RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, April 3, 2013) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that their MLS affiliate, D.C. United, will send goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra to Richmond on loan. Dykstra will train during the week with the Black-and-Red’s First Team and join the Kickers for games.
“We are pleased that Andrew has agreed to be loaned to us for games this upcoming year,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “He led Charleston to a championship under similar circumstances last season and we are fortunate to add a goalkeeper with such extensive experience. This is another positive example of how the USL PRO and MLS partnership can work to benefit all involved.”
A standout at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dykstra played in 73 matches over four seasons, totaling more than 6,500 minutes. He earned All-CAA honors twice and finished his collegiate career with 18 career shutouts. Spending four seasons with the Kickers Premier Development team (2005-2008), he made 50 appearances in a Kickers uniform, amassing nearly 5,000 minutes and posting eight shutouts.
Signing with D.C. United prior to the 2012 campaign, Dykstra spent most of the season on loan with Kickers USL PRO rivals Charleston Battery. Leading the Battery to a 12-6-2 record, he made 23 appearances en route to the USL PRO Championship title. While with Charleston in 2011, he led the league with a 0.98 goals-against average and 16 goals against, while earning the club’s Betsy McAdams Newcomer of the Year award.
Dykstra previously spent time with the Chicago Fire, signing with the MLS side in June of 2009, making 17 total appearances over two seasons. The former VCU goalkeeper made his MLS debut with the Fire on March 27, 2010 in the season opener against New York Red Bulls. Dykstra finished the season with a 5-6-6 record, including five shutouts and an 1.28 goals-against average.
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