RICHMOND, Va – (Friday, May 19, 2017) – The Richmond Kickers (2-4-2) embark for the first of a three-match road trip, traveling to take on the Rochester Rhinos (2-1-2) Sunday at 4:05 p.m. The match will be streamed live from Capelli Sport Stadium on uslsoccer.com/match-center and at the team’s Official Watch Party at Fat Dragon, located at 1200 N. Boulevard in Richmond.
Long-time rivals, Rochester holds a slight advantage over Richmond with a record of 8-10-10. Richmond claimed all six points from the two meetings with Rochester in 2016, first with a 1-0 victory April 9as Yudai Imura scored the game winner in the 61st minute at City Stadium. In the reverse fixture, Yudai Imura once again gave the Kickers the win, scoring off a free kick in the 75th minute on the road in Rochester.
Richmond comes into Sunday’s match following a 0-1 home loss to Christos FC (Md.) in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday, May 17. In their last USL action, the Kickers played the Harrisburg City Islanders to a 0-0 draw at City Stadium Saturday, May 13 with goalkeeper Matt Turner earning his first shutout of the season, the second for the team in 2017.
The Rhinos advanced to the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, taking a 3-0 home win over FC Motown. Rochester’s last action in the USL was April 29, hosting the Charlotte Independence and cruising to a 4-0 victory. A first half goal from defender Wal Fall, followed by second half goals from Mike Garzi, Darius Madison and Kenardo Forbes gave the home side the easy victory.
Following Sunday’s match, the Kickers will travel to Toronto FC II Wednesday for a 12pm kickoff before finishing off their road trip at Ottawa Fury FC Sunday, May 27 for a 2pm kickoff. Richmond returns home to City Stadium Saturday, June 3 at 7pm hosting the defending USL Champions New York Red Bulls II. Tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Stalwart defender William Yomby (#2) returned to the Kickers lineup Wednesday night, following missing the beginning of the season due to knee surgery in the off season. Having played 221 games in a Kickers shirt in 2009, the captain made 30 appearances last season contributing to 13 shutouts. Midfielder Finnlay Wyatt (#12) made his first start for the Kickers Wednesday night. The Longwood University product has made four appearances in 2017, all off the bench. Coming off an injury to start the season, Sunny Jane (#10) made his first start against the Harrisburg City Islanders May 13. Signing with the Kickers before the start of the 2016 season, Jane made 26 appearances, scoring five times and adding an assist.
Rhinos: Midfielder Wal Fall (#17) enters his second season with the Rhinos, with two goals in the 2017 season in five appearances. The cousin of current U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Jermaine Jones, the Frankfurt, Germany native played in 23 matches in 2016, scoring on two occasions for the Rhinos. Playing in his fourth season in Rochester, midfielder Mike Garzi (#13) has notched two goals in five matches so far in the 2017 season. The Colgate University product, Garzi posted two goals and assists in 2016. Defender Joseph Farrell (#15) enters his second season in Rochester after signing his first professional contract prior to the 2016 season. Farrell has one goal in five appearances in 2017, after scoring five goals in his rookie season.
