Boateng Scores, Kickers Fall at Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — (Saturday, September 28, 2019) — The Richmond Kickers (8-13-5) were defeated on the road by Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (10-8-9) Saturday night at David Stanton Field. The home side took a 2-0 lead into halftime after a penalty from Ualefi and a goal from Sito Seoane. Charles Boateng pulled a goal back for the Kickers in the second half. 

Charles Boateng had a shot blocked four minutes into the match. Maxi Rodriguez sprung Dennis Chin on a run up the left wing. He went for the through ball ahead for Boateng as he was getting into the Chattanooga box. The Ghanian tried for a low, near post shot that the Red Wolves keeper was able to block away.

Three minutes later the Kickers went on the attack again. Josh Hughes knocked down an errant Red Wolves pass and quickly got the ball to Maxi Rodriguez. The midfielder drove into the box looking for the space for a shot. With his angle cut, Rodriguez looked for a cross in front of goal that was deflected away for a corner kick. 

The Kickers were reduced to ten men in the 23rd minute, leading to a penalty for Chattanooga. Sito Seoane picked up control of the ball and played a pass through for Amirgy Pineda. Braeden Troyer tried to get back in time to get a block in, instead he fouled Pineda from behind. The referee deemed the play a denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity, sending Troyer off and pointing to the spot. Ualefi stepped up to take the penalty, going to Akira Fitzgerald’s left, despite the keeper guessing correctly,. 

Akira Fitzgerald needed to come up with a save only two minutes later. Greg Hurst found space for a run, cutting across the top of the Richmond box, going for a shot. Fitzgerald reacted quickly to deflect the shot that Scott Thomsen eventually cleared from danger.

Chattanooga went up 2-0 in the 32nd minute. Richard Dixon got the play going pushing the ball ahead for Vangjel Zguro. He quickly turned to find Seoane making a run in behind the Kickers backline. He fired a shot inside the near post for the second goal of the night. 

Richmond had a chance to get back into the match in the 37th minute. Tony Walls was called for a foul on Josh Hughes on the edge of the Red Wolves box. MaxI Rodriguez took the ensuing free kick, putting it just over the bar. 

Eli Lockaby had a sneaking chance in the 57th minute. Receiving the ball out wide, it looked like he was going for a cross in towards the back post. When he hit the ball, it arched in towards the upper right corner. Alex Mangels needed to read the play to come up with the save.

Charles Boateng scored his first goal in league play to get the Kickers on the board in the 65th minute. Maxi Rodriguez won the ball in the Kickers end of the field with enough of a touch to get the ball to Mutaya Mwape. The Zambian picked out Boateng with a picture perfect ball. He settled the ball to put it on his left foot and let a shot rip into the back of the net. 

Trying to get his second of the night in the 72nd minute, Charles Boateng was only denied by a save from the Red Wolves keeper. Maxi Rodriguez spotted Boateng on the left wing with acres of space. He cut back to create space around his defender and launched a shot. Alex Mangels needed to come up with the big save to prevent the second goal.

With two minutes to go, the Kickers kept pressuring for the equalizer. Josh Hughes controlled the ball on the left flank and quickly put it into the path of Boateng. He charged towards goal. With no defender pressuring, he put a shot on frame that Mangels needed to stop.

The Kickers will close out the 2019 USL League One season with a two match homestand, first hosting Toronto FC II and Breast Cancer Awareness Night Wednesday, October 2. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the first 400 fans, ages 14 and up, will be given a Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirt presented by the VCU Massey Cancer Center. The midweek match will also be College Night for all the students in the Richmond area. Students with valid college ids can purchase $6 tickets at the booths outside the stadium. Finally, fans over the age of 21 can take advantage of Happy Hour specials from 5:30-7 p.m. that include $1 PBR can beers and $3 off craft beers and wine. Tickets are available now at www.richmondkickers.com.