RICHMOND, Va. – (Friday, September 28, 2018) – The Richmond Kickers (6-21-4) head down to Raleigh, N.C. this Saturday night to face North Carolina FC (11-11-8) at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Kick off for this match is 7:00 p.m. and will be available stream online through ESPN+.
This match will mark the third and final meeting of the 2018 season, with the record in all-time meetings level at 3-3-0. North Carolina FC made the trip to City Stadium back on March 31 in the first meeting. Stephen Miller set up Daniel Ríos in the 43rd minute to put NCFC ahead before halftime. Yudai Imura converted from the penalty spot to level the score in the 77th minute. Brian Shriver sent in a ball in the 83rd minute for Raul Gonzalez to score the game winner. NCFC returned to City Stadium June 30, this time picking up a 3-1 victory over the Kickers in David Bulow’s first match as head coach. The Kickers looked to be on the front foot after just four minutes with Scott Thomsen setting up the early goal for Heviel Cordovés. Three second half goals from Austin da Luz, Ulrich Ewolo and an own goal gave the visitors all three points.
Richmond will be looking to get back in the win column after a 1-4 defeat at City Stadium to FC Cincinnati Wednesday night. Nazmi Albadawi put Cincinnati up in the 16th minute. Heviel Cordovés leveled the score for Richmond in the 32nd minute from a through ball from Luiz Fernando. A pair of goals by Emmanuel Ledesma before halftime gave Cincinnati a 3-1 lead at halftime. Following a lightning delay that lasted over an hour, Emery Welshman tacked on a fourth goal for the visitors.
North Carolina returns home after falling on the road to the Charleston Battery, 0-2. Both teams headed into second half stoppage time deadlocked at 0-0. Victor Mansaray scored a lone effort first for the Battery. Ian Svantesson doubled the Charleston lead right after set up from Kotaro Higashi. This match ended a two match road winning streak.
This Kickers come home to City Stadium October 6 for the final home game of the season for RVA is RED night as Nashville SC comes to town. Wear red and have a drink on us when the party starts at 5:30pm with live music by The Cary Street Ramblers, RVA food trucks and over 20 craft beers on tap. Kickoff for that match is at 7:00 p.m. and will be available live on ESPN+. Tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Richmond: Forward Heviel Cordovés (#16) scored his sixth goal of the season Wednesday night against FC Cincinnati. The Havana, Cuba native has made 22 appearances, including 14 starts since joining the Kickers in the offseason from the Charleston Battery. Forward Luiz Fernando (#71) recorded his third assist this season to set up Cordovés’ goal against Cincinnati. Fernando has played in 25 games this season and scored three goals to go along with his three assists. Defender Shaun Russell (#34) made his Kickers debut against Cincinnati Wednesday night. The Saint Francis University product played 90 minutes and recorded three tackles.
North Carolina: Forward Daniel Ríos (#14) leads NCFC in scoring this season with 17 goals, which puts him third overall in the USL. Ríos is on loan this season to North Carolina FC from C.D. Guadalajara, where he started in the club’s youth system before joining the senior roster. Midfielder Kyle Bekker (#10) has 11 assists for NCFC this season, which leads the club and is third in the USL overall. The Canadian international has four goals for the club since joining NCFC from the San Francisco Deltas. Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis (#1) has played in all 30 matches for North Carolina this season, recording seven shutouts this season. Tamabakis signed with NCFC after spending the 2017 season with Atlanta United, playing most of his games on loan with the Charleston Battery.
