RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers (0–2–1) advanced to the Round of 32 with a 1–0 victory over in-state foe Loudoun United FC in U.S. Open Cup play Wednesday at City Stadium. The Round of 32 Draw will be 9:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 2, live on CBS Golazo Network during the Morning Footy show.
Richmond found the 96th-minute winner, as Lucca Dourado fired home a Tarik Pannholzer assist to secure the victory and send the Kickers through in the U.S. Open Cup.
The Kickers found victory in a tightly contested match that saw Richmond consistently knock on the door in both halves. Goalkeeper Yann Fillion led a Kickers backline that held strong, coming up with key stops to keep the game level through stoppage time. Richmond allowed just two shots on goal, with Fillion coming up with a key save off a set piece to keep the match level in the 91st minute.
Loudoun United was led by Ethan Bandre who recorded one save.
Breaking Down The Action
- Loudoun United got their first shot on goal in the 17th minute, but Yann Fillion and the back line secured the stop.
- Darwin Espinal played a ball to Josh Kirkland, who carried it upfield and put a shot just outside of the net in the 18th minute.
- Loudoun pushed down the right side, but Sam Layton made a strong tackle to stop the attack in the 21st minute.
- Loudoun United entered the box, but Yann Fillion came off his line and made a diving stop in the 34th minute.
- In the 35th minute Ali Sasankhah found Espinal who fired from outside the box, with the Loudoun keeper making a save at the right post.
- The match remained 0-0 at the halftime whistle.
- Lucca Dourado came on in the 70th minute for Darwin Espinal.
- Austin Amer came on for Owen O’Malley in the 83rd minute.
- Loudoun United earned a free kick at the top of the box in the 91st minute that hit the wall, and their follow-up attempt was saved by Fillion.
- Landon Johnson came on for Kirkland in the 91st minute.
- Hayden Anderson carried the ball up the left side and found Pannholzer, who delivered a ball that Dourado sent in for the late winner in stoppage time.
- The final whistle sounded in the 102 minute with the score 1-0 in favor of the Kickers.
Notable Numbers
- 2: Richmond only allowed two shots on goal during the game.
- 9: The Kickers totalled nine shots on the night.
- 23: The backline tallied 23 clearances.
- 24: Richmond totalled 24 tackles on the night.
- 31: Richmond earned its 31st win all-time at City Stadium in U.S. Open Cup play.
- 32: With the win, Richmond advances to the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.
- 38: The Kickers now rank 6th in the U.S. Open Cup modern era with 38 wins all-time.
U.S. Open Cup History
- With the result, the Kickers are now 31-9-2 all-time at City Stadium in U.S. Open Cup competition.
- Richmond now holds a 1-0-1 record all-time against Loudoun United in U.S. Open Cup play
- The two clubs last faced each other on April 17, 2024, with Loudoun advancing to the round of 32 in penalty kicks 0 (5) – 0 (4).
- The Kickers are the only active professional soccer club outside of the MLS to have won a U.S. Open Cup, claiming the 1995 title.
- This season marks the club’s 26th appearance in the U.S. Open Cup overall.
- Richmond Chairman and CEO Rob Ukrop starred for the victorious 1995 side, playing striker and winning matchup MVP in the final vs. the El Paso Patriots.
- Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky played in the 1999 Open Cup and was a member of the Seattle Sounders FC coaching staff that won four titles between 2009 and 2014
Up Next
- The Kickers make their way to the west coast to face Spokane Velocity FC on Saturday, April 11 at 9:30 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on CBS 6.3 and ESPN+ with live updates and links available at richmondkickers.com or @RichmondKickers on X (Twitter).
