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Emiliano Terzaghi Named Back to Back USL League One Most Valuable Player

TAMPA, Fla. – Reigning 2020 USL League One Most Valuable Player and reigning back-to-back Golden Boot winner Emiliano Terzaghi was named USL League One Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season, the league announced Thursday.

“Ganar este premio tan importante por segunda vez consecutiva significa un gran orgullo para mi de gran importancia porque volver a conseguirlo siempre es más difícil que hacerlo por primera vez.”

“Winning this important award for the second time in a row means a lot to me,” Terzaghi said. “It was of great importance because getting it again is always more difficult than doing it for the first time.”

“Agradezco a mis compañeros de equipo a todo el staff y la gente que trabaja con nosotros día a día que sin ellos no ubiese sido posible todo este proceso de mi crecimiento.”

“I thank my teammates and all the staff and people who work with us every day because without them this whole process of my growth as a member of the Kickers would not have been possible.”

After earning league MVP, Golden Boot, and All-League First Team honors during the truncated 2020 season, Terzaghi continued his ascendancy as the face of USL League One as he scored 18 goals in 27 appearances — averaging a goal every 128.4 minutes — setting the league’s new single-season goal scoring record. Furthermore, Terzaghi now sits as the league’s all-time leading goal scorer with 28 goals over the last two seasons.

“To follow up the 2020 Golden Boot with an 18 goal 2021 Golden Boot season is an incredible accomplishment,” Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky said. “He was a known commodity going into this season so it makes it even more difficult.

“Emi’s presence in our club is much greater than the statistics he has accumulated over the past two seasons. He is a humble professional who comes to work each day ready to help the team in any way needed. There are some very good players in USL League One, having Emi in our culture here day to day showcases for all of us how valuable he is for our club.”

Terzaghi shared the responsibility of acting as club co-captain alongside Ivan Magalhães during the 2021 season, and Terzaghi led by example who specialized in changing the outcomes of matches as he scored the game-winning goal in six matches as well as assisting Jonathan Bolanos’ game winner against North Texas on July 3.

The Argentine talisman’s ability to come up clutch was on full display in the waning weeks of the season as the Kickers went on a five-match winning streak to guarantee its first appearance in the postseason since 2016 with Terzaghi scoring the game winner in four of the matches and a brace in the regular-season home finale against Forward Madison.

The consistency displayed by Terzaghi throughout the season cannot be overstated as the forward picked up Player of the Month honors during the months of July and October. Terzaghi was a fixture in the league’s weekly honors earning Cleer Audio Player of the Week in week 13 as well as recognition in the Cleer Audio Team of the Week during weeks 5, 17, 19, 25, 26, 28, and 30.

El rey’s heroics on the pitch saw him earn his second-straight Red Army Supporters’ MVP that was awarded to him following the conclusion of the regular-season home finale.

“¡Soy muy agradecido y trabajo muy duro para representar a nuestra comunidad al club para llevarlo a lo más alto! ¡También devolverle a los fans todo el cariño que nos dan siempre ! ellos son un parte muy especial para mi.”

“I am very grateful and I work very hard to represent our community and this club to take it to the top! To give back to the fans after all the love they always give us, they are a very special part of me!”

2022 marks our historic 30th consecutive season! Reserve your spot at City Stadium, today at https://www.richmondkickers.com/seasontickets! Get your season tickets by Dec. 15 to receive an exclusive 30th season scarf!

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

Akira Fitzgerald Named USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year

TAMPA, Fla. – (Tuesday, November 16, 2021) – Richmond Kickers’ starting goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach, Akira Fitzgerald was named the USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year for his record-breaking efforts during the 2021 season, the league announced Tuesday.

“It’s a great honor to win this award because there are many top goalkeepers in this league who had fantastic seasons and will go on and have great careers,” Fitzgerald said. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to have played this long and to win this award at this stage of my career is a great accomplishment.

“I feel more motivated than ever to continue to push on and achieve more for the club and myself.”

