Match Information
North Carolina FC vs Richmond Kickers
Sahlen Stadium, Cary, N.C.
Wednesday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Broadcast Information
Internet: ESPN+
TV (Local): WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206/Verizon FiOS 466)
Spanish Radio: WULT Ultra 94.1FM and 1540AM
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers (4-4-4) make their second trip to Cary, N.C. inside of a month to face their regional rivals North Carolina FC (1-7-3) on Wednesday night for the clubs’ third matchup of the season. Kickoff at Sahlen’s Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. E.T.
Richmond’s last matchup was against Fort Lauderdale CF at City Stadium on Saturday, July 17. The Kickers trailed early following a successful counterattack by the visitors in the sixth minute when Mitchell Curry converted on Shaan Hundal’s assist. The Kickers would own possession and duels won, but, cruelly, the scoreline did not reflect the performance.
The match would experience two hours and 25 minutes of cumulative weather delays including a more than 90-minute break just seven minutes into the second half. When the match finally restarted at 10:04 p.m., the Kickers were on the frontfoot.
After creating chance after chance in the Fort Lauderdale half, the Reds would find their goal in the final five minutes — their third equalizer in two matches. Oalex Anderson pinged a cross into the box that Emiliano Terzaghi picked out of the air with his foot and guided it in for the equalizer. Richmond would press for the go-ahead but Fort Lauderdale held, and the Kickers gained an earned point as a consolation.
Resilience was the word on Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky’s mind after the match. In his post-match comments with the media, he praised his side for battling back to earn a point after an atypical delay to the match.
It wasn’t the first time he mentioned resilience last week. In the lead-up to the Fort Lauderdale match, he also praised his team’s resilience to come back twice before winning against North Texas SC — the first victory over North Texas in the club’s history.
And resilience will be the characteristic that he will look for in his team again against NCFC as it will mark the second match of a three-match in a seven-day stretch. The regional rivals just a few hours down the interstate currently sit ahead in the season series after earning a 2-1 victory over the Kickers back in late June.
Terzaghi began his current scoring streak — four goals in three matches — when he converted Ivan Magalhães’ assist in the opening minutes of that NCFC match to draw first blood. However, the hosts would battle back to score two goals in the second half and take the lead. Richmond would go down to 10 men in the second half but still nearly found an equalizer as the Kickers forced the issue and put the ball into dangerous areas in the NCFC side of the field.
Even more important than bragging rights, the Kickers have an opportunity to assert themselves in the league standings, ahead of the halfway mark of the season, with a result in North Carolina before traveling down to Statesboro, Ga. to face South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday, July 24. Tormenta, who currently sits fourth in the standings but only three points ahead of the Kickers, has played four more games than the Kickers so far this season. While the Reds must contend with the challenges of three matches in seven days, the opportunity is there to take the next step and continue rounding into form as the second half of the season looms.
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Richmond Kickers
Emiliano Terzaghi (#32) is writing his name in permanent marker in this segment. The Kickers’ talisman has four goals in three matches including three equalizers. The reigning USL League One MVP is rounding into form and close to matching his production rate from 2020 when he scored 10 goals in 15 appearances.
Stanley Alves (#21) was a firecracker in his first start of the 2021 season. He led the team with three shots while also recording one key pass during his shift against Fort Lauderdale. A physical presence on the forward line with his combination of speed and size, Alves can pressure opposing teams’ backlines and isn’t afraid to shoot when he gets the ball.
Ivan Magalhães (#4) is quite possibly the most underrated defender in the entire league. One-half of an incredibly consistent centerback duo, Magalhães has played the most minutes of any Kicker and he adds subtle technicality to his game. He showed against Fort Lauderdale that he is always a threat on set plays as he can be set up to rifle a shot towards the goal.
North Carolina FC
Jay Tee Kamara (#19) is one of the most influential players on the NCFC side of the ball. The midfielder makes intelligent attacking runs while still managing to be as fast with the ball at his feet as he is without the ball. He can both set up goals and create his own making him a threat anytime he is in the final third.
Max Flick (#4) is a capable defender with a well-rounded game. Currently the leader on his team in clearances and blocks, he is a nuisance for any team trying to advance play into the penalty area. Flick has also proven to be a threat on set pieces with two goals on the season so far coming from or starting from a set play.
Thorn Simpson (#44) is a new addition to NCFC after being loaned out from Molynes United. The Jamaican striker and his 6-foot-3 frame make him a target for service in the box. Simpson notched his first goal for NCFC over the weekend against Toronto FC II. Simpson previously made his NCFC debut against the Kickers at City Stadium back in May.
