A pair of penalty kicks separated the two sides
Disclaimer: Stats from the match are not available after they were not recorded by the home team
D.C. United Lineup: Alex Bono, Jacob Greene, Andy Najar, Hayden Sargis, Matai Akinmboni, Ruan (Lewis O’Brien 46′), Yamil Asad, Chris Durkin, Jackson Hopkins (Mateusz Klich 85′), Kristian Fletcher
Unused Substitutes: Luis Zamudio, Victor Pálsson, Donovan Pines, Christian Benteke, Russell Canouse
Head Coach: Wayne Rooney
Richmond Kickers Lineup: Akira Fitzgerald, Chris Cole, Simon Fitch, Zaca Moran, João Gomiero (Chandler O’Dwyer 69′), Matthew Bentley (Luke Pavone 69′), Jake Mecham (Michael Hornsby 61′), Justin Sukow, Nathan Aune, Emiliano Terzaghi, Owayne Gordon (Kharlton Belmar 62′)
Unused Substitutes: Will Palmquist, Beckett Howell, Otavio Zerbini
Head Coach: Darren Sawatzky
Goals by Half
Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
---|---|---|---|
D.C. United | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Richmond Kickers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring Summary
Minute | Team | Goalscorer | Assisted By |
---|---|---|---|
52′ | D.C. United | Yamil Asad |
Misconduct Summary
Minute | Team | Offender | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
27′ | Richmond Kickers | Emiliano Terzaghi | Foul |
60′ | D.C. United | Kristian Fletcher | Foul |
79′ | Richmond Kickers | Chandler O’Dwyer | Foul |
90′ | Richmond Kickers | Nathan Aune | Foul |
WASHINGTON — The Richmond Kickers were knocked out of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Third Round to regional rivals DC United of the MLS, 1-0, Wednesday night after the first-division club needed a lights-out goalkeeping performance to stifle the Roos.
DC United owned the lion’s share of the possession in the match while attacking without much teeth as the Kickers were stout on defense.
Akira Fitzgerald started between the pipes and commanded a back line of Simon Fitch, Nathan Aune, Chris Cole, and Jake Mecham. Fitch and Mecham patrolled the wings while Aune and Cole were quick to step to DC’s attackers. The Kickers’ No. 1 was quick to come off his line and collect the ball before DC could create a chance and he made a save in the 6th minute to keep the net clear.
Meanwhile, the midfield of Zaca Moran, Justin Sukow, and João Gomiero worked to cycle possession and get the ball up the wings where Matt Bentley and Owayne Gordon looked to create for themselves and feed Emiliano Terzaghi. The Kickers turned up the heat on DC United’s backline in the final 15 minutes of the first half and pressed for a go-ahead goal.
DC United’s Alex Bono who was making his first start in relief of usual starter Tyler Miller spent the night standing on his head as the Kickers moved the ball into dangerous areas and set up Terzaghi for some big chances.
The first half would end still knotted up at 0-0 with the Kickers taking the momentum into the dressing room.
However, it was DC United who found the breakthrough in the 50th minute after contact in the Kickers’ penalty area was determined to warrant a penalty kick for the hosts. Yamil Asad was the one to step up for DC and he converted his attempt in the 52nd minute.
Richmond pressed for a quick equalizer and nearly found it in the 55th minute. Bono was forced to make multiple successive saves as the Kickers got the ball into the box and chaos ensued at close range.
The Kickers earned a penalty kick of their own as momentum continued swinging in their direction. Kharlton Belmar, who entered the match in the 62nd minute, dribbled the ball into the box before having his legs taken out from under him in the 75th minute. Terzaghi stepped up to the spot and placed a low shot to the inside of the right post, but, to the dismay of the scores of Kickers fans who made the trip to Audi Field, Bono guessed correctly and saved the shot.
Several more half chances from set pieces would arrive for Richmond as they continued to methodically shut down DC on defense before cycling the ball up on the counter and earning a free kick and several corners. However, DC did enough to thwart any more chances on goal and the head official blew the final whistle after four additional minutes for stoppage.
The Roos gathered themselves and walked to the corner opposite the home end and thanked the dozens of Red Army members and Kickers fans who often cheered louder than the hundreds of home fans dotted along the rest of the stands.
The Roos return to the pitch this Saturday, April 29th when they face defending USL League One champs, South Georgia Tormenta FC. The official watch party will be held at Three Notch’d Brewing Company where there will be food and drink specials and fans will have an opportunity to win raffles. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Kickers’ next home match is Friday, May 5th against Union Omaha during the team’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration presented by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Doors are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.
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