RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, July 21, 2015) – The Richmond Kickers announced today that defender Stephen Basso has been released from the remainder of his contract with the club in a decision made jointly between the Kickers and Basso.
“It is in the best interest of both the player and the club to allow Stephen to move on to his next opportunity,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “He is a consummate professional and I want to thank him for all he has contributed to the success of the past two seasons. He is a talented player and we look forward to seeing him back on the field.”
Basso made 10 appearances with the Kickers in 2015, earning eight starts. Joining the Kickers days before the roster freeze in August 2014, Basso made five appearances with the Kickers last season, bolstering the defense en route to a Semifinal finish.
Previously, the USL veteran defender made over 60 appearances and amassed nearly 6,000 minutes over three seasons with the Harrisburg City Islanders, contributing to 20 shutouts while adding four goals. The Columbia, Maryland native anchored the defensive unit that backstopped the club to the 2011 USL Finals, drawing Orlando City through regulation and overtime before conceding the title on penalties.
Prior to signing with Harrisburg in 2011, Basso saw playing time with now-defunct clubs Real Maryland and Crystal Palace Baltimore where he made over 40 appearances combined after spending the 2007-08 season with German side SV Darmstadt 98. The former D.C. United youth player spent two seasons with the Rochester Lancers of the Major Arena Soccer League, racking up 15 goals and 11 assists in 46 games played and most recently spent the 2014-15 season with the Ontario Fury.