The 34-year-old veteran enjoyed a career year as he set the new single-season league record of 89 saves. Furthermore, Fitzgerald recorded 10 clean sheets that led all goalkeepers as the Kickers finished tied for second in total clean sheets behind first-place Greenville Triumph SC.

Fitzgerald would also record a 72.1 percent save percentage ranking ahead of 2021 Golden Glove winner Rashid Nuhu of Union Omaha.

“Being able to lead the league in clean sheets was an incredible collective effort that we as a group can take great pride in,” Fitzgerald said. “Every player played a role in making sure we were defensively solid each week, and I have to give an incredible amount of love to my backline who always put everything they had into each match.

He continued, “I think it also showed how strong our goalkeeping department was to set a single-season record in saves while also helping the team into the playoffs. I want to thank Austin Aviza and Austin Causey for their incredible professionalism and hard work throughout the year because without them it wouldn’t have been possible to achieve these kinds of numbers and success for the club.”

Fitzgerald previously was named to the USL League One All-League First Team earlier in November 2021 before being named as a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year. He was nominated alongside Omaha’s Nuhu and New England Revolution II’s Joe Rice — a former Richmond Kicker and understudy to Fitzgerald in 2019.

“It’s a great accomplishment for Akira after a very good season,” Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky said. “You need your goalkeeper to keep you in games and Akira has done that consistently over the past two seasons.

“He is in charge of our goalkeeping department here in Richmond and we look forward to him between the pipes and running training in 2022 and beyond. I cannot think of a human being with more class, and I am happy he is being recognized.”

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

Fitzgerald received 44 percent of the ballot to earn the award. Union Omaha’s Rashid Nuhu finished second on 34 percent, while the New England Revolution II’s Joe Rice finished third on 22 percent.

The 2021 USL League One Awards were voted on by team technical staffs and executives representing every team.

USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year

2021 – Akira Fitzgerald, Richmond Kickers
2020 – Dallas Jaye, Greenville Triumph SC
2019 – Dallas Jaye, Greenville Triumph SC

2021 USL League One Awards

Goalkeeper of the Year: Akira Fitzgerald, Richmond Kickers
Defender of the Year: Announced November 16
Coach of the Year: Announced November 17
Young Player of the Year: Announced November 17
Most Valuable Player: Announced November 18

2021 USL League One Awards Finalists Unveiled; Fitzgerald and Terzaghi Named As Finalists

TAMPA, Fla. – The finalists for the 2021 USL League One Awards were announced on Thursday, with the leading performers in five categories earning nomination after the league’s third campaign. The award winners will be announced between Tuesday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 18.

The 2021 USL League One Awards were voted on by team technical staffs and executives representing every team.

2021 Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists – Winner announced Tuesday, Nov. 16

Akira Fitzgerald, Richmond Kickers: Fitzgerald produced one of the finest seasons of his career as he led the league with 10 shutouts and 89 saves while recording a save percentage of 72.1 percent to help the Kickers earn their first trip to the League One Playoffs in three seasons.

Rashid Nuhu, Union Omaha: Nuhu earned the League One Golden Glove for the first time with a 0.75 goals-against average as he posted nine shutouts and a save percentage of 71 percent for Omaha, helping the side finish top of the League One standings in the regular season.

Joe Rice, New England Revolution II: After making only three appearances in each of his first two seasons with the Revolution II, Rice broke out with eight shutouts in 20 games and a save percentage of 76.2 percent. Rice’s performance saw him record a -2.60 mark in Goals Saved over Expected Goals, good for third in the league.

2021 Defender of the Year Finalists – Winner announced Tuesday, Nov. 16

Kobe Franklin, Toronto FC II: Franklin had a standout season in his first year in the professional ranks, recording two goals and six assists, tied for fifth in the league, while finishing tied for 11th in key passes with 39. The Canada youth international was also solid defensively, recording 46 interceptions, to post a +4.24 Goals Added mark for the campaign.

Jason Ramos, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Ramos took a major step forward in his second season with the Red Wolves, finishing second among outfield players with 211 recoveries and third with 1,275 completed passes at an accuracy rate of 83 percent. The 23-year-old ranked third among the league’s defenders with a +5.67 Goals Added mark as he notched 15 key passes and had one goal and one assist when joining the attack.

