News

RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, March 30, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the recent addition of midfielder Michael Callahan.  The University of North Carolina graduate will be available for the USL PRO opener this Saturday, April 2, facing off against his former club, Orlando City, at 4:00 p.m.* at Richmond City Stadium, pending USSF approval.

“Michael is a quality individual who possesses the technical skill and tactical awareness to play several positions for the team this season,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “We loved his attitude and enthusiasm when he played against the University of Maryland and we are delighted that he wanted to continue his professional career with the Kickers.”

Callahan began his professional career with the former USL First Division/USSF Division II side Austin Aztex, where he made 47 appearances over the 2009 and 2010 seasons.  The 2009 Rookie Franchise of the Year moved to Orlando, FL during the offseason, and are now competing in USL PRO under the banner Orlando City.

Originally from Cary, N.C., Callahan started 79 of 82 games played at UNC-Chapel Hill, notching 10 career goals and 13 career assists over four seasons.  He earned NSCAA/adidas Men’s Collegiate Scholar All-America honors his senior year and was a NSCAA/adidas All-America selection.

Reserve your 2011 Season Passes and join the Richmond Kickers when they open the USL PRO campaign, hosting Orlando City on Saturday, April 2 at 4:00 p.m.* at Richmond City Stadium.  Taking the field for their 19th season, the Kickers will compete alongside American Division rivals Charlotte Eagles, Charleston Battery, Orlando City and Wilmington Hammerheads and will also face National and International opponents Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, FC New York, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos, Antigua Barracuda FC, Los Angeles Blues, Puerto Rico United and Sevilla FC Puerto Rico during the 24-game season.  Visit www.richmondkickers.com for schedules and ticket information. 
 
*NOTE: The kickoff time for the Kickers home opener has changed to 4:00 p.m.  Game time was previously listed as 5:00 p.m.

RICHMOND, VA – (Thursday, March 24, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the signing of goalkeeper Ryan Jones.  At age 18, Jones marks the youngest player to sign with the Kickers professional team and will be available immediately upon Visa approval.

“Ryan is another historic signing for the Kickers and certainly a player to watch this season,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “Although still relatively young, Ryan possesses significant professional experience and clearly has a tremendous upside.  I know he is looking forward to the challenge of igniting his professional career with the Kickers and we look forward to his arrival in the States.”

The 6’6” native of Liverpool, England brings a wealth of professional playing experience to Richmond, having begun his career at the Liverpool Academy, winner of the FA Youth Cup in 2006 and 2007.  Signing with Leeds United of the English NPower Championship for the 2008-09 season, Jones featured several times for the first team as a substitute before being released as a second year apprentice.  Most recently, he played with NPower League 1 side Rochdale AFC before making three appearances with Northwich Victoria of the Evo-Stik Premier League.

Current Philadelphia Union and former USA National Team midfielder, Justin Mapp, still holds the record as the youngest player to represent the Kickers, when he made one appearance on loan from D.C. United in 2002 at the age of 17.

Reserve your 2011 Season Passes and join the Richmond Kickers when they open the USL PRO campaign, hosting Orlando City on Saturday, April 2 at 4:00 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium.  Taking the field for their 19th season, the Kickers will compete alongside American Division rivals Charlotte Eagles, Charleston Battery, Orlando City and Wilmington Hammerheads and will also face National and International opponents Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, FC New York, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos, Antigua Barracuda FC, Los Angeles Blues, Puerto Rico United and Sevilla FC Puerto Rico during the 24-game season.  Visit www.richmondkickers.com for schedules and ticket information. 

RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, March 23, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the return of veteran defender Evan Harding, along with newcomers Ryan Heins and Jamel Wallace to round out the 2011 roster, pending USSF approval.

“With our move to USL PRO, it was imperative that we strengthened the squad,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “We needed to add experienced players who could also deal with the physical nature of the league. Signing Evan, Ryan and Jamel so late in the process was an added bonus and we look forward to all three making a significant contribution to the team.”

Making 63 appearances with the Kickers over the past four years, Evan Harding returns for his fifth season in Richmond in 2011.  The native of Charlotte, NC burst onto the professional scene in 2007 after signing with the Kickers out of the 2007 Pro Combine.  In his rookie season, he earned USL-2 Team of the Week honors on four occasions and quickly made his way into the starting lineup.

A versatile player who saw time in the midfield and back line at UNC-Charlotte, Harding started 73 of 75 games played over four seasons.  Responsible for 11 goals and seven assists for 29 points during his collegiate career, Harding became the fourth player in the four-year history of the team to earn NCCSIA All-State honors his senior year.

