The Rise to the Occasion Match Preview is presented by Great Harvest Bread Co.
Match Information:
Broadcast Information:
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers (3-3-1) are on the road at Forward Madison FC (3-1-2) to battle it out in the first 2021 Henny Derby on June 12th. Kickoff for this match is set at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Richmond’s previous match against New England was an exciting five-goal thriller with the Reds taking a 3-2 win. The match began with a 28-second opening-goal by Matt Bolduc after an exciting combination of quick passing on the left wing between Nil Vinyals and Jonathan Bolanos. Bolanos sent a low cross through the New England box for Matt Bolduc to control and finish with his left foot.
With the quick goal on the scoreboard the flood, the match would stabilize and New England would find its equalizer in the 30th minute. However, Juan Pablo Monticelli responded with a thundering header off a corner kick from Vinyals just before the first half ended. Richmond would go on to set up Emiliano Terzaghi for his third goal of the season. Despite a second goal from Revs II in the 76th minute, the Kickers would see the game out on top for the remaining minutes.
The Reds finished the match with an 80.3% passing accuracy, 13 shots and seven shots on target. Akira Fitzgerald made three crucial saves that helped see out the victory orchestrated by Vinyals in the midfield. Vinyals gained possession nine times and made four interceptions apart from his two assists and one second-assist on the first goal. Bookending Monticelli’s performance up and down the left wing was Esteban Calvo. Calvo had six tackles, one of them being a last-ditch effort to block a New England shot just a few feet from goal. Calvo also had four clearances, two interceptions and an 82.4% passing accuracy.
Moving ahead, Richmond can use this Henny Derby not only to renew a top rivalry in USL League One but also to measure themselves against another playoff hopeful. Forward Madison came roaring out of the gate with a record of 3-0-1 before last weekend’s loss against the top team in the league standings, Union Omaha. Forward Madison lost out after a 70th-minute goal by Emir Alihodzic sealed the deal, but they finished the game with a 69.9% possession and an 86.7% passing accuracy.
Forward Madison have had a loss and a draw in their last two matches, but they’re a dangerous team to underestimate — especially in the second half with eight of their nine goals on the season coming in the final 45 minutes. Former Greenville Triumph SC standout Jake Keegan leads the Mingos with four goals in six matches. The first Henny Derby at Breese Stevens since 2019, bragging rights for the entire summer are on the line as the two sides won’t match up again until September 1.
Richmond’s next match will be against league leaders, Union Omaha on June 19. The last time the two teams matched up Richmond saw out a win with a 71st minute goal by Ivan Magalhães at Werner Park in Omaha. This time around Union Omaha will be coming to City Stadium to defend their league position.
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Richmond Kickers
Nil Vinyals (#10) was all over the midfield against New England and was named the USL League One Player of the Week for his performance. Vinyals had two assists and a second-assist, 24 passes into the opposition’s half and an 81.8% passing accuracy.
Esteban Calvo (#20) is one of the many new additions to this Richmond team in 2021, but he has slotted in comfortably at the right-back spot. He blocked a crucial shot early in the first half against New England, had an 81.8% passing accuracy into the opposition’s half, and had the most tackles of the night with six.
Matt Bolduc (#7) opened the night with a bang with a 28-second goal with his left foot. Bolduc gained possession nine times, recorded an 88.2% passing accuracy in the opposition’s half and 25 good passes and crosses.
Forward Madison FC
Jake Keegan (#32) is Forward Madison’s highest scorer this season with four goals. Keegan won 100% of both his duels and aerial duels against Union Omaha and took two shots on target. Forward Madison will look to use Keegan as a central target man against the Richmond defense.
Audi Jepson (#20) was a solid option in the midfield for Forward Madison against Union Omaha. Jepson had a 91.5% passing accuracy, 54 good passes and crosses and an 87.9% passing accuracy in the opposition’s half.
Aaron Molloy (#6) plays as a deep-lying midfielder. Against Union Omaha, he made 49 passes into the opposition’s half and an 84% passing accuracy. He also led the team in tackles, with three, had one interception and gained possession seven times.
