Match Recap

Next Home Match:

The Kickers’ next home match is set for Friday, May 3 when they host One Knoxville SC, for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The club will host an early Cinco de Mayo celebration at the match! Get your tickets now before we sell out!

Richmond Kickers 0 (4), Loudoun United 0 (5)

RICHMOND KICKERS	0 (4)	Nil Vinyals 122′ (P), A. Billhardt 124′ (P), D. Barnathan 125′ (P), J. Vaughan 127′ (P)
LOUDOUN UNITED FC	0 (5)	Z. Ryan 121′ (P), K. Tingey 123′ (P), Y. Leerman 124′ (P), A. Aboukoura 126′ (P), A. Skundrich 127′ (P)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers fell in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup to USL Championship side Loudoun United FC on Wednesday night. After keeping the higher division club scoreless through regulation, the Kickers fell 4-5 on penalty kicks.

The last time the Kickers went to extra time was in 2022 in the third round of the U.S Open Cup when the Kickers beat NC Fusion U-23. It also marked the first penalty shootout at City Stadium since the 2013 Open Cup when DC United snuck out a result.

The third-round matchup featured a first-time start from keeper Ryan Shellow who ended up making four saves and two clearances on the night, ultimately earning Keiter CPA Player of the Match. 

In the 19th minute, Nicholas Simmonds found Simon Fitch with a through ball. Fitch forced a corner and the ball from João Gomeiro swung towards the back post before the Loudoun keeper came out to grab it. 

Early in the second half, Christiano François broke through in transition but Shellow stood up in goal one-on-one to deny the shot from François and send it wide to be picked up by Dakota Barnathan and sent downfield. 

In the 57th minute, Adrian Billhardt crossed to Arthur Bosua whose strike deflected for a corner, the corner led to a bouncing ball that ultimately found Billhardt at the top of the box. His shot slid just wide, seemingly taking a deflection but ruled a goal kick for Loudoun. 

Shellow faced François one-on-one again in the 63rd minute and again stifled the forward from finding the back of the net.

In the 83rd, the Kickers built up the right side yet again. Billhardt took a strike that deflected for a corner. Vinyals took a corner that bent right in towards the far corner but Loudoun’s keeper Dane Jacommen got a last-second hand to it. 

In the second minute of second-half stoppage time, Billhardt broke through again at full speed and shot from the top left of the six to the bottom right that forced a fingertip save. 

In the 98th minute, Abdellatif Aboukoura struck from just outside the 18-yard box but Shellow got right behind it again, making the save easily and falling on it. 

After the 30 minutes of extra time, the score remained tied and the teams went to penalty kicks. Loudoun shot first and Zach Ryan snuck it just past Ryan Shellow who guessed right on the shot. Nil Vinyals answered confidently, sending Jacomen jumping the wrong way and burying the ball in the right side. 

Shellow guessed right again on the second Loudoun attempt as well but Keegan Tingey beat him to the back of the net. Billhardt answered and sent Jacomen jumping the wrong way as his ball sailed past him and into the left side. 

Shellow got a hand to the third attempt from Loudoun but it took an unlucky bounce to go in. Still, Dakota Barnathan found the back of the net with ease, pumping his fist to celebrate with the Red Army who moved all the way to the opposite side from Section O to cheer on the Roos. 

James Vaughan easily answered Aboukoura’s made penalty, Loudoun’s fourth, and the match came down to the very final attempts. 

Drew Skundrich scored on the final penalty attempt and Arthur Bosua stepped up to answer but Jacomen guessed right at the last second and got a hand to it in the final moment. 

