RICHMOND, VA – (Friday, June 17, 2016) – The Richmond Kickers (5-4-4) travel south to take on the Charlotte Independence (5-4-3) this Saturday, June 18. The match will be broadcast live from Ramblewood Soccer Complex through the league’s official Match Center, uslsoccer.com/match-center, at 7:00 p.m.
The Kickers return to Ramblewood Soccer Complex on Saturday looking to avenge an earlier season loss to Charlotte when late game dramatics and a controversial penalty call handed the Independence a 3-2 victory in April. Midfielder Sunny Jane gave the Kickers an early lead but Independence forward Caleb Calvert leveled the score just before the break. Kickers goalkeeper Ryan Taylor sustained a devastating season-ending knee injury early in the second half and Enzo Martinez punished 18-year old backup goalkeeper Sawyer Gaffney with a blistering goal minutes later. All was seemingly not lost when Kickers all-time leading scorer Matthew Delicâte buried the equalizer in the final minute of regulation before Jorge Herrera converted the stoppage time penalty to steal all three points.
Last week, the Kickers rebounded from a two game slide with a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at City Stadium. After a pair of first half own goals handed the Kickers the lead, forward Anthony Grant solidified the much-needed three points when he nodded home his first professional goal just past the hour mark.
Winless through their last five matches, Charlotte most recently dropped a 1-0 loss to Bethlehem Steel FC last week. After allowing a goal inside the first 15 minutes, the Independence could not recover from the early deficit, despite firing 12 shots.
The Kickers and the Independence conclude their three game series at City Stadium on Wednesday, September 14.
Following Saturday’s road trip, the Kickers return to City Stadium to host Summer Fest, presented by Bon Secours Movin’ Mania and Bounce 2 The Moon, on Saturday, June 25. The festival begins at 5:30 p.m. with live music, a one-of-a-kind splash zone featuring a 40-foot slip ‘n slide and 20-foot water slide, inflatable games, RVA food trucks and craft beer on tap before the Kickers battle Bethlehem Steel FC at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
