RICHMOND, VA – (Friday, June 3, 2016) – The Richmond Kickers (4-4-3) conclude a two-game road stand this Saturday, June 4 when they take on FC Cincinnati (6-2-2). The match will be broadcast live from Nippert Stadium through the league’s official Match Center, uslsoccer.com/match-center, at 7:00 p.m.
The Kickers’ grueling two-games-in-four-days road trip continues this Saturday, immediately on the heels of a dramatic U.S. Open Cup Third Round match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Wednesday. Conceding a goal in the 2nd minute, the Kickers rallied for the equalizer when Yudai Imura capitalized on Anthony Grant’s perfect through ball before the break. Inclement weather delayed the match for 30 minutes in the second half and neither team could break the stalemate following the restart, forcing overtime and a penalty kick shootout. Kickers goalkeeper Charlie Horton saved two of the Strikers’ penalties but the Kickers could not convert their four attempts to hand the Strikers the Fourth Round berth.
FC Cincinnati were also eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup earlier this week, falling 1-0 to NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies on the road. Tampa Bay claimed an early lead, which they held throughout the match, when Georgi Hristov rifled a shot past Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitchell Hildebrandt in the 11th minute. Cincinnati could not recover from the early deficit, ending their inaugural tournament run.
Resuming USL action this week, the Kickers look to return to winning ways this Saturday after dropping a disappointing 2-1 loss to FC Montreal last week. Suffering their first home loss of the 2016 campaign, the Kickers finished the match with 10 men following a red card ejection to Samuel Asante. Earlier in the match, a pair of penalties on each side of the field determined the final score with FC Montreal converting theirs before goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau denied Jason Yeisley’s attempt from the spot. The Kickers conceded a second tally late in the second half but Brian Ownby pulled a goal back with two minutes remaining to avoid the shutout at City Stadium.
Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati are unbeaten in their last six regular season matches, most recently adding six points to their third place ranking with back-to-back shutouts against Pittsburgh and Harrisburg at Nippert Stadium. Most recently, forwards Andrew Wiedeman and Sean Okoli contributed goals on either side of the half against Harrisburg and Hildebrandt posted five saves to backstop FCC to their second shutout of the season last week.
The Kickers meet USL newcomers FC Cincinnati for the first time in club history this Saturday, closing out the two-game series at City Stadium on Saturday, August 13.
Following Saturday’s road trip, the Kickers return to City Stadium to host the USA & RVA Festival on Saturday, June 11. The pre-game party starts at 3:30 p.m. with live music, interactive fan zone, RVA food trucks and over 20 craft beers on tap before the Richmond Kickers host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 5:00 p.m. Then, the United States’ group stage finale will be shown on the largest high-definition, outdoor LED screens in RVA on the main concourse at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
