Kickers Defeated at Home by Toronto

RICHMOND, Va. — (Wednesday, October 2, 2019) — The Richmond Kickers (8-14-5) were defeated at City Stadium Saturday night by Toronto FC II (9-10-8). Jordan Perruzza netted a brace to give the visitors the victory. Mutaya Mwape scored his second goal of the season in the 9th minute from an assist by Eli Lockaby.

Eli Lockaby came up with a massive stop four minutes into the match. Ralph Priso served in a corner kick for Franco Ramos Mingo for a header. Lockaby was on the endline to block the shot as Maxi Rodriguez cleared it from danger. 

Mutaya Mwape gave the Kickers the lead in the 10th minute. Conor Shanosky got the play going, getting the ball ahead for Eli Lockaby on the midfield line. He took a touch to get around his defender and found space for Mwape to make a run up the right wing. 

Toronto leveled the score only four minutes later. Noble Okello received the ball and found Jordan Perruzza turning with space. He made a run into the box and went for the shot towards the far post. Rice got a touch on the ball as it slipped through and into the net for the tying goal. 

Wahab Ackwei and Charles Boateng nearly found the go ahead goal in the 37th minute. Ackwei worked his way through the Toronto backline to the left flank. He whipped in a cross that found Boateng in space at the penalty spot. The Ghanian tried to catch the shot on the volley, unfortunately putting his shot over the goal. 

Jordan Perruzza netted a brace in the 53rd minute to put the visitors up at City Stadium. Patrick Bunk-Anderson chipped the ball ahead for Jayden Nelson on the left wing. He centered a pass for Perruzza. The forward charged at goal and went for the shot towards the near post, firing it past Joe Rice.

A chance came for the Kickers to pull level in the 57th minute. From a corner kick, Mutaya Mwape powered in a cross to the far post. Wahab Ackwei was there for the header, putting his shot just barely wide. 

Joe Rice came up with a massive save in the 82nd minute. Luca Petrasso broke free up the left wing. Andrew Carlini found space in the center of the pitch to receive a cross from Petrasso. Rice came off his line to shut down Carlini before he could get a clean shot off. 

Toronto was reduced to 10 men in second half stoppage time. Franco Ramos Mingo picked up his second yellow card for a hard challenge on Charles Boateng. 

The Kickers will host their final match of the season against Orlando City B and Fan Appreciation Night this Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Fans over the age of 21 can partake in the extended Happy Hour special from 5:30-7 p.m. and enjoy $3 off their craft beers and wine. After the match has concluded, fans under the age of 14 are invited to partake in a post-match shootout at the North End goal. Meanwhile, fans are also invited to a post-match meet and greet with the players from 9-9:30 p.m. Tickets are available now at www.richmondkickers.com.