Recap: Bolanos Brace Earns Kickers Victory Over Orlando

RICHMOND, Va. — (Wednesday, October 7, 2020) — The Richmond Kickers (7-3-2) picked up the 2-1 victory at City Stadium Wednesday night over Orlando City B (1-8-3). Jonathan Bolanos scored his first two professional goals in the first half to lead the Kickers to all three points. Orlando would get a goal back in stoppage time from Wilfredo Rivera. 

Eight minutes into the match a pair of blocks prevented Orlando from getting a shot off. The first came when Kenji Tanaka looked for a break on goal. Kyle Venter made sure to get a foot in his path to poke away the ball. Greg Boehme followed up, sliding through Raul Aguilera to stop the chance. 

The Kickers nearly got on the board in the 13th minute. Scott Thomsen served in a bending free kick from the left wing into the back post. Ivan Magalhães got his head on the ball, as his shot skipped just wide of the Orlando goal. 

The first professional goal for Jonathan Bolanos broke the deadlock after 27 minutes. Ryley Kraft served in a corner kick that found Magalhães at the back post. He headed the ball back in front of goal trying to pick out Kyle Venter as Orlando thought they had cleared it. Bolanos met the ball at the top of the box, going for a rocket of a shot that made no mistake finding the back of the net. 

Bolanos converted from the penalty spot to net a brace in the 43rd minute. Magalhães played the ball long for Bolanos to make a run into the Orlando box. Just before he reached the ball, Franklin Carabalí tripped Bolanos, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Having been fouled, Bolanos called to take the penalty, putting it straight down the middle of the goal to make it 2-0 to Richmond. 

Orlando had to play the final 22 minutes of the match down a man after a red card. After picking up a yellow card in the first half, Moises Tablante was called for a foul in the 68th minute on Matt Bolduc. The referee issued the second yellow followed by the red to send him off. 

The visitors would pull back a goal in stoppage time. Wilfredo Rivera chipped the ball out for Jonathan Rosales on the right. He took a touch before playing the ball right back into the box, finding Rivera making the run in. He got enough of a touch on the ball to put it just out of the reach of Akira Fitzgerald. 

The Kickers are right back at it Saturday night, as they hit the road to face reigning champions North Texas SC at Globe Life Park. Kickoff for that match is set for 8:00 p.m. ET and will be available to watch live on WTVR CBS 6.3 and on ESPN+.

Stay up to date with the latest news from the Kickers at www.richmondkickers.com and on the official team app.