GAME SUMMARY
Saturday, June 4, 2016 Nippert Stadium
FC Cincinnati 1 (Okoli 12′)
Richmond Kickers 1 (Roberts (Ownby)90+’)
CINCINNATI, OH – The Richmond Kickers were able to rescue a point on Saturday as they tied FC Cincinnati 1-1 at Nippert Stadium. Cincinnati took the lead in the 12th minute of the game but the Kickers equalized in the dying moments of the match through Hugh Roberts.
Cincinnati took the lead in the 12th minute through Sean Okoli. The home team sent a cross into the box, following a quick free kick, the ball deflected off a Kickers player and towards the goal, causing the Richmond goalie to be forced into a save, but only as far as Sean Okoli, who was able to tap the ball in the net, giving FCC a 1-0 lead.
Eric Stevenson almost doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. The Cincinnati player found himself in space 30 yards out and fired a shot that sailed just over Horton’s goal.
The Kickers were able to test the Cincinnati goalkeeper in the 28th minute. Yudai Imura found Travis Pittman in the middle of the field, who found himself in space and drilled a left footed shot right at Mitch Hildebrandt, who was able to collect the ball.
Charlie Horton came to the Kickers rescue in the 40th minute. Following good build up from FCC, Jimmy McLaughlin received the ball in the box and fired a strike towards the upper corner of the goal, but the Richmond goalie was able to stretch and collect the ball, preventing FCC from doubling their lead.
The second half of the match saw FCC continuing to create chances. Charlie Horton was called into action again as he had to dive down to his right, keeping the score at 1-0.
After dealing with the Cincinnati pressure, Richmond created their best chance of the game through Jason Yeisley in the 72nd minute. Luiz Fernando found Travis Pittman open on the right side of the field near the end line, he then one time crossed the ball, finding Yesiley wide open just outside the six-yard box, but his header was directly at FCC keeper, Mitch Hildebrandt.
In late stoppage time the Kickers pushed for an equalizer. From a corner kick, the Kickers sent up goalkeeper, Charlie Horton and from Sascha Görres’ corner, Jason Yeisley rose to meet the ball with his head but his effort was tipped onto the crossbar from Hildebrandt.
The game seemed destined for a Cincinnati win, but in the fourth minute of stoppage time the Kickers were able to equalize with virtually the last kick of the game. Yeisley found Brian Ownby wide on the right wing of the field, who would then cross the ball into the box finding Hugh Roberts making a run at the near post, who would one time volley the ball past the Cincinnati keeper making the score 1-1.
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.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Cincinnati 1 0 1
Richmond 0 1 1
Lineups
Cincinnati: GK Mitch Hildebrandt, Pat McMahon, Paul Nicholson (Evan Lee -56’), Harrison Delbridge, Tyler Polak (Derek Lee-87’), Kenney Walker, Corben Bone (Antoine Hopenot-80’), Andrew Wiedman (Omar Mohomed-74’), Eric Stevenson (Ross Tomaselli-67’), Jimmy McLaughlin, Sean Okoli
Kickers: GK Charlie Horton, Alex Lee, Braeden Troyer, Hugh Roberts, William Yomby, Travis Pittman (Sascha Görres-75’), Lucas Paulini (Nathan Shiffman-82’), Yudai Imura (Luiz Fernando-49’), Fred Owusu Sekyere (Jackson Eskay-90’), Brian Ownby, Anthony Grant (Jason Yeisley-38’)
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Cincinnati: 14 6 5 2
Kickers: 17 5 11 5
Scoring Summary
12th minute: Cincinnati: Sean Okoli (Unassisted)
90th minute: Richmond: Hugh Roberts (Brian Ownby)
Cautions:
7th minute: Sean Okoli (Cincinnati)
25th minute: Eric Stevenson (Cincinnati)
61st minute: Travis Pittman (Richmond)
68th minute: Alex Lee (Richmond)
90th minute: Brian Ownby (Richmond)
Ejections:
None.
Referee: Luis Guardia
Assistant Referees: Luke Sobota, Benjamin Miller
Fourth Official: Britton Maier
Weather: Scattered Showers, 74
