Kickers set to face their closest regional rival for the first time in 2022
Match Information:
USL League One Regular Season
North Carolina FC vs Richmond Kickers
Sahlen’s Stadium, Cary, N.C.
Saturday, May 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Broadcast Information:
Internet: ESPN+
Television: WTVR CBS 6.3
Official Watch Party: Gus’ Bar and Grill
RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (2-2-2) travel to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park for their first matchup of 2022 against regional rivals North Carolina FC (3-3-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST in Cary, NC.
The Roos hit the road for their first match in 14 days since hosting reigning titleholders Union Omaha on Saturday, May 14. Richmond earned a comeback draw in that match after the Owls opened the scoring in the first half before Owayne Gordon chipped the keeper in the waning moments of the first half to even the score. The match finished 1-1, and the Kickers are looking to build momentum from that result after their match against FC Tucson last week was postponed because of COVID-19 protocols.
Now the Kickers look to regain some ground against a rival that won the season series in 2021 as they tied the two matches against NCFC at City Stadium while falling in both contests down in Cary. The most recent matchup between the two sides in August 2021 ended in a 0-0 draw, but added to the Kickers’ run in the Fall that cemented a playoff position — their first since the 2016 season. The Roos totaled 12 shots and 5 saves during the match.
A familiar face will be seen on the other side of the pitch during the matchup as Oalex Anderson joined NCFC for the 2022 season. The winger played with Richmond during the 2020 and 2021 seasons and nearly earned a result with a close-range header for the Roos on the road in North Carolina last June.
NCFC is enjoying a much stronger start in their second USL League One campaign after struggling in 2021. North Carolina currently sits in fifth place — one spot higher than Richmond — in the league table while earning points in four of their first seven matches. During their last game, NCFC broke Greenville Triumph’s three-game winning streak with a 1-0 win.
Boosting the Kickers is the return of Jonathan Bolanos following the winger clearance from an upper-body injury suffered in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match against NOVA FC on April 6. The third-year pro enjoyed a strong preseason before earning an assist during a 4-0 rout of FC Tucson in his lone league appearance in the Kickers’ season opener.
Fans are encouraged to head to Gus’ Bar and Grill for the official watch party ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff time. Following the match in North Carolina, the Kickers return home to host four-straight home matches in 18 days beginning with Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on Wednesday, June 1. The match also marks Carytown Community Night presented by the YMCA of Greater Richmond. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.
