Match Information:
Broadcast Information:
RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (4-5-5) return to City Stadium after completing a three matches in seven days gauntlet last week to host FC Tucson (4-5-4) for their first matchup this season. The kickoff for the match is set for 6:30 p.m.
Richmond’s previous match was the conclusion of their three matches in a week when they came from behind to earn a hard-fought point at Statesboro, Ga. against South Georgia Tormenta FC. The hosts opened up the scoring early with a penalty converted by Marco Micaletto. Richmond would proceed to turn on the burners for the rest of the first half.
Roughly 20 minutes after walking back out of the tunnel for the second half, Tormenta squeezed in another goal, but, before they had time to settle down, Richmond bounced back as Matt Bolduc pushed up the right wing and sent in a perfect cross that was met with another fantastic first-touch flick into the goal by Emiliano Terzaghi. With the scoreline 2-1, Richmond smelled blood and continued firing on all cylinders. Eventually, their resilience and relentless attacking helped Oalex Anderson find another goal off the bench, leveling the scoreline and finishing their road trip with an important point.
The last time Richmond faced FC Tucson was in the 2020 season at Tucson when the match concluded in a 2-2 draw with Victor Falck and Terzaghi putting their names on the scoresheet after a 0-2 comeback. Terzaghi converted a penalty to halve the scoreline before Falck converted on a set piece in the 93rd minute to level the scoreline.
The first time the two sides played in 2020 was at City Stadium in August when the Kickers earned a 2-1 victory in only its second match at home following USL League One’s return to play earlier in July. Ivan Magalhães opened the scoring with a header off a free kick. Terzaghi doubled the lead after Tucson failed to clear the ball and Richmond recycled play back to the eventual MVP who received the pass with his back to goal before quickly turning on it and beating the keeper. Shak Adams would score a consolation goal in the waning minutes of the match.
In the first half of the 2021 season, FC Tucson’s current form is similar to Richmond’s with both sides right in the mix of a crowded midfield in the USL League One table. Both teams will look for this game to propel themselves into a better position in the table with a win potentially raising either team up two or three spots.
Tucson’s last matchup was against Union Omaha and saw Omaha finish the match 2-1 with a win at home. Tucson managed to retain more possession with 54.3% but only scraped five shots throughout the match. Half of Tucson’s team had a passing accuracy of 80% or higher and may look to retain possession against the Kickers this weekend.
Richmond’s next match will be back on the road for its first international affair since 2019, after a short-lived return to City Stadium, to line up against Toronto FC II. Nearly two years later, the sides will line up across one another once again for the first time during the 2021 season. Kickoff for the match is set for 4 p.m. on Friday, August 6.
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Richmond Kickers
Oalex Anderson (#11) continues to wreak havoc when he walks on the pitch. Anderson has logged 477 minutes this season with a mix of starts and second-half appearances, registering three goals and two assists in the time. Anderson averages a goal or assist every 95.4 minutes and has managed to take the second-most shots (19) in the squad. Anderson was crucial in the comeback victory against Tormenta and his form and impact continue to prove to be important for this team.
Jalen Crisler (#15) currently has the most minutes logged in the squad (1,210). Slotting into a new team in the backline, his experience has been massive as the team retooled its defense. Crisler continues to show his expertise and calmness on the ball with 51 clearances, 17 interceptions, and 13 blocks at the midpoint in the season.
Stanley Alves (#21) was a regular face on the Richmond bench for the first several games of the season, making an occasional appearance towards the end of a match. But Alves has started the last two matches and shown his hunger for a goal. Alves took five shots on the Tormenta goal, four being on target, and had a handful of brilliant plays and dribbles into space to add to the Richmond comeback draw against Tormenta. With only 266 minutes played so far this season, Alves is picking up steam entering the second half of this season.