Richmond will remain at home to host league debutants Spokane Velocity FC this Saturday, April 20th. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

Season Tickets are now available for the 2024 season! Fans can unlock massive savings, access to exclusive events, a complimentary CityStadium+ Membership and so much more. Be a part of every out-of-your-seat experience in 2024 with Season Tickets! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/seasontickets.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Richmond Kickers 4, Central Valley Fuego 5

RICHMOND KICKERS	4	9′ O’Dwyer (Hornsby), 26′ Fitch, 45′ Vinyals (penalty) 84′ Vazquez (own goal)
CENTRAL VALLEY FUEGO	5	33′ Dieye (Cerritos), 42′ Sukow (own goal), 46′ Dieye (Cerritos), 70′ Hanson, 86′ Falck

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (6-15-11, 29 pts) fell 5-4, Saturday night, to Central Valley Fuego FC (6-21-5, 23 pts) in the team’s season finale and the league’s highest-scoring match of the 2023 season.

The Kickers started fast, netting the first goal of the match in the ninth minute from the corner. Michael Hornsby drove a cross toward the front post as Chandler O’Dwyer got in front of his defensive marker. The Englishman rose up, lowered his head, and powered the ball into the net.

Hornsby's service 👌 O'Dwyer's finish 👏#RICvCV pic.twitter.com/6cXaoig5qN

— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) October 14, 2023

Richmond doubled its lead from the corner again in the 26th minute. Hornsby delivered another cross to the near post that O’Dwyer flicked on target. Fuego had the near post covered and blocked the shot, but the ball dropped to the feet of Simon Fitch who reacted quickly and fired a shot into the back of the net.

The homegrown kid, @simonf2017, nets his second pro goal 🫡#RICvCV pic.twitter.com/JP6f4zkmdp

— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) October 14, 2023

Fitch’s strike marked the second of his professional career after the homegrown defender netted his first professional goal earlier in the season at home.

Fuego halved the lead seven minutes later after Cherif Dieye hit a curling shot just inside of the box. Several minutes later in the 42nd minute, a shot from Razak Cromwell deflected off of Justin Sukow and into the net.

The Kickers regained their lead right before the end of the half. Beckett Howell – making his fourth-ever professional start – completed a heroic run up the right wing, dodging a tackle, and cutting the ball into the box before lacing a pass to Luke Pavone. As Pavone collected the ball, he was taken to the ground by the Fuego goalkeeper and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

Vinyals buried his penalty kick attempt, marking his second-straight match with a converted penalty.

Vinyals delivers from the spot!#RICvCV pic.twitter.com/G5gSINEUgi

— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) October 14, 2023

In the 46th minute, Dieye found an equalizer after picking out the top-right corner with a curling shot. Harold Hanson earned Fuego’s first lead of the night in the 70th minute after converting a rebounded shot.

Vinyals delivered the Kickers’ equalizer in the 84th minute from the left corner. The midfielder played a cross to the middle of the box that caught the top of the foot of Fuego’s Zahir Vazquez and deflected into the net.

A nine-goal thriller 😱

The @RichmondKickers and @fuego_futbol combined for the second-highest scoring game in league history!#RICvCV // https://t.co/NEj9xveggy pic.twitter.com/0NUJFak7cy

— USL League One (@USLLeagueOne) October 15, 2023

Fuego found the final lead change of the night in the 86th minute after Victor Falck earned a one-on-one with Akira Fitzgerald and squeezed a shot on target as the keeper came off his line to shut down the attempt.

The season series against Fuego ended split after the Kickers earned a 2-1 win in June at Fresno before the two sides drew 3-3 at City Stadium in August.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

One Knoxville 2, Richmond Kickers 2

RICHMOND KICKERS	2	32′ Vinyals (penalty), 86′ Vinyals (Fitch)
ONE KNOXVILLE	2	4′ Bentley (own goal), 38′ Ilić (Waldeck)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Richmond Kickers (6-14-11, 29 pts) drew Friday night against One Knoxville SC (9-11-11, 38 pts) after Nil Vinyals netted equalizers in each half to secure the point. The season series against the league debutants ended tied with both matches ending in draws.

Knoxville got on the board early with a Knoxville corner resulting in a Richmond own goal in the opening four minutes. As the ball flew into the Kickers’ penalty area, Matthew Bentley appeared to be pushed in the back by a Knoxville player as he tried to clear the ball with his head and it deflected in.

