The Rise to the Occasion Match Preview is presented by Great Harvest Bread Co.
Match Information
Richmond Kickers vs Fort Lauderdale CF
DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Sunday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.
DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Sunday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast Information
Internet: ESPN+
TV (Local): WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206/Verizon FiOS 466)
Radio (Spanish): WULT Ultra 94.1FM/1540AM
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers (1-1-0) visit South Florida to take on Fort Lauderdale CF (1-2-0), Sunday night, May 2 at DRV PNK Stadium. Kickoff for this match is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
This match will be only the second meeting between the two clubs, the first being September 2020. Richmond won the tie in September after Emiliano Terzaghi scored two goals. Although Fort Lauderdale dominated possession with 64%, Richmond pulled away with 11 shots and six on target. The first of Terzaghi’s two goals saw the Kickers’ forward receive the ball from a throw-in, turn and dribble past several players before drilling a shot into the top corner of the goal. The second of his goals for the outing can be attributed partially to a corner kick by Ryley Kraft placed right at Terzaghi at the near post who flicked it on behind him to beat Dylan Castanheira in between the Fort Lauderdale goal posts.
Richmond will look to continue their impressive form in defense which saw Zaca Moran gain possession 10 times, make five tackles, and have one block in their first match against New England. Moran wasn’t the only outstanding defensive performance. Juan Pablo Monticelli who was the USL League One Player of the Week, even managed to score a goal without skirting his defensive responsibilities by making five clearances, two interceptions and gained possession six times. Akira Fitzgerald made three saves last week out against Greenville. Partnered with Ivan Magalhães’ three tackles, clearances, and interceptions the Richmond defense continues to improve.
The Kickers will head into this match looking to continue demonstrating their attacking prowess and new signings, as well as their defensive abilities which saw them hold a clean sheet against New England and kept the defending USL League One champs to just three shots on target.
Fort Lauderdale CF have played New England, Tormenta and North Texas scoring only 3 goals and winning just one of their three matchups with Shaan Hundal and Venton Evans scoring two and one goals, respectively. Fort Lauderdale’s goalkeeper leads the league in saves with seven and Modesto Mendez, the defensive back has the most passes in the league with 157 and the team as a whole has the most passes in the league thus far with 1,124 passes.
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Richmond Kickers
Jonathan Bolanos (#17) scored the Richmond Kickers opening goal for the 2021 season against New England with an impressive chipped ball over New England’s goalkeeper. Bolanos’ passing accuracy in the opposition’s half against New England was at an impressive 92.9%. He made 16 passes into Greenville’s half and had a 74% passing accuracy.
Oalex Anderson (#11) did not start against Greenville this past weekend but scored in a matter of minutes against New England with an impressive acrobatic chip over the goalkeeper from an awkward angle after a lightning speed burst of pace. Though he did not manage to score against Greenville, his entrance into the left-wing immediately made a dangerous impact to Greenville’s backline taking three shots and creating one chance in only 15 minutes of being on the field.
Zaca Moran (#6) continues to prove why he was signed this offseason for the Kickers. He was named in the USL League One Team of the Week for Week 3, and is a huge presence both defensively and offensively in the middle of the pitch. Zaca’s passing moving forward in the season will prove to be a huge proponent in this new Kickers team. With an 80% passing accuracy against New England and 84% against Greenville and even creating four chances against Greenville.
Oalex Anderson (#11) did not start against Greenville this past weekend but scored in a matter of minutes against New England with an impressive acrobatic chip over the goalkeeper from an awkward angle after a lightning speed burst of pace. Though he did not manage to score against Greenville, his entrance into the left-wing immediately made a dangerous impact to Greenville’s backline taking three shots and creating one chance in only 15 minutes of being on the field.
Zaca Moran (#6) continues to prove why he was signed this offseason for the Kickers. He was named in the USL League One Team of the Week for Week 3, and is a huge presence both defensively and offensively in the middle of the pitch. Zaca’s passing moving forward in the season will prove to be a huge proponent in this new Kickers team. With an 80% passing accuracy against New England and 84% against Greenville and even creating four chances against Greenville.
Fort Lauderdale CF
Shaan Hundal (#10) has already scored two goals this season and will be looking to add more to his tally. He seems to be a clinical finisher this season converting one of his two chances against Tormenta FC. Then in his match against North Texas, he scored a goal with his only shot on target, had a 100% passing accuracy and won three fouls.
Modesto Mendez (#17) is a competent defensive back when distributing the ball from the back and his 1124 passes in the league so far prove it. His passing accuracy against New England was at 97.3% and he completed 71 of his 73 passes. Mendez also had a passing accuracy of 85.7% in New England’s half.
Roberto Poplawski (#34) plays in the middle of the park and led the Fort Lauderdale squad in total passes(49) and most successful passes(37) in their match against Tormenta to win the game with a passing accuracy of 75.5%. Paired with a clinical finisher like Hundal, Poplawski is a player that may help to unlock the Fort Lauderdale squad.
