RICHMOND, Va. – (Tuesday, August 14, 2018) – The Richmond Kickers (5-14-3) continue their Canadian road trip Wednesday night as they head to TD Place to take on Ottawa Fury FC (9-10-4). Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and will be available live on ESPN+.
Ottawa claimed all six points between the first two meetings between the clubs in 2017. The first came at City Stadium April 15, where a midfield shot by Steevan Dos Santos was the dagger for the Kickers looking to pick up an early season home victory. A little over a month later, Richmond traveled up to Ottawa May 27 and battled to an enthralling 3-5 loss at TD Place. D.C. United loanee Alhaji Kamara netted a hat trick for the Kickers, but that would not be enough as goals from Lance Rozeboom, Tucker Hume, Jimmy Shammar Sanon and two from Sito Seoane downed the Kickers on the road.
Richmond will be looking to get back into the win column Wednesday night after falling to Toronto FC II Sunday night at BMO Field in the first leg of their Canadian road trip. The Kickers and TFC II headed into the locker rooms at halftime deadlocked at 0-0. Three minutes into the second half, Liam Fraser sprung Jordan Hamilton into space in behind the Kickers backline and only needed to slot his shot past Trevor Spangenberg to claim all three points.
Ottawa comes into Wednesday’s match on the heels of a 0-2 road loss to Nashville SC Friday night. Matt LaGrassa put the home side up in the 31st minute as Lebo Moloto played in a cross in front of goal. Brandon Allen converted from the penalty spot to double the Nashville lead in the 59th minute as they held on the the shutout and the victory at First Tennessee Park.
Following Wednesday’s match, the Kickers will return home to City Stadium as they play host to Penn FC at 7:00 p.m. It’s Family Fest presented by WTVR CBS 6 and Bounce 2 the Moon, with the party starting at 5:30 p.m. with a one-of-a-kind fun zone featuring human foosball, giant soccer darts and a 24-foot double drop slide, live music, RVA food trucks, ice cream, and over a dozen craft beers on tap. Plus, admission for the entire family is just $25 before 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Richmond: Forward Heviel Cordovés (#16) made his return to the Starting XI Sunday night, having three shots for the Kickers to try and get on the scoreboard. The Cuban international has made 17 appearances this season, with 11 of those being starts and logging 968 minutes. Goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg (#1) came out of Sunday’s match having made six saves over the 90 minutes. Spangenberg made his seventh appearances this season, where he has made 33 saves. Midfielder Matt Bolduc (#11) created three chances for the Kickers Sunday night in Toronto, making his fourth start of the season. The Peterborough, NH native has logged 402 minutes over eight appearances in his second season with the Kickers.
Ottawa: Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau (#16) recorded three saves last Friday night, tying him for eighth overall in the USL along with Kickers goalkeeper Travis Worra at 58 saves. The Canadian international is also tied for third for shutouts this season with 10 on the year. Forward Steevan Dos Santos (#8) played 60 minutes against Nashville, where he created two chances for the visitors. Making 18 appearances this season, Dos Santos is tied with Kévin Oliveira with four goals apiece for Ottawa this season. Defender Eddie Edward (#3) made two tackles and added five clearances Friday night in Nashville. Edward has played 1,800 minutes over 20 games this season with Ottawa.
