Match Information:
Broadcast Information:
RICHMOND, Va. – (Friday, August 14, 2021) – The Richmond Kickers (5-6-5) return home to City Stadium to host the MLS-affiliate side, New England Revolution II (7-7-1) for the third time of the 2021 season.
The last matchup between Richmond and New England Revolution II was at City Stadium in early June. Richmond celebrated a 3-2 win over Revs II, marking their second three-goal game against the side this season. Richmond’s first match of the season was in New England against Revs II, Richmond held a clean sheet and put three past the MLS-affiliate side, earning a comfortable three points to start the season.
Richmond’s last outing was at Toronto FC II. TFC II enjoyed their return to Canada after playing the first half of the season split between two different venues. Due to travel restrictions, several Kickers players were unable to play in Toronto, which made way for several of the newer faces and players returning from injury to gain some match fitness. Ty Johnson, a 17-year-old from Richmond United made his pro debut and Devante Dubose made his first appearance after recovering from a knee injury sustained in the opening weeks of the 2020 season.
The match began with an unfortunate own goal deflection into the back of Richmond’s goal, giving Toronto an early lead. Richmond, content with soaking up pressure to counter-attack, strung together a set of passes to find Nil Vinyals running at the goal in the penalty box. Vinyals was taken down in the box and Richmond was awarded a penalty kick. Vinyals stepped up to the spot and sent Caleb Patterson-Sewell diving the wrong way to equalize.
For the next 40 minutes or so, both teams struggled to find the space necessary to convert their attacking opportunities into goals. But, around the 69th minute, Antonio Carlini found space at the top of the Richmond box and curled a well-placed shot into the goal-netting. Toronto FC II would see out the remainder of the match on top and get their three points at home.
New England Revolution II’s last match was against Richmond’s regional rivals, North Carolina FC. New England held a clean sheet at home and slotted three past North Carolina. Damian Rivera, Revs II’s highest scorer, scored the first goal, and Edward Kizza scored a brace in the second half. Revs 11 had 19 shots in total, won 57 duels, and finished with an 86.2% passing accuracy.
Richmond’s next match will be back on the road as the Kickers’ next matchup after New England Revolution II will be a rematch against Greenville Triumph. The Kickers faced Greenville in the opening match at City Stadium of the 2021 season. Greenville squeezed a win out of the game despite finishing the match with 10 men. Emboldened to pack up the defense with limited counter attacks, the reigning 2020 League One title winners put a ball into a dangerous area that ended with an unfortunate own goal by the Kickers. Greenville saw out the remainder of the match relentlessly defending their goal despite the Reds’ efforts to find a late equalizer. The match is set for August 22nd with kickoff at 7:00 p.m.
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Richmond Kickers
Juan Pablo Monticelli (#2) has scored in each match against New England this season, both coming from corner kicks. Monticelli just returned to the starting XI after picking up a knock against North Texas SC. Monticelli has 31 interceptions (second-most in the team), 27 blocks (third-most in the team), and an assist to go along with his two goals against New England.
Zaca Moran (#6) was absent in the match against Toronto FC II, however, he showed in the last match at City Stadium against FC Tucson how effective he is in the center of the park. Moran has an 81.3 percent passing accuracy, 21 interceptions (third-most in the team), and 41 tackles (most in the team). Look for Moran to be the link between the defensive and attacking lines.
Emiliano Terzaghi (#32) was awarded the USL League One Cleer Audio July Player of the Month award for his five goals throughout the month of July. Terzaghi maintained a passing accuracy of over 80 percent throughout five matches. Terzaghi is currently tied for second place in the running for the Golden Boot award he won last season.
New England Revolution II
Jake Rozhansky (#32) is New England’s top assister with five assists this season so far. Rozhansky is a central midfielder with a knack for playmaking. He has a passing accuracy of 93.1 percent (highest in the team) and has won over 50 percent of his duels. Rozhansky is a midfielder who can break up play and start new ones.
Damian Rivera (#72) is the leading goal scorer for Revs II with four goals. Rivera averages two shots a game and has a passing accuracy of 76.1 percent. Rivera is a menace at the top of the box and cannot be allowed much space.
Sean O’Hearn (#40) has played in several positions along the defensive line. Regardless of his positioning, O’Hearn is a strong defensive player who leads the team in clearances with 44 and blocks with nine. O’Hearn has won 78 percent of his tackles throughout the season. Look for O’Hearn to break up plays on the wings or in the New England box.
