RICHMOND, Va. – (Monday, March 15, 2021) – The Richmond Kickers have invited three players to compete through the preseason in hopes of earning a spot on the official roster: goalkeeper Austin Causey, defender Chris Cole, and forward Sam Solomon.
“As we look for the best ways to develop our club and the best pathways to develop players, we want to open up channels of opportunity to young players and players from different backgrounds,” said Darren Sawatzky, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Chief Sporting Officer, “Austin, Sam, and Chris all come from good soccer backgrounds and are eager to earn contracts in professional soccer. They are now part of our club and part of our culture and it is up to them to earn their way into time under the lights at City Stadium. We will continue to open up opportunities to players as protocols allow.”
Growing up in Richmond, Causey joined Richmond United during the 2015-16 season, making 16 appearances in goal for the club. Moving back to his home state of Massachusetts, Causey joined the New England Revolution Academy, where he would play in 50 matches between 2016 and 2020. Following in his father’s footsteps in the goalkeeper position, he is the son of former Richmond Kickers shot-stopper, Jeff Causey.
A stalwart goalkeeper during his professional career, Jeff Causey manned the goal for the Kickers during their run to both the league title and the U.S. Open Cup Championship in 1995, playing in 25 matches and posting seven shutouts. The Kickers would end the season with just three losses and included a streak of 15 straight wins. He would go on to win the MLS Cup with D.C. United in 1996 along with his second-straight U.S. Open Cup, making 20 appearances in the inaugural first season of Major League Soccer. Joining the New England Revolution the next season, Causey made 64 appearances for the Revs until he retired from professional soccer in April 2002.
“We are excited to have three young trialists with us this preseason,” added Rob Ukrop, Richmond Kickers Chairman. “Darren has a keen eye for talent, and we look forward to evaluating Austin, Chris, and Sam in the coming weeks as we aim to strengthen our squad. It is especially exciting to have Austin with us for the preseason, not only as a former Richmond United player but also since his father Jeff was a defensive cornerstone of our Kickers’ success in 1995, leading us to USL league and U.S. Open Cup championships.”
A native of Duvall, Washington, Cole played collegiately at Seattle Pacific University. In his senior season in 2018, he made 15 appearances for the Falcons. He had an assist and scored the game-winner over Montana State Billings. In 2019, Cole played one season with the Seattle Sounders U23s in USL League Two.
Named the Capital Gazette Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2016, Solomon stayed in his home state of Maryland to feature at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Over his three seasons, he made 31 appearances for the Retrievers, scoring two goals. During his senior season, Solomon played for Northern Virginia United.
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