RICHMOND, Va. – (Friday, October 9, 2020) – The Richmond Kickers (7-3-2) head west for their only match up against the reigning USL League One champions North Texas SC (4-3-5) this Saturday night at Globe Life Park. This match is set to kickoff at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be available live on WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466) and streaming on ESPN+.
The Kickers will be looking to get their first result in the series against North Texas, after falling on three occasions last season. A pair of meetings came at City Stadium with the first being a 0-3 loss on June 1, 2019, with goals from Dante Sealy, Ricardo Pepi and David Rodriguez. Nearly a month and a half later on July 13, 2019, North Texas claimed a 2-0 victory as Thomas Roberts and Callum Montgomery netted the goals for the visitors. Richmond made the trip out to Toyota Stadium, with North Texas taking a 4-0 win against the Kickers. Ronaldo Damus came up with a hat trick, followed by a fourth goal by Arturo Rodriguez.
Richmond got back to their winning ways Wednesday night, taking a 2-1 victory over Orlando City B. Jonathan Bolanos put up a man of the match performance with a first-half brace. The first came in the 27th minute as Orlando tried to clear a corner from danger. Bolanos met the ball at the top of the box and put a rocket of a shot into the back of the net. He continued to apply the pressure, which worked out after he was tripped in the box for a penalty kick. Bolanos quickly grabbed the ball to take the kick, sending his shot directly down the middle after the Orlando keeper already made the jump to his right. OCB pulled a goal back late in second half stoppage as the Kickers took the vital three points.
North Texas also had a midweek match, claiming a 3-1 road win at Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Wednesday afternoon. It was Chattanooga to get on the board first as Greg Hurst converted a penalty in the 22nd minute. The visitors leveled the score only four minutes later as Arturo Rodriguez slipped a free kick just inside the post. Three minutes into the second half, Rodriguez stood over another free kick. This time the ball went through everyone until Nkosi Burgess got a foot on the volley and put it into the back of the net. Alex Bruce scored an insurance goal in the 57th minute, putting away a penalty kick.
The Kickers will then get a week to recover, returning to City Stadium next Saturday night to host South Georgia Tormenta FC, presented by Elephant Insurance. Gates open up at 5:30 p.m. and kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. Catch the match live on WTVR CBS 6.3 and streaming on ESPN+. There are a limited number of tickets remaining at www.richmondkickers.com/Tickets.
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Richmond Kickers
Midfielder Jonathan Bolanos (#17) scored his first two professional goals Wednesday night to lead the Kickers to a victory over Orlando City B. The product of High Point University has made 11 appearances, including four starts in his rookie season. Midfielder Greg Boehme (#21) made his first start of the season in Wednesday’s win. He is in his third season with the Kickers, making 28 appearances during that time. Midfielder Matt Bolduc (#7) returned to the lineup against Orlando, filling in that right back role. Bolduc has one goal and three assists this season from 10 matches.
North Texas SC
Forward Ronaldo Damus (#11) leads North Texas in scoring with five goals and in assists with three after 11 matches. He is coming off a championship winning season last year that saw him score 16 goals and make three assists. Midfielder Arturo Rodriguez (#10) has two goals in five matches since recently rejoining North Texas SC after a loan spell with Real Monarchs. Rodriguez was a vital part of the team in 2019, scoring seven goals and adding ten assists. Forward Alex Bruce (#28) is in his first season with North Texas, scoring two goals this season, including converting a penalty Wednesday night against Chattanooga. Bruce was with Lansing Ignite FC in 2019, where he went on to score three goals in 23 matches.