In the 10th minute, after two rebound saves from Will Palmquist, another Knoxville corner flew to the back post where he made another save and left back Beckett Howell cleared it.

An attempt from Hornsby from the top left corner of the box flew just barely over the crossbar minutes later.

In the 25th minute, another One Knox corner turned into an option at the top of the box for Knoxville right midfielder Derek Waldeck. But, Palmquist completely denied the attempt, sending the ball over the top of the crossbar and out of play.

In the 30th minute, midfielder Nil Vinyals was fouled in the box, trying to make a touch on a low cross from rightback Simon Fitch. After Knox’s Jalen Crisler took him down, Vinyals went to the spot and buried his attempt in the top left corner with the keeper Sean Lewis diving the other way.

Knoxville took the lead again though, in the 38th, Waldeck found Ilija Ilić on the run at the top of the box and got a shot off right before Palmquist arrived from coming off his line.

Waldeck set up another push for One Knox. His cross found the head of Ilić but Palmquist dove with one hand to his right and made the save. He made another shortly after in the 58th stopping another approach from Waldeck and making a save on the ground, this time to his left.

Richmond saw several attempts in the second half that nearly found the back of the net. Bentley took the keeper on one-on-one after shaking two Knoxville defenders in the 74th minute but Lewis was able to get his hands to it.

In the 77th minute, the Kickers sent fresh legs onto the pitch. Landon Johnson and Nick Simmonds, joined by Ethan Vanacore-Decker, stepped on the pitch to push the One Knox defenders. The trio replaced, Hornsby, Bentley, and midfielder João Gomiero respectively.

Beckett Howell swung a cross in off a pass from Vinyals in the 80th minute but Lewis got in the way again. A low, cross-field through ball from Simmonds in the 83rd minute sliced through the Knox midfield and found Ryan Sierakowski, but he was knocked off his feet by the closing defender and the ball was sent away.

In the 85th, constant pressure from the Kickers finally was rewarded with the ball in the back of the net. Vinyals, captaining the team tonight, scored his second on the night, ripping a shot with his weak foot from well outside of the box to beat Lewis and find the bottom left corner.

Fitch got the scoring play started with the last pass to Vinyals, earning his team-leading fourth assist of the season.

The Kickers’ defense held the score even through to the end, after four minutes of extra time. Richmond was able to play spoiler in the match as the resulting draw knocked One Knox out of playoff contention.

The Kickers return home for their season finale on Saturday, Oct. 14th to host Central Valley Fuego FC during Fan Appreciation Night presented by FeedMore. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 4:45 p.m. ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Richmond Kickers 0, South Georgia Tormenta FC 1

RICHMOND KICKERS	0
SOUTH GEORGIA TORMENTA FC	1	70′ Kazaiah Sterling (penalty)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (6-14-10, 28 pts) fell Saturday evening, to South Georgia Tormenta FC (12-5-13, 41 pts) in their penultimate home match. After tonight’s result, the teams split the season series 1-1-1.

The match had quick back and forth early and after a Tormenta set piece, the Kickers found a way to push the matter within the first 10 minutes. João Gomiero broke upfield through the midfield. Moving with midfielder Nil Vinyals, the pair found defender Michael Hornsby and striker Matthew Bentley in the box. The keeper dove on the bouncing cross though and ended the attempt. Shortly after, a corner from Hornsby was headed out to midfielder Justin Sukow who found defender Nathan Aune in the box but Aune’s strike went just wide of the left post.

In the 19th minute, Tormenta’s Preston Kilwien headed the ball to Daltyn Knutson who sent a speedy attempt on the ground to the far left post. Richmond keeper Will Palmquist, who put in a Keiter Man of the Match performance, stayed locked in on the ball and jumped on it just before it crossed the goal line to make the save.