Damia Viader, Union Omaha: Selected to the League One All-League Team for a second consecutive season, Viader became an even greater two-way threat for Omaha in 2020 as he recorded six goals and five assists while leading the league with 58 key passes in the regular season. The Spaniard also finished third in the league with 56 interceptions and won 162 duels at a success rate of 55.3 percent.

2021 Coach of the Year Finalists – Winner announced Wednesday, Nov. 17

John Harkes, Greenville Triumph SC: Harkes guided Greenville to another stellar campaign as he managed through absences due to injury to set the team on a strong final drive over the final third of the season. Greenville led the league with 13 shutouts in 28 games, and ended the season on a nine-game undefeated to edge out Chattanooga Red Wolves SC for second place in the regular season standings.

Jay Mims, Union Omaha: Mims built on a strong inaugural season in 2020 and made Omaha the most consistent side in League One this year as the side finished on top of the regular season standings. Los Buhos recorded the most wins of any side with 14 and finished tied for the league-lead with 44 goals to post a +22-goal differential as well as nine shutouts as its returning players and newcomers coalesced into an impressive force.

Jon Pearlman, FC Tucson: One of the club’s co-founders, Pearlman engineered an impressive turnaround as he took the reins midway through the regular season that helped lead Tucson to its first postseason trip in League One. Pearlman’s squad recorded a seven-game undefeated streak to drive toward the postseason and finished tied for the league-lead with 44 goals in the regular season as it recorded 25 goals in its final 12 games.

2021 Young Player of the Year Finalists – Winner announced Wednesday, Nov. 17

Noah Allen, Fort Lauderdale CF: The 17-year-old played every minute of his 27 appearances for Fort Lauderdale in his first full season in the professional ranks and was impressive defensively as he won 34 tackles at a success rate of 77.3 percent while also logging 35 interceptions and 31 clearances. Allen also completed 832 passes at an 80.5 percent accuracy rate and notched two assists and 28 key passes in attack.

Kobe Franklin, Toronto FC II: Voted to the League One All-League First Team, Franklin had a solid two-way season for the Young Reds as he recorded two goals and six assists, tied for fifth in the league, and notched 39 key passes. The 18-year-old also recorded 46 interceptions and 41 clearances while winning 22 tackles.

Shaan Hundal, Fort Lauderdale CF: The former Canada U-20 international had a breakout campaign after his move to South Florida with 11 goals to tied for fourth in the regular season. The 22-year-old also recorded three assists and 20 key passes while averaging a goal every 171.1 minutes as he ranked ninth in League One overall with a +6.05 Goals Added mark in the regular season.

2021 Most Valuable Player Finalists – Winner announced Thursday, Nov. 18

Aaron Molloy, Forward Madison FC: In his second season in the professional ranks, Molloy shone in the center of Madison’s midfield as he led League One with 1,615 completed passes at an accuracy rate of 86.2 percent. The former League Two standout ranked third in the league with 54 key passes and recorded four goals and three assists while sitting sixth in the league overall with a +6.31 Goals Added mark.

Emiliano Terzaghi, Richmond Kickers: The reigning Most Valuable Player set a League One record with 18 goals in the regular season which played a crucial role in the Kickers reaching the postseason for the first time since 2016. The Argentine notched a goal every 128.4 minutes during the regular season while also recording two assists and 16 key passes for a Goals Added mark of +6.65.

Damia Viader, Union Omaha: In a squad filled with impressive performers, Viader’s work as a two-way player stood out for los Buhos as he recorded six goals and five assists while leading the league with 58 key passes overall in the regular season. The 23-year-old also recorded 56 interceptions and 205 recoveries, both third-most in the league, in an impressive all-around campaign.

USL League One Announces 2021 All-League Teams

TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One honored its leading performers from this year’s regular season campaign on Wednesday with the announcement of the 2021 USL League One All-League Teams. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, the Richmond Kickers and Union Omaha each saw two players named to the First Team, while Omaha led all clubs with five players across the 22 selections. Eleven of the league’s clubs were represented overall.

