RICHMOND, Va – Alhaji Kamara has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 10 after scoring a hat trick on the road against Ottawa Fury FC this past Saturday.
Kamara, on loan from Kickers MLS affiliate club D.C. United began his hat trick performance in the 34th minute. Fred Owusu Sekyere chipped a pass over the Ottawa backline to find Kamara all alone with time to chest the ball down, turn and shoot into the upper netting of the goal.
With the Kickers trailing at the start of the second half, Jackson Eskay would be the one to set up Kamara’s second goal in the 49th minute. Controlling the ball out wide, Eskay placed a cross to the back post for Kamara to just need to head it in to score his second of the match.
To complete the hat trick, it would be Owusu Sekyere to create the chance in the 59th minute. Owusu Sekyere placed a left-footed cross to Kamara at the top of the Ottawa box. Kamara chested the ball down and took a quick shot to the far post to finish off his three-goal performance.
Kamara has played in eight games this season, making seven starts and netting four goals. His hat trick is the first for Richmond since George Davis IV against the Charlotte Independence April 18, 2015.
The Kickers are back at City Stadium this Saturday, June 3 as they host the defending 2016 USL Cup Champions New York Red Bulls II and the Kickers Fiesta, presented by Chicken Fiesta. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. with live Salsa music, all-you-can-eat Chicken Fiesta Taco Bar and Modelo on tap for just $22. Then, the Kickers take the field to take on Red Bulls II at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
USL TEAM OF THE WEEK
GK – Diego Restrepo, San Antonio FC: Restrepo recorded his fifth consecutive shutout with four saves as San Antonio remained undefeated with a 1-0 win against the Swope Park Rangers.
D – Jordan Burt, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Burt scored a pair of goals, including a late equalizer, to earn the Switchbacks a 3-3 draw against Reno 1868 FC.
D – Mickey Daly, OKC Energy FC: Daly scored the winning goal as Energy FC took a 2-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 last Wednesday night.
D – Tyler Polak, FC Cincinnati: Polak provided the assist on Danni König’s game-winning goal, and also made a crucial goal line clearance in a 1-0 win against Toronto FC II.
M – Junior Flemmings, New York Red Bulls II: Flemmings scored the game-tying goal in the Red Bulls II’s 2-1 win against the Charleston Battery, and threatened regularly with three shots overall.
M – Antoine Hoppenot, Reno 1868 FC: Hoppenot had three goals in two games as Reno earned four points with a victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC and a draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
M – Nick Besler, Real Monarchs SLC: Besler had a goal and an assist as the Monarchs claimed their sixth consecutive victory with a 2-1 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
M – Jason Johnson, Phoenix Rising FC: Johnson scored the game-winning goal to add to his earlier assist as Phoenix rallied for a 2-1 road victory against the LA Galaxy II.
F – Jorge Herrera, Charlotte Independence: Herrera scored his 43rd career goal to move into second all-time in USL history and added an assist as the Independence defeated Orlando City B 3-1.
F – Alhaji Kamara, Richmond Kickers: Kamara recorded a hat trick – the Kickers’ first since 2015 – in his side’s 5-3 defeat on the road against Ottawa Fury FC.
F – Sito Seoane, Ottawa Fury FC: Seoane scored the opening two goals as Fury FC notched its best attacking performance of the season in a 5-3 win against the Richmond Kickers.
Bench: Mark Pais (TOR), Neill Collins (TBR), Justin Portillo (CHS), Wal Fall (ROC), Charlie Adams (SLC), Joaquin Rivas (TUL), Cory Burke (BST)