Through the rest of the half, the Kickers continued to play staunch defense. Palmquist made two more saves, ultimately sending the ball the other way. Midfielder Zaca Moran and defender Beckett Howell made their presence known by keeping the ball out of the back of the net. Moran won seven of the nine duels he encountered and Howell won four of eight. Twice the backline found Sukow on the run and the midfielder found space to get a shot off but couldn’t quite get the ball in the back of the net.

In the 51st minute, Nil Vinyals dribbled across midfield to set up a Richmond attack. After several passes, Vinyals again found Hornsby through but the attempt from the left winger slid across the frame of the goal and just wide of the right post. Ten minutes later, Tormenta moved in with an attack of their own in the 61st. South Georgia’s Kazaiah Sterling sent a strike into the bottom left corner but Palmquist completely shut down the attempt, stretching all the way to the far post to make the save.

Gomeiro nearly answered in transition, pulling a shot from the top of the box that glanced just left of the goal.

In the 69th minute, Palmquist made two more, back-to-back saves to keep Tormenta off the board.

In the 70th minute, Tormenta found the back of the net from the penalty spot to open the scoring. Bentley pushed for an equalizer shortly after, ripping a shot in transition that shook the crossbar.

The last 20 minutes of the match saw striker Nicholas Simmonds and midfielder Ethan Vanacore-Decker on the pitch. Tonight’s match marked the 2023 debut for Vanacore-Decker, returning from a year-long injury he suffered last fall. Landon Johnson and Jake Mecham also stepped on the pitch in the 80th and 83rd minutes, respectively.

In the 84th minute, Palmquist made another wide left corner save to keep the deficit to one.

The Kickers saw one more opportunity in the last few minutes of the match. A free kick from Vinyals was redirected toward the goal but Tormenta’s keeper swiped it off the line and away from the goal.

The Kickers’ next match will be this Friday on the road against One Knoxville SC with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. in Regal Soccer Stadium. The Kickers will return for their next home match on Saturday, Oct. 14th to host Central Valley Fuego FC during Fan Appreciation Night presented by FeedMore. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 4:45 p.m. ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Richmond Kickers 1, Greenville Triumph 2

RICHMOND KICKERS	1	45 + 3′ Sierakowski (Hornsby)
GREENVILLE TRIUMPH	2	45′ Coutinho, 56′ Castro

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (6-13-10, 28 pts) fell at home 2-1, Sunday evening, to Greenville Triumph SC (12-9-7, 43 pts). The season series between the regional rivals ended knotted up 1-1-1.

Once the rain stopped on the East Coast on Sunday, the Kickers and the Triumph got off to a back-and-forth start. A defensive header in the box from centerback Nathan Aune sent the Triumph away early in the game and the front line headed by forward Kharlton Belmar and attacking midfielder Nil Vinyals pushed the matter as well with Ryan Sierakowski and Michael Hornsby charging on the wings.

On the first set piece of the night, the Kickers sent a ball into the box that the Triumph gained possession of before getting a shot off in transition that Richmond keeper Will Palmquist was ultimately able to control.

Vinyals snuck a beautiful ball into the box for midfielder Justin Sukow but Greenville cleared it for a corner. Hornsby then looked back post for Belmar but the two couldn’t quite connect.

Evan Lee took a free kick from about midfield for the Triumph to find forward Lucas Coutinho on the run but with Aune and defender Simon Fitch in protection, Palmquist made the save.

The Kickers kept knocking on the door through the 25th minute as defender Beckett Howell moved up the sideline behind defenders to receive a pass from Vinyals but his cross into the box was scooped up by Greenville keeper Jared Mazzola.

The Triumph’s Coutinho got another opportunity in transition but Palmquist dove left to make the save in the 29th minute. In the 31st, Vinyals attempted a shot off the outside of his right boot that slid just wide of the far post.

Chandler O’Dwyer would also make an attempt to get the scoring started in the 43rd minute but his header off a throw-in from Sierakowski went over the crossbar.

In the 45th minute, the Triumph found the first of the evening. A cross in from Leo Castro found the feet of midfielder Allen Gavilanes who sent it just under the crossbar.

