Recap: Kickers Suffer Home Defeat to New England

RICHMOND, Va. — (Saturday, October 3, 2020) — The Richmond Kickers (6-3-2) suffered their first home defeat of the season, falling 0-4 to New England Revolution II (4-6-2) Saturday night at City Stadium. The visitors scored a pair of goals in each half to end the Kickers’ home unbeaten run. 

Four minutes into the match, Richmond nearly found an early goal. Mutaya Mwape worked his way to the endline, finding the space to get a cross into the box. Luke Pavone came crashing in for a header as his attempt sailed just high of the New England goal.

The Kickers were inches away from the opener in the 22nd minute. Wahab Ackwei was fouled on the right wing to set up a free kick opportunity. With Ryley Kraft and Mwape standing over the ball, it was Mwape that whipped in a cross towards the back post. Ackwei met the ball with a header as his shot flew just wide of the post. 

New England broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute from a corner kick. Tiago Mendoca played in a high-arcing cross to pick out Orlando Sinclair at the back post. His header came down onto the head of Kyle Venter, who redirected it into his own net. 

A penalty kick in the 31st minute would double the Revolution II lead. Mwape was called for the penalty after a tackle from behind on Colby Quinones, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Nicolas Firmino stepped up and put his shot to the right of Akira Fitzgerald for the goal. 

New England kept the pressure on Richmond in the 36th minute, with the woodwork coming to the rescue. A mis-hit pass at the back opened up the space for Firmino to pounce on the loose ball. With the space, he went for the shot from outside the box that pinged off the crossbar. Ivan Magalhães was there to clear it away. 

Emiliano Terzaghi was denied by the Revolution II keeper in the 54th minute. Stanley Alves got control of the ball at the top of the New England box. He played the simple through ball for Terzaghi. The Argentine battled for a shot that Keegan Meyer needed to parry over. 

The Kickers pressed to pull a goal back in the 64th minute. Scott Thomsen worked his way up the left flank and tried to pick out Alves at the back post with a long cross in. Alves managed to get his head on the ball, but his shot ended up going over the New England goal. 

New England would make it 3-0 in the 81st minute. Nicolas Firmino made his way to the endline before getting a cross into the box. As Justin Rennicks tried to get on the ball, it deflected off Mumbi Kwesele for an own goal. 

Revolution II scored their fourth goal just two minutes later. Mayele Malango worked his way up the right wing before cutting across the field. After managing to keep control, he took a touch to Damian Rivera. Rivera cut inside the box to find just enough space to chip a shot over Akira Fitzgerald for the fourth goal of the night for the visitors.

The Kickers have a quick turnaround once again this week as they host Orlando City B at City Stadium Wednesday night. This match is set to kickoff at 6:30 p.m. and will air live on WTVR CBS 6.3 and on ESPN+. Fans can still purchase tickets now at www.richmondkickers.com/Tickets.