one assist for Richmond that year. He currently is second on the team in scoring with five goals and three assists for 13 points. The 2005 USL2 Points Champion, Goal Scoring Champion and Most Valuable Player, Jacob Coggins (#20) was a 2006 USL2 All-League Second Team selection and currently leads the team and the league with 27 points on 11 goals and five assists. Defender Josh Rife (#11) anchors the Charlotte back line for his fifth season in Charlotte. Joining Rife on the back line this season is Steve Shak (#21) who spent the past three seasons with the Virginia Beach Mariners (USL1). Goalkeeper Daniel Benton (#1) ranks fifth in the league with a goals against average of 1.142 and five shutouts on the season.
US Open Cup Update
The Richmond Kickers ousted the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer in the Third Round of the US Open Cup last night by a score of 1-0. The lone goal of the night by Kickers forward David Bulow was enough to send Richmond to the Quarterfinal round of this year’s tournament. The Kickers will travel for the next round on August 7th, taking on the winner of the Chicago Fire (MLS) versus Carolina RailHawks (USL1) Third Round match up slated for Sunday. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s Open Cup run was stifled in the second round when they suffered a 1-0 loss to the Atlanta Silverbacks (USL1) on June 26th.
Richmond Kickers Future Closes Home Season Friday
The Richmond Kickers Future conclude the 2007 home season this Friday, July 13th, hosting the Delaware Dynasty as the first leg of a doubleheader with the pro team. The first match is slated for 4:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. With a 4-6-3 record and 15 points in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, the Future dropped a 1-0 decision to the Fredericksburg Gunners last week, five days after a 2-1 victory over the Northern Virginia Royals. Midfielder Jordan Evans (#2) leads the team with five goals and one assist for 11 points on the season while forward Delano Pierre (#11) has contributed 10 points on four goals and two assists.