Hornsby and Sierakowski wouldn’t let that be the only goal of the half though. In the third and final minute of first-half stoppage, Hornsby took off across the field to find Sierakowski in the box. Sierakowski dribbled around leftback Tyler Polak and sent the ball into the top left corner of the net with the last kick of the half.

Great run across the pitch from @M_Hornsby13 and a wonderfully sweet finish from @RyanSierakowski 😮‍💨#RICvGVL pic.twitter.com/MgIfN2sZiq

— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) September 24, 2023

In the 50th minute, a Triumph corner turned into a breakaway for the Kickers behind a nutmeg from Vinyals who then found Sukow in the box. The midfielder had the ball at a tight angle as he tried to dribble around Mazzola, but the keeper would gain possession.

Greenville found the final goal of the night in the 54th minute. Castro found himself one-on-one with Palmquist and placed a last-second shot on target as the keeper charged off his line to shut down the danger.

The second half saw quite a bit of back and forth after as both teams saw opportunities off of corners and free kicks but cleared them just as well. Another strike from Hornsby slid just wide left on the ground in the 81st minute and then off another run from Hornsby, Gabe Cox took his own strike but Mazzola reacted quickly and made the save.

The Kickers stayed aggressive as the visitors tried to pack up shop. Richmond was unfortunate not to find a second equalizer as they outshot Greenville with seven of their eight second-half shots taken inside Greenville’s box.

The Kickers return home for their next match on Saturday, Sept. 30th to host South Georgia Tormenta FC during RVA Craft Beer Night presented by the Bon Secours. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 4:45 p.m. ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Forward Madison 2, Richmond Kickers 0

RICHMOND KICKERS	0
FORWARD MADISON	2	3′ Gebhard (Bartman), 46′ Mesias (Gebhard)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

MADISON, Wis. — The Richmond Kickers (6-12-10, 28 pts) fell on the road 2-0, Thursday night, to rivals Forward Madison FC (11-8-8, 41 pts).

The Kickers opened the match with the ball, maintaining a majority of the first half possession. Just a minute into the match Nil Vinyals sent in a free kick, looking for Nathan Aune but just missing the connection. 

In the third minute, Nazeem Bartman forced a turnover in the Kickers’ penalty area and played a cross to Derek Gebhard who knocked the ball in. 

Although down early, the Kickers controlled possession throughout the early part of the match.

In the 27th minute, Vinyals dribbled to the top of the box before taking a shot just wide of the far post. He took another attempt in the 30th, spinning past several Madison defenders before a last second save from the Flamingos goalkeeper, Bernd Schipmann. 

In the 39th minute, Madison took possession but Cole and Hornsby held the left flank forcing the Flamingo attack to swing the ball around and send a long ball over the top of Fitzgerald’s goal. 

After a Kickers corner attempt was sent back out to Hornsby in the 42nd, he sent another ball in from the top right corner of the box to the head of Cole. Despite the clean service, Schipmann was able to make the save. 

The first half ended with the Kickers playing often in Madison’s half while placing three of their five shots on target.

The hosts doubled their lead shortly after the whistle signaling the start of the half. Madison’s Aiden Mecias slotted a goal in the bottom corner after a quick passing succession brought the Flamingos upfield. 

The Kickers pushed to find the back of the net, ceding possession to Madison as the Kickers looked to break on the counter.

In the 70th minute, Vinyals sent in a cross to Sierakowski outside the far post who ripped the ball back towards the net but as Matthew Bentley tried to tap it in, Schipmann denied the attempt on the goalline.

In the 85th minute Madison made one more attempt at a goal but Fitzgerald made a stellar save and sent Richmond pushing the other way. 

With eight minutes of second-half stoppage, the Kickers made their last attempts to change the result. In the 97th minute, Sierakowski hit a shot from the top left corner of the box but it slid just wide of the near post.

