MATCH INFORMATION
Richmond Kickers (3-10-7) vs Saint Louis FC (5-8-4)
2017 USL Regular Season
Date: Saturday, July 29, 2017
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Stadium: City Stadium, Richmond, VA
All-Time Series: 2-0-0
At Richmond: 1-0-0
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466)
Online: USL Match Center
Hashtag: #RICvSTL
Twitter: @RichmondKickers and @SaintLouisFC
RICHMOND, VA — (Friday, July 28, 2017 — The Richmond Kickers (3-10-7) return to City Stadium Saturday night to host Saint Louis FC (5-8-4) and the Craft Beer Fest, presented by Loveland. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. with live music by The Folly, RVA food trucks, local breweries and over 30 craft beers on tap. Then the Kickers take on Saint Louis at 7:00 p.m. This match will be available live on the WTVR CBS 6.3 sub channel (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466) as well as online through the USL Match Center. Tickets and more information can be found at www.richmondkickers.com.
Saturday’s match will be the first meeting between the two teams since the 2015 season. The Kickers swept Saint Louis in both meetings that year, first defeating them on the road July 11, 2015 by a 3-1 scoreline with goals coming from George Davis IV, Jason Yeisley and current Kickers assistant coach Michael Callahan. Saint Louis took their only trip to City Stadium August 22 and walked away with a loss, following a 2-0 Kickers victory behind goals from Yudai Imura and Jason Yeisley. Saint Louis FC has a different look this season as former U.S. Men’s National Team star Preki took over as head coach before the start of the 2017 season.
The Kickers will play in their fourth match in ten days Saturday. The team is currently on a two-match unbeaten streak following their scoreless draw on the road at the Charlotte Independence Wednesday night. Matt Turner made six saves for the Kickers as he earned his third clean sheet of the season, the fourth overall for the team. Richmond earned their first win in two months last Saturday, hosting Bethlehem Steel FC. Two quick goals from Oliver and Luiz Fernando at the beginning of the second half, capped off by an 87th minute game winner from Samuel Asante sealed all three points for Richmond.
Saint Louis looks to bounce back from their last outing, a 1-4 home loss to Louisville City FC. Daniel Jackson scored his first goal for Saint Louis just before halftime, as Louisville rattled off four second half goals to take the victory on the road. This season, Saint Louis carries a 1-5-3 record when they are away from the confines of Toyota Stadium.
Richmond is back on the road next Saturday night, as they travel to take on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 7:00 p.m. at Highmark Stadium. This match will be available live on the WTVR CBS 6.3 sub channel and on the USL Match Center. The Kickers return home to City Stadium August 12 to host Orlando City B. Tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Richmond: Anchoring the Kickers backline and team captain, defender William Yomby (#2) is in his ninth season for Richmond. Yomby has appeared in five matches, including four starts this season. He has made over 225 appearances in a Kickers uniform and most recently helped solidify the clean sheet on the road at the Charlotte Independence Saturday night. Midfielder Oscar Umar (#17) has played in all three matches since signing with the Kickers. The Right to Dream Academy alum spent four seasons at Villanova University, where he made 74 appearances and scored seven goals and contributed 12 assists. Midfielder Matt Bolduc (#32) made his second appearance for the Kickers in Wednesday night’s draw at Charlotte. Bolduc signed just after the start of the season following spending the 2016 season with the Harrisburg City Islanders, making 16 appearances and adding an assist.
Saint Louis: Forward Daniel Jackson (#27) scored his first goal for Saint Louis in a losing effort against Louisville July 22. He has played in 13 matches this season, including three starts. Jackson missed most of the 2016 season due to injury while with Oklahoma City Energy FC, making only two appearances. In his first season with Saint Louis, midfielder Octavio Guzman (#17) has two goals and one assist in 16 appearances. Guzman spent three seasons with Sacramento Republic FC, including their 2014 championship season. The native of Guadalajara, Mexico scored on two occasions in 27 games for Sacramento in 2016. A St. Louis native, defender A.J. Cochrane (#4) is in his second season with his hometown club, netting one goal. The 16th overall pick of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, Cochrane made 26 appearances, including 19 starts over two seasons with the Houston Dynamo.