Omaha is represented on the All-League First Team for a second consecutive year by defender Damia Viader and by forward Greg Hurst, who earned his second consecutive selection as well after being honored in 2020 as a member of Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. The trio of forward Evan Conway, midfielder Devin Boyce and goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu earn All-League Second Team honors for los Buhos, with Conway and Nuhu earning their second consecutive selections to the team.

In addition to Viader and Hurst, the Richmond Kickers’ Emiliano Terzaghi – who claimed the league’s Golden Boot for a second consecutive season – is also named to the All-League First Team for the second consecutive year. Additionally, 2020 All-League Second Team selections Marco Micaletto of South Georgia Tormenta FC and Ricky Ruiz of Chattanooga Red Wolves SC each earn First Team honors this campaign.

The 2021 USL League One All-League Team was voted on by club management.

The finalists for the 2021 USL League One Awards will be announced on Thursday, with the Award Winners to be announced next week during the build-up to the 2021 USL League One Final.

GK – Akira Fitzgerald, Richmond Kickers: Fitzgerald had a remarkable season in which he led the league with both 10 shutouts and 89 saves, recording a save percentage of 71.8 percent as he played all-but-one game of the regular season to help Richmond see postseason action for the first time in League One.

D – Kobe Franklin, Toronto FC II: The 18-year-old Canadian youth international had a fine campaign as he ranked eight in the league with 46 interceptions and also tied for fifth in the league with six assists, ranking fourth among full backs with a +4.24 Goals Added rating.

D – Jason Ramos, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Ramos had a standout year in the center of the Red Wolves’ defense as he ranked second among outfield players with 211 recoveries and also notched 87 clearances, 25 interceptions and 32 tackles won. Ramos was also solid on the ball, completing 1,275 of 1,537 passes (83 percent) during the regular season.

D – Ryan Spaulding, New England Revolution II: Spaulding ranked fourth in League One in interceptions with 51 for the season and won 60.7 percent of duels and 66.2 percent of aerial duels while also scoring three goals and recording 26 key passes. His performance saw him record the highest Goals Added mark among full backs at +5.88, ranking 13th overall in the league.

D – Damia Viader, Union Omaha: The Spanish standout earned his second consecutive First Team selection after recording six goals and five assists and finishing second in the league with 58 key passes in attack. He also ranked third in the league in interceptions with 56 and third among outfield players with 205 recoveries defensively and completed 43 dribbles, good for third in the league.

M – Marco Micaletto, South Georgia Tormenta FC: Micaletto earned his first All-League First Team honors as he recorded a team-high 11 goals – tied for fourth in the league – and recorded three assists and 40 key passes as he started in every game for Tormenta while missing only 22 minutes of action all campaign.

M – Aaron Molloy, Forward Madison FC: Molloy was the central cog that made Madison tick as he completed a league-high 1,615 of 1,874 passes in the regular season for an 86.2 passing accuracy rate and 50.38 xPass rating, second-highest in the league. Molloy also led outfield players with 237 recoveries, and had four goals, three assists and 54 key passes, putting him third in the league in the latter category.

M – Ricky Ruiz, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Ruiz tied the League One record with 10 assists in the regular season and also led the league with 59 key passes as he earned his first All-League First Team selection and second overall. The 25-year-old also won 55.6 percent of duels, completed 74 percent of passes overall, and ranked 11th in Goals Added at +5.96.

F – Greg Hurst, Union Omaha: Hurst continued to prove a prolific finisher after his offseason move to Omaha to earn his second consecutive All-League First Team honor. The 24-year-old led Union with 13 goals in the regular season – good for third overall in the league – as he notched a goal every 170.3 minutes. Hurst also recorded two assists and 25 key passes and finished seventh in the league with a +6.30 Goals Added mark.

F – Marios Lomis, Greenville Triumph SC: Lomis produced his finest season since moving to the United States for Triumph SC as he finished second in the league with 14 goals in the regular season. The Dutch forward averaged a goal every 138.3 minutes and also notched one assist and 16 key passes while finishing the regular season in second place in total shots on 60, earning the league’s second-highest Goals Added mark of +7.21.