The Kickers return home for their next match on Saturday, Sept. 23rd to host Greenville Triumph SC on Noche de la Herencia Hispana presented by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 4:45 p.m. ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Union Omaha 2, Richmond Kickers 1

RICHMOND KICKERS	1	90+2′ Brewer (own goal)
UNION OMAHA	2	58′ Dolabella (Doyle), 82′ Gil (Meza)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

PAPILLION, Neb. — The Richmond Kickers (6-11-10, 28 pts) fell on the road 2-1, Saturday night, to second-place Union Omaha (14-5-8, 49 pts).

The first half was a back-and-forth affair as Richmond owned possession and Omaha attacked on the break.

In the 28th minute, Nil Vinyals fired off one of Richmond’s best chances of the half. The midfielder charged into Omaha’s final third before shaking his defensive marker at the top of the box. He cut the ball back to his right foot and hit a curling shot that forced a save from the Omaha keeper.

In first-half stoppage, a double tackle from Nathan Aune kept the net clear. A cross into the box found Steevan Dos Santos in the danger area as Aune quickly went to ground and kicked the ball away from the forward. As Dos Santos moved towards the half-cleared ball, Aune, still on the ground, extended his leg out and kicked the ball away a second time.

Omaha found the first of the night from a corner in the 58th minute. Conor Doyle served in a cross that found Pedro Dolabella who guided a header into the net.

The hosts doubled their lead 24 minutes later in transition. Luis Gil received a pass from Noe Meza at the top of the box. He took a touch and hit a shot that found the back of the net.

The Kickers cut the hosts’ lead in half in the second minute of second-half stoppage. Chris Cole launched a throw-in into the danger area, and Omaha’s Shaft Brewer headed the ball backward into the net for an own goal.

We got a game on our hands! 🍿

An own goal gets the @RichmondKickers right back in it.#OMAvRIC pic.twitter.com/lc6PJ9swzX

— USL League One (@USLLeagueOne) September 10, 2023

With four minutes of stoppage remaining, the Kickers pushed to rally and find the equalizer, but the hosts held on until the referee’s final whistle.

Richmond stays on the road as they prepare to face Forward Madison, Thurs., Sept. 14th, at Breese Stevens Field. The match is set to kick off at 8 p.m. The team will hold an official watch party at Triple Crossing Downtown.

The Kickers return home on Saturday, Sept. 23rd to host Greenville Triumph SC on Noche de la Hispana presented by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 4:45 p.m. ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Richmond Kickers 3, Central Valley Fuego 3

RICHMOND KICKERS	3	43′ Gomiero, 54′ O’Dwyer (Hornsby), 84′ Simmonds (Gomiero)
CENTRAL VALLEY FUEGO	3	60′ Cerritos (penalty), 61′ Forbes, 76′ Dulysse (Falck)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (6-10-10, 28 pts) earned a 3-3 comeback draw, Wednesday night, against Central Valley Fuego FC (5-15-4, 19 pts) after 16-year-old Nicholas Simmonds scored an 84th-minute equalizer three minutes into his professional debut.

Homegrown player Simmonds delivered from a corner kick on the same pitch that his father Gregory played on 20 years previously. João Gomiero served up an inswinging ball to the far post as Simmonds got inside of his defensive marker and stuck his leg out to guide the ball into the net.

What a start for Nicholas Simmonds! An equalizing goal on his professional debut 🫡#RICvCV pic.twitter.com/98Sna19S3c

— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) August 31, 2023

At 16 Years, 8 Months, and 13 Days, Simmonds became the youngest goalscorer in the Kickers’ modern history.

The Kickers started on the front foot in the match, putting pressure on Fuego’s defense while holding the opposition to a single off-target shot.

Gomiero drew first blood in the 43rd minute from a corner kick. Nil Vinyals played a lofted inswinging ball to the far post. The Fuego keeper got a hand to the ball but could not clear it as it fell to the feet of Gomiero. He quickly caught the ball on a half-volley and sent it into the top corner before racing over to celebrate his first goal in front of the Red Army.

