RICHMOND, VA – (Monday, June 11, 2018) – The Richmond Kickers (4-6-1) will hit the road to face Penn FC (3-4-5) on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. It will be the Kickers first league game on the road since May 6 at Bethlehem Steel FC. Join the Red Army at Väsen Brewing for the Official Watch Party for Tuesday’s road match. The match can be streamed live on ESPN+.
Richmond has been facing Penn FC, formerly the Harrisburg City Islanders, since 2006. It’s a series that has been dominated by the Kickers who hold the 20-6-9 all-time record. The two clubs most recently met this year in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 23 at City Stadium. Luiz Fernando got the fireworks started with two goals in the first 22 minutes for the Kickers. Penn FC responded when Jorge Rivera notched two goals of his own, including the equalizer in the 60th minute. Richmond found its game-winner when Austin Yearwood’s cross connected with Heviel Cordovés’ swinging left-foot in the 83rd minute. The win advanced the Kickers in the U.S. Open Cup before they eventually fell to the Philadelphia Union.
The Kickers picked up three points at home with the 2-0 win over their rivals, the Charleston Battery on Saturday night. After a scoreless first half, Richmond struck first in the 62nd minute off a set piece. Brian Shriver drove a ball into the box that skidded off of Heviel Cordovés’ head into into the net. Red Army fans were happy to see Cordovés scoring the goal for the Kickers in the rivalry instead of against them after spending the past five years with the Battery. Luiz Fernando put the finishing touches on the win with a left-footed strike in the 90th minute. Richmond’s win snapped a two game losing streak from City Stadium and Charleston’s nine match unbeaten streak in USL play.
Penn FC narrowly escaped with three points in a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC II on Saturday night. Ken Tribbett scored two header goals quickly in the second half to give Penn FC the 2-1 lead. Toronto equalized in the 68th minute when Jordan Hamilton curled in a shot past the outstretched arms of the keeper. The two teams seem destined for a draw until a Toronto was called for a handball in the box of stoppage time. Jerry Ortiz walked up to the penalty spot and converted the chance in the 97th minute to give Penn FC the win at home.
It’s another short turnaround for the Kickers as they travel to Cincinnati on Saturday to play their third game in eight days at the Eastern Conference leaders, Cincinnati FC. Then, the Kickers return home on June 23 to host the Charlotte Independence for Summer Fest from City Stadium presented by Sticks Kebob Shop, Crossridge Family & Cosmetic Dentistry and Bounce 2 The Moon. The party starts at 5:30 pm with live music by Hazeltone, a one-of-a-kind splash zone featuring a 40-foot slip ‘n slide and a 20-foot water slide, human foosball, soccer darts, inflatable games, RVA food trucks and over a dozen craft beers on tap! Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and tickets are available now on www.richmondkickers.com.
Players to Watch
Richmond: Forward Brian Shriver (#21) delivered a beautiful ball for the assist of the free kick in Saturday’s win over Charleston, showing just how dangerous he can be in set pieces. Shriver leads the Kickers with three goals this season. Forward Dane Kelly (#29) made his presence known off the bench in Saturday’s win with an assist on Fernando’s late goal. Kelly has had a historic run in the USL as the USL’s career leader netting 57 goals. Goalkeeper Travis Worra (#48) picked up his second clean sheet of the year on Saturday. Worra was phenomenal with four saves in the match to bring his tally to 28 saves this season.
Penn FC: Defender Ken Tribbett (#4) shows that his value to the team is far more than just his ability to hold down the back line as he leads Penn FC with 4 goals. Tribbett’s two goals against Toronto powered Penn FC to the victory. Forward Tommy Heinemann (#29) is always a threat to score with three goals on 20 shots so far this year for Penn. Heinemann has MLS experience playing with the Columbus Crew and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser (#1) has tallied three clean sheets to his name in the 2018 season. The Frenchman is in his first year with Penn FC, having collected 20 saves in nine starts.