F – Emiliano Terzaghi, Richmond Kickers: The Argentine forward took his outstanding campaign in 2020 and built on it for the Kickers this year as he set a new regular season record with 18 goals in 27 appearances. Terzaghi averaged a goal every 128.4 minutes to help drive the Kickers to the postseason and earned a +6.65 Goals Added mark for the campaign, fourth in the league.

GK – Rashid Nuhu, Union Omaha: Nuhu earned his second consecutive selection to the All-League Second Team after earning the League One Golden Glove with a league-best 0.75 goals-against average. The Ghanaian recorded a save percentage of 71 percent as he recorded 44 saves in 24 appearances and posted a +2.32 Goals Added mark for his defensive play.

D – Noah Franke, FC Tucson: Franke had a strong all-around season, ranking tied for 11th in the league with 43 interceptions and also winning 31 tackles at a 71.1 percent success rate while recording 148 recoveries. In attack, Franke notched four assists and 20 chances created while posting an overall passing accuracy rate of 82.7 percent.

D – Brandon Fricke, Greenville Triumph SC: Fricke earned his second consecutive selection to the All-League Team having been a First Team selection in 2020 as he ranked sixth in the league with 85 clearances while also recording 37 interceptions and 107 recoveries defensively while also notching one goal and one assist in attack.

D – Abdi Mohamed, Greenville Triumph SC: Mohamed earned his first selection to the All-League Team after recording 21 interceptions and 45 clearances and a 75 percent tackle success rate defensively and three assists and 24 key passes overall when joining the attack for a Greenville side that ramped up defensively down the final stretch.

D – Connor Tobin, Forward Madison FC: The veteran center back earned a second consecutive All-League Second Team selection as he led the league in clearances with 143 and also ranked second in successful passes with 1,320 at an accuracy rate of 84.8 percent. Tobin earned the highest Goals Added rate among defenders in League One at +5.91 in the regular season.

M – Devin Boyce, Union Omaha: Boyce took a notable step forward in production in his second professional season, finishing tied for second in the league with eight assists while also notching four goals and recording 40 key passes. The 25-year-old also made 20 interceptions defensively and posted a +4.04 Goals Added mark.

M – Charlie Dennis, FC Tucson: Dennis proved a key catalyst for FC Tucson’s trip to the postseason as he led the squad with nine goals and eight assists, finishing tied for second in the league in the latter category. The English midfielder also ranked sixth in the league with 43 key passes and completed 79.2 percent of his passes overall.

M – Aaron Walker, Greenville Triumph SC: Walker earned his first All-League selection after recording five goals, three assists and 19 key passes while helping Triumph SC win and distribute possession in the middle of the park, completing 815 passes at an accuracy rate of 83.1 percent and notching 24 interceptions and 138 recoveries.

F – Evan Conway, Union Omaha: Conway earned his second consecutive All-League selection after being on the First Team in 2020 as he scored 10 goals, good for seventh in the league and second on los Buhos, while averaging a goal every 112.1 minutes. Conway posted a 62.5 percent shooting accuracy rate and also notched one assist and 13 key passes overall in the regular season.

F – Shaan Hundal, Fort Lauderdale CF: The former Canada U-20 international had a breakout season as he recorded 11 goals to tie for fourth in the league while also recording three assists and 20 key passes. Hundal averaged a goal every 171.1 minutes and ranked ninth in the league with a +6.05 Goals Added mark, highest in Fort Lauderdale’s squad.

F – Gibran Rayo, North Texas SC: The 20-year-old recorded seven goals, two assists and 24 key passes to help North Texas return to the postseason this year, and also put in solid work on the defensive side of the ball with 16 interceptions and 14 won tackles at a success rate of 60.9 percent. The Dallas native also posted a passing accuracy rate of 82.7 percent and led his side with a +4.72 Goals Added mark.

