Club

RICHMOND, Va. — (Saturday, June 30, 2018) — David Bulow made his way to the sidelines and took over the reins of the Kickers on the same bench that has been patrolled by Leigh Cowlishaw for the past 19 years. However, in Bulow’s debut, it wasn’t meant to be as the Richmond Kickers (4-9-2) fell 3-1 at home from City Stadium to North Carolina FC (5-7-3). Richmond opened the scoring on a one-time volley from Heviel Cordovés. NCFC made the most of its chances in the second half and scored three unanswered, beginning with an own goal in the 59thminute, an Austin da Luz header in the 62nd minute, and ending with an Ulrich Ewolo goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

“This is the beginning of it,” Bulow said. “These things take time, but this is definitely a foundation. It’s the first step in a process.”

“It’s a transition period, so we’re getting adjusted to his style of play,” said Kickers captain William Yomby. “Coach Dave [Bulow] prepared us for this as well. We are two days into it. We will get things right. Today we were getting towards that.”

The David Bulow era got started with a bang in the fourth minute. Scott Thomsen collected a pass down the left sideline and sent a cross into the box. Richmond’s Heviel Cordovés broke free and fired a left-footed volley off the cross that found the back of the net to give the Kickers a 1-0 advantage. It was Cuban native’s fourth goal of the season, tied for the team lead.

The Kickers nearly doubled their lead in the 13thminute. Luiz Fernando played in a ball to the box that met the head of Raul Gonzalez. Gonzalez’s header was pushed just wide of the left post and North Carolina FC walked away unscathed.

Richmond squandered another opportunity in the 32nd minute off the counterattack. Scott Thomsen laid it off to Luiz Fernando down the left sideline from just outside the box. Fernando connected with a cutting Brian Shriver whose shot missed just wide of the post.

North Carolina FC had their first big chance in the 34th minute. Marios Lomis flicked in a cross to find Daniel Ríos, but Ríos’ attempt was corralled by Richmond goalkeeper Travis Worra for the save.

NCFC had its breakthrough in the 59th minute off the corner. Kyle Bekker’s cross found Austin da Luz before his header deflected off Richmond’s Alex Lee for the own goal to level the match at 1-1.

Just a few minutes later in the 62nd minute, North Carolina FC made the most of a set piece. Kyle Bekker again connected with Austin da Luz, and this time da Luz’s header immediately found the twine to give NCFC the 2-1 advantage.

Late in the match, North Carolina FC tacked on another goal from the penalty spot when Ulrich Ewolo beat Travis Worra to extend the NCFC lead to 3-1.

Following a nine day break, the Kickers return to action on the road as they travel up north for two straight, first heading to Penn FC Monday, July 9. They will then travel to MSU Soccer Park to face New York Red Bulls II Friday, July 13. Both matches will be able to stream online through ESPN+, with the Penn FC match available live on the Kickers Official Television Partners, WTVR CBS 6 on their 6.3 sub-channel (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466).

RICHMOND, Va. — (Saturday, June 23, 2018) — The Richmond Kickers (4-8-2) played to a 1-1 draw with the Charlotte Independence Saturday night at City Stadium. Brian Shriver put the Kickers ahead after six minutes as he put away a cross from Raul Gonzalez. Charlotte would double the score in the 20th minute after Cordell Cato slipped in behind the Kickers backline. 

The Kickers got on the scoreboard early after just six minutes from the team leading scorer Brian Shriver. Oscar Umar controlled the ball in the Richmond end of the field. He looked up and picked out Heviel Cordovés making a run up the left side of the field. He turned and cut across the top of the box and left the ball for Raul Gonzalez on the right side of the box. Gonzalez played in a cross to the back post as Kevan George got a head to the ball. Shriver was there to put away the deflection and put Richmond ahead.

Raul Gonzalez forced a save out of Andrew Dysktra to keep the Kickers from doubling their lead. Heviel Cordovés was tackled from behind by Je-Vaughn Watson to set up a free kick opportunity about 30 yards from goal. Gonzalez stepped up and sent his free kick over the wall and towards the far post, as Dykstra dove to make the save. 

Charlotte would tie it up through Cordell Cato in the 20th minute. Je-Vaughn Watson sent the ball up the field for Kay Voser right on the midfield line. He turned and found Cordell Cato making a perfect run in behind the Kickers backline. He went one-on-one with Trevor Spangenberg and needed to take a touch to get around Spangenberg and followed the ball in across the line for the tying goal.

Three minutes later and Brian Shriver looked for a second goal. After fighting his way up the right side of the field, Raul Gonzalez played a quick pass to Shriver. He quickly turned a went for a long range effort from about 25 yards out which forced a save out of Andrew Dykstra. 

Richmond nearly took the lead late into first half stoppage. After winning a corner kick, Brian Shriver sent in a cross and connected with Oscar Umar at the near post. He put a header on frame and it beat Andrew Dykstra, but deflected off the crossbar. William Yomby followed up with a header of his own, this time saved off on the line by Jorge Herrera. 

Seven minutes into the second half, Charlotte nearly found the go-ahead goal from a set piece. Jorge Herrera stood over a free kick on the left side of the field, about 30 yards from goal. He sent a cross in towards the back post, finding Je-Vaughn Watson for a header, that bounced just wide of Spangenberg and the goal.

Fred Owusu Sekyere nearly found the second goal of the night for Richmond in the 57th minute. Receiving a pass in the middle of the field, Owusu Sekyere played the ball out wide right for Alex Lee on the wing. Instead of going for a cross, Lee played the ball back for Owusu Sekyere who took a nifty touch around Kevan George. He then took a quick shot to the far post that skipped just wide of the net.

Nine minutes later, second half substitute Yudai Imura looked to get on the board for Richmond. Imura found Alex Lee out wide on the right wing. Lee fed the ball through for Raul Gonzalez inside the Charlotte box. Unable to find space, Gonzalez played the ball back for Imura rushing in. His shot rolled right to the hands of the Charlotte keeper Dykstra. 

Cordell Cato looked for his second of the night in the 79th minute, making Trevor Spangenberg come up with a save. Samuel Vines sent the ball out wide left for Alex Martinez up the sideline. He took a touch to get the ball over for Yann Ekra, who turned towards goal. Before colliding with Braeden Troyer, he was able to get a touch over for Cato. He went for the one-time effort, forcing Spangenberg to dive to his left for the save. 

The Kickers are back at City Stadium next Saturday night for BBQ and Bluegrass Night. Presented by Smohk, the party starts at 5:30 p.m. with live bluegrass music by the Cary Street Ramblers and craft beer on tap for only $22 ($16 for Season Ticket Holders). Includes an exclusive pre-game VIP party, traditional pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans and coleslaw by Smohk BBQ, two craft beers or sodas, and admission to the Richmond Kickers vs North Carolina FC game. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available now on www.richmondkickers.com.