RICHMOND, VA – (Thursday, August 11, 2016) – The Richmond Kickers (11-6-5) return to City Stadium this Saturday, August 13 to host FC Cincinnati (12-4-5). The pre-game party starts at 5:30 p.m. with live music by Box Car, RVA food trucks and over a dozen craft beers on tap before the pro game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available in advance for $10 and include the chance to win a Momentum Rocker fat tire bike by Giant Bicycles, valued at over $600, with proceeds benefiting Richmond More. Additionally, donations benefitting Tech 4 Troops Project and Caritas will include a $5.00 off coupon for the Kickers pro shop at City Stadium.
The Kickers extended their unbeaten streak with a pair of back-to-back road wins last week. Opening the two-game road swing with a mid-week game against the Rochester Rhinos, goalkeeper Matt Turner saved a second half penalty to preserve the shutout as Yudai Imura’s lone goal lifted the Kickers to a 1-0 win over the defending USL Champions. The Kickers moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference Standings three days later when they edged FC Montreal 2-1. Midfielder Luiz Fernando gave the visitors a second half lead before the Kickers conceded a penalty in the 87th minute, but Imura struck again with less than two minutes remaining in regulation to steal all three points.
The Kickers now reside just three points behind third-place FC Cincinnati, who most recently handed FC Montreal a 2-0 scoreline last week. Outshooting their hosts 10-2, FCC picked up the decisive victory courtesy of forward Sean Okoli, who contributed a goal on either side of the half to put them within 10 points of the Eastern Conference leaders Louisville City FC.
Concluding a two-game regular season series this Saturday, the two clubs swap home field advantage following a 1-1 draw at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati in June. Okoli gave the home side the lead within the first 15 minutes and the Kickers waited until the final minute of second half stoppage time to level the score. Brian Ownby’s lofted cross into the box found Hugh Roberts who heroically volleyed home the last-gasp equalizer to salvage a much-needed point on the road.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Midfielder Yudai Imura (#14) increased his team-leading tally to nine goals after adding a pair of game winners on the road last week against Rochester and Montreal. Discovered at the Kickers 2015 Pro Tryouts, the Japanese midfielder has contributed six goals in his last five consecutive games and ranks seventh in the USL. Newcomer Scott Thomsen (#32) made his professional debut last Saturday, adding an assist on the Kickers opening goal in Montreal minutes after entering the match as a second half substitute. The former University of Virginia standout signed with New York Red Bulls as a Homegrown Player in 2015 before joining the Kickers mid-season. Returning on loan from the club’s official MLS affiliate, D.C. United, goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra (#50) made his first appearance in Richmond this season on July 30 when he backstopped the Kickers to a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls II. On loan with the Kickers for the majority of the 2013 season, the MLS veteran earned 2013 USL Goalkeeper of the Year honors en route to the 2013 USL Regular Season Championship.
FCC: Forward Sean Okoli (#9) earned USL Team of the Week honors this week for the fourth time after adding a pair of goals in FC Cincinnati’s 2-0 win in Montreal. Joining FCC after a 2015 stint with New England Revolution, he is currently tied for third in the USL with 11 goals this season. One of FC Cincinnati’s first-ever signings, midfielder Corben Bone (#19) leads the team and ranks third in the league with five assists. Bringing extensive MLS experience to FCC, the Plano, Texas native spent two years with the Wilmington Hammerheads prior to joining the expansion side this season. Goalkeeper Mitch Hildrebrandt (#1) has played every minute of every game during the 2016 campaign, leading the team in minutes played with 1,890. Signing with FC Cincinnati after four seasons with NASL side Minnesota United, he has backstopped FCC to six shutouts and a goals against average of 0.90.
