RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers hosted 5119 for the 2026 finale but fell 1-0 to Greenville Triumph SC on Saturday at City Stadium. Richmond won the possession battle and put seven shots on goal but could not find a second half equalizer.
Richmond created promising chances in the opening half with Tarik Pannholzer, Lucca Dourado and Nils Seufert all threatening, but neither side was able to find the back of the net before halftime. Greenville broke through in the 50th minute as Rodrigo Robles chipped in a breakaway opportunity to give the away side the 1-0 advantage. Yann Fillion kept Richmond within reach with several key stops, while Matt Bolduc made a timely clearance off the goal line in the 69th minute. The Kickers had multiple set piece opportunities in the final minutes including extra time but could find the back of the net before the final whistle.
Greenville was led by Rodrigo Robles who scored the only goal for the visiting side.
Breaking Down The Action
- Tarik Pannholzer carried the ball into the box on the right side and sent a cross toward goal in the 18th minute, but Lucca Dourado just missed the final touch at the far post.
- Zahir Vazquez sent a long free kick toward goal, but Greenville’s goalkeeper tipped it over the crossbar in the 19th minute.
- Richmond earned a corner in the 22nd minute, leading to a Nils Seufert header which was saved by the Greenville goalkeeper.
- Greenville created a series of chances inside the box, but Yann Fillion stood strong, making multiple stops to keep the match scoreless in the 44th minute.
- Dourado fired a long-range effort from outside the box just before halftime, but the Greenville goalkeeper made the save.
- The score was scoreless at half.
- No. 9 Rodrigo Robles opened the scoring for Greenville in the 50th minute, 0-1.
- Vazquez worked the ball inside the box to Dourado who got a shot away in the 55th minute.
- Zahir Vazquez redirected a Harold Hanson cross in the 57th minute but saw the ball sail just wide of the post.
- Greenville broke forward on the counter, but Fillion stepped up to shut down the attempt in the 57th minute.
- Greenville lifted an attempt over Fillion, but Matt Bolduc cleared the ball just before it crossed the goal line to deny the goal in the 69th minute.
- Darwin Espinal and Hayden Anderson entered for Vazquez and Bolduc in the 70th minute.
- Fillion dove down to deny another Greenville attempt in the 76th minute.
- Tyler Freeman replaced Dakota Barnathan in the 77th minute.
- Freeman tried his luck from long range on the right side in the 82nd minute, but the Greenville goalkeeper made the save.
- Austin Amer and Landon Johnson entered for Ali Sasankhah and Dourado in the 86th minute.
- The final whistle blew with a score of 1-0 in favor of Greenville.
From Coach Brian Ownby:
On the growth of the squad:
“We didn’t get some of the results that we wanted earlier in the year, but as we developed and grew into the shape we put ourselves in a position to win a lot of games. It just comes down to critical moments – our understanding of critical moments and how it sways with performances and results. This last month and half I thought the performances were pretty good. It doesn’t mean you always get the win, but to see the growth and improvement in the group – the mentality to run forward and back. When you switch off for one, it changes the game. I think that’s one area we need to continue to learn and grow in. Every moment matters in the game.”
Notable Numbers
- 16: Richmond tallied 16 shots on the night including seven on goal.
- 39: Saturday marked Richmond’s 39th match of the season across all competitions and 32nd in USL1 play.
- 53: Richmond won the possession battle, holding 53.6% on the evening.
- 106: Yann Fillion currently ranks second in USL1 with 106 saves on the season.
- 5119: Richmond welcomed 5119 for their final match of the 2026 season.
Series History
- The Richmond Kickers hold a 7-10-5 record against Greenville Triumph SC all-time.
- The two clubs last faced each other on July 11, 2026 with Richmond claiming a 2-2 victory in USL Cup action at GE Vernova Park.