How'd that first goal in front of the @RCRedArmy feel, @Joao_Gomiero? 😮‍💨#UpTheRoos🦘 pic.twitter.com/o4YcJmXjul

— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) August 30, 2023

Richmond doubled its lead on the other side of the halftime whistle in the 54th minute.

Michael Hornsby served up a low pass from a corner kick to the near post. Chandler O’Dwyer got in front of his marker and deftly backheel flicked the ball on target and found the back of the net.

The goal was the second-year pro’s first as a professional.

Brilliant backheel flick from @chandlerodwyer 🤩#RICvCV pic.twitter.com/y3O0Ufilkr

— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) August 31, 2023

Fuego leveled the match with successive goals in the 60th and 61st minute. Alexis Cerritos converted a penalty before Billy Forbes capitalized on a turnover in Richmond’s penalty area.

In the 76th minute, Fuego took the lead from a free kick. Victor Falck sent a ball into the box that found the head of François Dulysse who guided his attempt into the net.

The Roos are on the road next, Saturday, Sept. 9th, as they prepare to face Union Omaha at Werner Park. The match is set to kick off at 8 p.m. The team will hold an official watch party at Three Notch’d Brewing.

The Kickers return home on Saturday, September 23rd to host Greenville Triumph SC on Noche de la Hispana presented by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 4:45 p.m. ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Lexington SC 1, Richmond Kickers 0

RICHMOND KICKERS	0
LEXINGTON SC	1	83′ Diouf (penalty)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The Richmond Kickers (6-10-9, 27 pts) fell on the road 1-0, Saturday night, to Lexington SC (7-11-6, 27 pts).

Stormy conditions in the area delayed the match for roughly 55 minutes, and the two teams continued to play in steady rain for much of the first half.

The Kickers controlled the first half, allowing the hosts to hold the majority of possession while suppressing any chances to score while breaking on the counterattack.

In the 28th minute, Matthew Bentley and Landon Johnson combined for the best chance of the half. On the break, Bentley raced up the left third of the pitch and played a diagonal ball that found Johnson in stride. The 16-year-old put his right foot through the ball and lasered it on target forcing a save from the Lexington keeper.

Landon Johnson asking questions of the keeper after a great pass from @MattBentley8!#UpTheRoos🦘 pic.twitter.com/KlGEmNXcWp

— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) August 27, 2023

The first half ended with the Kickers owning the expected goals (0.83-0.21) while holding the hosts to zero shots on target.

Richmond nearly found the breakthrough in the 67th minute after second-half substitute Kharlton Belmar carried the ball up the right wing to the endline. The forward cut the ball back toward the top of the box and found Nil Vinyals who ran onto the ball and one-timed a shot. However, the midfielder’s attempt had too much power and went just over the crossbar.

Will Palmquist was called into action to make his first save of the night in the 74th minute after Lexington’s Charles Machall found space in transition. The Lexington player hit a shot from outside of the box that was on track to make it just under the crossbar. Palmquist timed his leap perfectly and used his right hand to deflect the ball away from danger.

.@WillPquist got 🆙 to make the save!#LEXvRIC pic.twitter.com/Zatictlgy0

— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) August 27, 2023

Lexington earned a penalty in the 81st minute after Ates Diouf was carrying the ball into the box. Dakota Barnathan, who was on a yellow card received in the first half, kicked his leg out to stab at the ball but caught Diouf which sent the forward to the ground. The referee signaled the penalty – only Richmond’s third conceded penalty of the season – and gave Barnathan a second yellow, ending his night. 

Diouf converted the penalty to give the hosts the lead.

Richmond nearly found an equalizer in the waning seconds of the fifth and final minute of second-half stoppage. Belmar delivered an inswinging ball from the left wing to the far post. Chandler O’Dwyer rose above his marker and headed the ball on target, but the Lexington keeper was able to make the point-blank save and the referee signaled the end of the match shortly after.

The Roos return home on Wednesday, August 30th to host Central Valley Fuego FC on RVA Community Night presented by Broadbent Selections. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!