Tarik Pannholzer Scores Fifth Goal of Season, Kickers Fall 2-1 to Charlotte Independence

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers nearly battled to a draw but fell 2-1 to Charlotte Independence on Saturday at City Stadium. Richmond equalized early in the first half and created several looks at another in the waning moments, but Charlotte held on for the narrow win.

Charlotte opened the scoring in the ninth minute through an own goal, but Richmond answered immediately when Tarik Pannholzer carried a ball from Owen O’Malley into the final third and buried it into the bottom left corner. The two sides continued to trade chances, with Yann Fillion making several important saves, until Charlotte regained the lead as Jon Bakero found Joseph Skinner in the 42nd minute. Richmond pushed for another equalizer in the second half, with Zahir Vazquez and Lucca Dourado each getting looks at goal, but Charlotte’s goalkeeper made the necessary stops to preserve the 2-1 result.

Charlotte was led by Joseph Skinner who solidified the lead for the visiting side.

Breaking Down The Action 

• Charlotte opened the scoring through a Richmond own goal in the ninth minute, 1-0. 
• Tarik Pannholzer carried the ball up the field and into the box before forcing a save from the goalkeeper in the tenth minute, earning Richmond a corner.
• One minute later, Owen O’Malley found Pannholzer at the top of the box who sent a cross into the back of the net to level the match, 1-1.
• Charlotte earned two set pieces in quick succession, but Richmond’s defense cleared both chances in the 14th minute.
• Charlotte broke away toward the box in the 27th minute, but Yann Fillion stepped up and dove down to deny the attempt.
• No. 3 Joseph Skinner restored Charlotte’s lead in the 42nd minute, 2-1.
• Charlotte sent a ball into the box and got a header toward goal, but Fillion rose to make the save in stoppage of the first half.
• Charlotte led 2-1 at halftime.
• Matt Bolduc entered for Mujeeb Murana at halftime.
• Ali Sasankhah replaced Dakota Barnathan in the 67th minute.
• Lucca Dourado and Zahir Vazquez entered for Pannholzer and Tyler Freeman in the 74th minute.
• Daniel Moore came on for Hanson in the 78th minute.
• Moore played the ball into the middle of the box, where Vazquez tried to redirect it into the goal in the 88th minute, but Charlotte’s goalkeeper made the stop.
• Charlotte created another chance, but Fillion shut down the attempt to keep Richmond within one in the 89th minute.
• The final whistle blew with a score of 2-1 in favor of Charlotte. 

From Coach Ownby:  

On what he wants to see from the team through the remainder of the season:

“[I’m hoping to see] just the hunger, the desire, passion – that’s what we speak about. I just want to see a group that goes out there and leaves it all on the field. Obviously we don’t want to turn it into transition defensively, but the willingness to run forward – to want to score. The more you do that, you put yourself in a good position to score some goals. We need to continue to put that in their minds, put that in the training sessions moving forward to the end of the year.”

Notable Numbers  

Series History  

• The Richmond Kickers now hold a 5-17-7 record against Charlotte Independence all-time.
• The two clubs last faced each other on July 25, 2026, with Charlotte claiming a 3-1 victory at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex

Up Next 

• Richmond makes their way to Hinchliffe Stadium for a matchup with New York on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Get your tickets for Hispanic Heritage Night today at richmondkickers.com/tickets and follow all of the action live at @richmondkickers on Instagram, Facebook and X (Twitter).