Emiliano Terzaghi Named October USL League One Cleer Audio Player of the Month

TAMPA, Fla. — USL League One announced Tuesday that reigning league MVP and newly-minted back-to-back Golden Boot winner Emiliano Terzaghi was named the October Cleer Audio Player of the Month following five goals including a brace that was instrumental in sending the Kickers to the postseason for the first time since 2016.

This marks the second time that Terzaghi is named the Player of the Month during the 2021 season after the Argentine was named Player of the Month in July. This also marks his third overall Player of the Month award from the league after he previously won in September 2020.

“I really appreciate the recognition of being named the player of the month,” Terzaghi said. “We fought as a team and I am happy my performance helped the team make the playoffs.”

Terzaghi began the month by recording four goals in a critical five-match winning streak that put the Kickers in a position to qualify for the playoffs. He capped off his scoring with a goal in the regular-season finale at FC Tucson that saw the forward set the new single-season goal-scoring record at 18 goals.

“Emiliano has been an incredible professional over the past two years,” Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky said. “To win the Golden Boot once is a great accomplishment. To back it up the following year and to be recognized again as a player of the month in our league is a testament to how hard he works. We are very happy for him”

Terzaghi received 44 percent of a weighted poll that included the USL League One Technical Committee and an online fan vote held at USLLeagueOne.com. Union Omaha’s Devin Boyce finished second on 33 percent after recording five assists and one goal in the final month of the season, while Toronto FC II’s Kobe Franklin finished third on 10 percent after recording four assists and one goal.

Player	Fan Vote	Weight	USL Vote	Weight	Total Weighted Vote
Emiliano Terzaghi (RIC)	6%	4%	100%	40%	44%
Devin Boyce (OMA)	55%	33%	0%	0%	33%
Kobe Franklin (TOR)	17%	10%	0%	0%	10%
Evan Conway (OMA)	15%	9%	0%	0%	9%
Azaad Liadi (TRM)	7%	4%	0%	0%	4%

Match Recap: Kickers Postseason Run Ends Late On the Road

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Richmond Kickers’ (11-10-7) first playoff run since the 2016 season ended on the road at FC Tucson (11-10-7) in the quarterfinals of the USL League One playoffs after an 87th-minute goal and only shot on target for the hosts broke the stalemate.

Richmond’s first playoff match since 2016 was underway with the Reds making one change from the last several weeks with Nathan Aune starting in the match. The Kickers were solid in the back as they absorbed pressure from the hosts while flashing danger on the wings on the counter.

Both sides were unable to exploit each other’s defenses as the match went into the half in a stalemate just one week after the same match between the two sides saw three combined goals in the first 45.

When the two sides emerged for the second half, Richmond pressed for a go-ahead. Jonathan Bolanos was running through the middle of the FC Tucson defense after beating his marker but was brought down shortly after earning a free kick in a decent spot for Richmond.

Nil Vinyals sent a cross into the far end of the Tucson box to Aune who squared it back across the face of the goal for Jalen Crisler who tried side-footing the ball but the Tucson defense and Wallis Lapsley were able to get pressure on the attempt and quell the attack.

In the 75th minute, Bolanos was surging up the left wing, beating his marker turning him inside, then cutting into the box he let a low-driven shot into the near post which Lapsley was able to get behind, and collect.

With the clock winding down, in the final 10 minutes of regular time, FC Tucson was able to find a go-ahead goal off of a Derri Corfe shot into the far post, bringing Tucson to 1-0 in the 87th minute. Despite having three additional minutes of stoppage time, the Kickers were unable to find an equalizer.

The Kickers were unlucky not to earn a result in the desert as the attack produced twice as many shots as the hosts including five shots on target while holding Tucson to only one shot on target. Ultimately, the Kickers were built to withstand a siege and were dangerous off the ball.

While Richmond’s season ends in Tucson, the Reds under Darren Sawatzky have their first playoff appearance under their belt exactly two years to the day that Sawatzky was named the man to rebuild the club and after a truncated 2020 season that saw the Reds 90 minutes away from making the 2020 USL League One Final.

The Roos will look to continue building on the progress made over the last two years as they head into the 2022 USL League One Season.

