The reigning goalkeeper of the year became the first to record 100 or more saves in a season on Sunday night
TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One announced on Monday that Richmond Kickers’ goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald was named to the league’s team of the week for week 27 following his performance in the Kickers’ 1-1 draw at South Georgia Tormenta FC that extended the first-place club’s unbeaten streak to seven matches. Fitzgerald’s team of the week-worthy performance is presented by Legends Soccer Co.
Fitzgerald returns to the league’s team of the week for the fifth time this season after previously being named in weeks 1, 2, 5, and 19. Fitzgerald was also named a nominee for the league’s April Player of the Month.
In the Kickers’ Sunday match at Tormenta, Fitzgerald was called into action to make seven saves during the match that included a split-second reaction diving deflection of a Tormenta free-kick that skidded underneath the defensive wall.
“I’m happy to have helped the team earn a point on the road,” Fitzgerald said. “The group showed great character and resiliency to get a result in stoppage time again. We are happy to extend our unbeaten streak and now our focus turns to Madison.”
Over the course of the 90 minutes played, Fitzgerald reached a new league threshold, becoming the first keeper to ever record 100 or more saves in a single season. The reigning 2021 USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year broke his own record of 89 saves in a single season – set last year – during the Kickers’ match at Chattanooga Red Wolves SC last month.
Currently, Fitzgerald has 21 more saves than second-place Carlos Valdez of FC Tucson. The Kickers’ defense as a whole has conceded the second-fewest goals in the league this season with 34 which is only four more than Union Omaha who has conceded the fewest.
The Kickers have two matches left in the regular season beginning with a road match on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Forward Madison FC before returning home to host Greenville in the USL League One regular-season finale. The club will host Fan Appreciation Night that night. Kickoff on Oct. 15 is set for 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.
Stay up to date with the latest news from the Kickers at RichmondKickers.com and on the official team app.