Recap: Richmond 0, Charlotte 2

RICHMOND, VA – (Saturday, June 24, 2017) – The Richmond Kickers (2-8-5) fell to the Charlotte Independence (5-3-4) Saturday night at City Stadium. Enzo Martinez scored a brace for the Independence with a goal in each half to give the visitors their first victory at City Stadium.

The Independence looked to create a chance early in the 3rd minute. Joel Johnson started it off with a run up the sideline and played in a cross that just grazed the head of an oncoming Alex Martinez. The ball stayed in bounds and the Kickers were able to clear it away from danger.

Just a minute later the Kickers looked for a chance of their own. Raul Gonzalez found Anthony Grant in position, in line with the Charlotte backline. Grant made his run right as Gonzalez played in the through ball. Cody Mizell came sliding off his line to block the attempt from Grant.

Luiz Fernando delivered a cross in the 9th minute that nearly ended in a goal. Winning the ball out wide and on the edge of the Charlotte box, Fernando sent his cross into the far post to find Raul Gonzalez. Gonzalez chested it down for Anthony Grant as Mizell came out to put a stop to the attack.

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Charlotte would get the breakthrough they were looking for in the 44th minute after a penalty kick was awarded. Jorge Herrera at the top of the box slotted the ball through to David Estrada who was making a run into the Richmond box. He collided with Conor Shanosky and the referee blew for the foul and a penalty kick. Enzo Martinez stepped up and put the kick to Turner’s right for the first goal of the night.

A chance came for Richmond in the 52nd minute. Chris Durkin picks out Luiz Fernando just inside the Charlotte box. Fernando turned and put his shot to the far post as Mizell was there to make a diving save.

Enzo Martinez doubled Charlotte’s lead in the 57th minute. Callum Ross collected the ball inside the center circle and played it out wide to Joel Johnson. Johnson then sent a pass to Estrada and made a run towards the endline. Estrada slotted the ball through. Getting to the endline, Johnson connected with Enzo Martinez as he was on a run to the center of the Richmond box and just needed to get a head to the ball to find the back of the net for his second of the night.

Richmond pushed to get a goal back in the 68th minute. Jun Marques Davidson slipped in midfield allowing Chris Durkin to get the ball and start an attack towards the Charlotte goal. Troyer made a run up the sideline and Durkin picked him out with a quick pass. Troyer sent a ball into the box towards Franck Tayou. He was not able to get a foot on the ball and it bounced to Durkin, who also could not get a good shot on it.

Charlotte walked away with their first-ever win at City Stadium. Richmond outshot their opponents 24-9 on the night, but none found the back of the net.

The Kickers hit the road for three straight matches following Saturday’s encounter with Charlotte. First up, Richmond will head to take on the Bethlehem Steel FC for a 5pm kickoff July 1. This match will be available to stream live from the USL Match Center. The Kickers will return to City Stadium Wednesday, July 19 for a friendly match against Swansea City AFC of the Premier League. Tickets and more information can be found at www.richmondkickers.com.

BOX SCORE

LINEUPS

Richmond GK Matt Turner, Mallan Roberts, Conor Shanosky, William Yomby, Braeden Troyer, Chris Durkin, Yudai Imura (65’ – Finnlay Wyatt), Raul Gonzalez, Sunny Jane, Luiz Fernando (53’ – Fred Owusu Sekyere), Anthony Grant (53’ – Franck Tayou)

Unused Substitutes: Marcel DeBellis, Samuel Asante, Oliver Minatel, Evan Lee

Charlotte GK Cody Mizell, Austin Yearwood, Henry Kalungi, Joel Johnson, Bilal Duckett, Jun Marques Davidson, David Estrada (87’ – Casey Townsend), Enzo Martinez (76’ – Lewis Hilton), Alex Martinez, Callum Ross, Jorge Herrera (80’ – Jaime Siaj)

Unused Substitutes: Kyle Renfro, David Spies, Yann Ekra, Ashani Fairclough

STATISTICS

SCORING SUMMARY

CAUTIONS SUMMARY

EJECTIONS SUMMARY

MATCH INFORMATION

Referee: Greg Dopka

Assistant Referees: Mark Buda, Charles Raney

Fourth Official: Scott Ford

Attendance: 4423

Weather: Mostly Sunny, 83ºF