Richmond newcomer Ryan Heins adds firepower to the midfield and brings a wealth of professional playing experience to the 2011 squad.  Originally from Medford, NJ, the 6’1” midfielder was the first selection for the Philadelphia KiXX in the MISL’s expansion draft in 2007.  Making his USL debut in 2008 with rival Harrisburg City Islanders, he led the team with seven goals and one assist in 17 appearances.  He concluded the 2008 season on loan with the Rochester Rhinos, making 51 appearances with the USL First Division/USSF Division II side over two seasons.

A four-year starter at Temple University, Heins notched seven career goals and 11 assists and capped his collegiate career by earning All-Atlantic 10 Second Team honors his senior season.

Rookie defender Jamel Wallace bolsters the Kickers defensive unit, after a one-year stint with the Kitsap Pumas of the USL Premier Development League.  Drafted by the Seattle Sounders in the fourth round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, Wallace concluded a standout career at San Diego State University in 2009.  Making 69 appearances over four years, he notched seven career goals and one assist.  Earning All-Pac-10 Honorable Mentions in 2007 and 2009, the San Diego, CA native was named to the All-Pac-10 Second Team in 2008.

Reserve your 2011 Season Passes and join the Richmond Kickers when they open the USL PRO campaign, hosting Orlando City on Saturday, April 2 at 4:00 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium.  Taking the field for their 19th season, the Kickers will compete alongside American Division rivals Charlotte Eagles, Charleston Battery, Orlando City and Wilmington Hammerheads and will also face National and International opponents Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, FC New York, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos, Antigua Barracuda FC, Los Angeles Blues, Puerto Rico United and Sevilla FC Puerto Rico during the 24-game season.  Visit www.richmondkickers.com for schedules and ticket information.

RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, March 16, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the signing of Japanese international Nozomi Hiroyama for the 2011 season, pending USSF and Visa approval.

“We are delighted Hiro has agreed to join the Kickers as he has exceptional quality and an extensive international experience,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “We were fortunate that Hiro was able to train with the team prior to signing and we expect he will provide an added dimension to our attack.”  
 
“Sadly, Hiro joins the Kickers at a traumatic time in Japanese history,” continues Cowlishaw.  “We are thankful that he and his family were unharmed and our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan.”

Hiroyama joins the Kickers after an extensive playing career that spans four continents over the past 15 years.  Entering the J. League in 1996, at the age of 19, the 5’7” native of Chiba, Japan made 146 appearances with JEF United Ichihara.  In 2001, Hiroyama was transferred to Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño, where he became the first Japanese player ever to score a goal in a Copa Libertadores match. 

The following season, he made 10 appearances with Sporting Braga in Portugal before signing with Montpelier HSC of France’s Ligue 1.  He continued to set milestones, becoming the first Japanese player to appear in France’s top division, having achieved the same distinction in Portugal. 

After a one-year stint in France, Hiroyama returned to the J. League where he made 79 appearances with Tokyo Verdy 1969 and 15 appearances with Cerezo Osaka over five seasons.  Most recently, the Japanese international played in 73 games with J. League Division 2 side Thespa Kusatsu.

Representing his country as a member of the U18, U19 and U20 National Teams, Hiroyama earned a pair of caps with the full Japanese National team in 2001 and 2003.  

Reserve your 2011 Season Passes and join the Richmond Kickers when they open the USL PRO campaign, hosting Orlando City on Saturday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium.  Taking the field for their 19th season, the Kickers will compete alongside American Division rivals Charlotte Eagles, Charleston Battery, Orlando City and Wilmington Hammerheads and will also face National and International opponents Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, FC New York, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos, Antigua Barracuda FC, Los Angeles Blues, Puerto Rico United and Sevilla FC Puerto Rico during the 24-game season.  Visit www.richmondkickers.com for schedules and ticket information.

RICHMOND, VA – (Monday, February 14, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that midfielder Stanley Nyazamba will return to Richmond for the 2011 season, pending USSF and Visa approval.

“It is our pleasure to welcome Stanley back to Richmond,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “He made an immediate impact in his brief time with us in 2008 and I know he is eager to make a similar impact second time around.  Our fans loved Stanley’s style, passion and enthusiasm for the game and there is no doubt Kickers fans will be excited about his return.”

Named 2008 USL-2 Rookie of the Year, Nyazamba quickly became one of the Kickers top scorers, tallying eight goals and two assists overall for 18 points.  Picking up Team of the Week honors on two occasions, he concluded his rookie campaign third on the team in scoring, and finished in the top 10 in goals and points in the league.  Following the Kickers 2008 campaign, Nyazamba became the 22nd Kicker to advance to Major League Soccer, signing a developmental contract with the Columbus Crew.  Most recently, the native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe spent the 2010 season with the NASL side FC Tampa Bay where he posted over 1,000 minutes in 25 appearances, adding two assists.

Drafted in the second round of the 2008 Major Indoor Soccer League College Draft by the now-defunct Detroit Ignition, Nyazamba joined the Kickers professional squad upon graduating from Lee University of the NAIA Conference.  The three-time All-Conference First Team honoree earned a place on the 2007 All-American First Team and was named a NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete his senior season.  During his tenure at Lee, the Flames posted a record of 53-14-2 and made two NAIA National Tournament appearances.  Adding 12 goals and 20 assists his senior year, the 6’1” midfielder finished with 28 goals and 44 points over three seasons, eclipsing the All-Time Assists Leader at Lee University with 60 assists overall.

Reserve your 2011 Season Passes and join the Richmond Kickers when they open the USL PRO campaign, hosting Orlando City on Saturday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium.  Taking the field for their 19th season, the Kickers will compete alongside American Division rivals Charlotte Eagles, Charleston Battery, Orlando City and Wilmington Hammerheads and will also face National and International opponents Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, FC New York, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos, Antigua Barracuda FC, Los Angeles Blues, Puerto Rico United and Sevilla FC Puerto Rico of the 24-game season.  Visit www.richmondkickers.com for schedules and ticket information.

#27 Stanley Nyazamba    Midfielder   6’1”        172 lbs     Hometown: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Professional Statistics

RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, February 8, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce a new corporate partnership with Challa Law Offices, PLC, the new Official Legal Services Provider of the Richmond Kickers.  Challa Law Offices is located in the Innsbrook office park and is one of the leading firms in the Commonwealth in the field of immigration law, as they are one of only two firms that handle all of Virginia’s immigration work. 

“Partnering with the Richmond Kickers is a great opportunity for us,” commented Lakshmi Challa, Managing Partner and Principal at Challa Law Offices . “The partnership is a real win/win for both organizations, and we are tremendously excited to be part of Richmond’s soccer community.  We believe the Richmond Kickers are a real asset to the community and we share their enthusiasm for helping kids build character through the game of soccer.”

“We cannot ask for a better partner than the Challa Law Offices,” adds Shelley Sowers, Richmond Kickers General Manager. “We firmly believe that Challa Law Offices is one of the best law firms in Richmond.  Their expertise in the complex field of international law provides a real benefit to the entire club.”

About the Richmond Kickers 
Established in 1993, the Richmond Kickers have consistently been one of the most successful professional soccer clubs in America.  Over the past 18 seasons, Richmond has qualified for postseason play 16 times, and reached the title match in 2010 for the sixth time in the past nine campaigns, falling just short of the Championship title following a 2-1 loss to the Charleston Battery.  Richmond’s seven previous league Championship appearances (1995, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009) include winning the Premier League title in 1995, a shoot-out loss to Seattle in the USL First Division final in 2005 and taking the USL Second Division crown twice against Charlotte in 2006 and 2009. 

The Kickers will open the 2011 USL PRO season on Saturday, April 2 against Orlando City at 5:00 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium.  USL PRO is the strongest, best operated and most sophisticated North American men’s professional soccer league below MLS, both on and off the field. Focused on franchise stability and longevity, USL PRO will feature an unprecedented six teams with more than a decade of operational experience in 2011, and more than 100 years of combined operational experience.

About Challa Law Offices, PLC
A Richmond, Virginia based law firm specializing in business in immigration law, Challa Law Offices was established by Lakshmi and Shekar Challa in December 2001.  Lakshmi Challa has been practicing immigration law exclusively for over sixteen years. The firm focuses on providing solutions-directed business immigration strategies for a wide range of clients around the globe by leveraging state-of-the-art case management technologies and outstanding client service.  Challa Law Offices specializes in employment-based, temporary and permanent resident visas for business professionals, assisting international companies/individuals in setting up their business in the U.S. as well as family-based temporary and permanent resident visas.

Kickers defender Henry Kalungi has enjoyed training with the full Ugandan National Team this week while visiting his home country during the offseason.  Originally from Kampala, Uganda, Kalungi represented his country as a member of the U-20 National Team.  He came to the United States to play for Winthrop University, earning honors as All-Big South in 2006, as well as team MVP, Big South All-Tournament Team and NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region Team. Prior to joining the Kickers, Kalungi spent a season with the Premier Development League side Fredericksburg Gunners, making 14 appearances and posting four shutouts. In 2009, Kalungi joined the Kickers and earned USL Second Division Player of the Week Honors on two occasions.  The 2010 campaign was no different for the Ugandan international, earning another USL-2 Player of the Week nod for his defensive efforts.  An advocate for youth player development in Richmond as well, Kalungi acts as a coach for the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club Advanced Development Program (ADP).