BOX SCORE

	First Half	Second Half	Final
Richmond	0	0	0
FC Tucson	0	1	1

LINEUPS

Richmond: Akira Fitzgerald, Chris Cole, Ivan Magalhães, Nathan Aune (59’ – Victor Falck), Jalen Crisler, Esteban Calvo, Zaca Moran, Ethan Bryant (89’ – Oalex Anderson), Nil Vinyals (88’ – Luke Pavone ), Emiliano Terzaghi, Jonathan Bolanos (80’ – Matt Bolduc)

Unused Substitutes: Austin Causey, Juan Pablo Monticelli, Hernan Gonzalez

FC Tucson: Wallis Lapsley, Maximiliano Schenfeld, Noah Franke, Luca Mastrantonio, Kaelon Fox, Charlie Dennis, Mohamed Kone, Joao Delgado (23’ – Daniel Bedoya)(89’ – Dakota Barnathan), Shak Adams (89’ – Alex Knox)ââ, Deri Corfe, Kevin Rodríguez (82’ – Giovanni Calixtro)

Unused Substitutes: Manuel Ferriol, Ryan Shellow, Alioune Diakhate

STATISTICS

	Shots	Saves	Fouls	Corners
Richmond	12	0	13	4
FC Tucson	6	5	11	5

SCORING SUMMARY

87’

TUC

Corfe

CAUTIONS SUMMARY

45’+1

51’

55’

RIC

TUC

Bolanos

Kone

Corfe

EJECTIONS SUMMARY

None.

MATCH INFORMATION

Referee: Jeremy Scheer

Assistant Refeeree: N/A

Fourth Official: N/A

Attendance: N/A

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 80 ºF

Match Preview: Kickers Make First Playoff Appearance Since 2016, Rematch At FC Tucson in USL League One Quarterfinals

Match Information:

USL League One Playoffs: Quarterfinals

FC Tucson vs Richmond Kickers

Kino North Stadium, Tucson, Arizona

Saturday, November 6th at 10:00 p.m.

Broadcast Information:

Internet: ESPN+

TV (Local): WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206/Verizon FiOS 466)

TUCSON, Ariz. – The fifth-seeded Richmond Kickers (11-10-7) return to the postseason for the first time since 2016 with a rematch of the regular-season finale at fourth-seeded FC Tucson (11-10-7) for the quarterfinals of the USL League One 2021 Playoffs. Kickoff for the match is set for 10:00 p.m. EST.

With the Kickers playing in Tucson last weekend, the Reds stayed in the desert to use the week to acclimate and prepare for the rematch at FC Tucson.

Last week’s match began with an early attack on goal from the Reds. Matt Bolduc was freed up on the right wing and made a run to the goalline, crossed the ball, and Jonathan Bolanos broke into space and side-footed the cross into the goal to give Richmond an early lead in the 22nd minute.

FC Tucson answered back moments later with a goal by Max Schenfeld in the 24th minute. With the game level at 1-1 and the first half winding down, Tucson’s Derri Corfe dribbled into space at the top of the Richmond box and found space to let a shot off. The shut curled away from Akira Fitzgerald into the far post and gave FC Tucson the go-ahead goal in the 42nd minute, just before halftime.

The Reds pushed for an equalizer right out of the gate in the second half. Emiliano Terzaghi pressed the Tucson defense hard and was free on goal against Wallis Lapsley, Terzaghi pushed the ball to the side and Lapsley took Terzaghi down to earn him a penalty. Terzaghi placed the ball on the spot and drilled the penalty into the net, equalizing for the Reds, 2-2.

FC Tucson earned a corner kick in the 51st minute which Charlie Dennis delivered into the center of the box for Luca Mastrantonio to head into the goal, giving FC Tucson the lead again, 3-2. Shak Adams would go on to score the insurance goal for FC Tucson later in the 58th minute.

The result from the first quarterfinal matchup of the day between third-seeded Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and sixth-seeded North Texas SC will be determined before the beginning of the Kickers’ match. If the Reds advance along with Chattanooga, then the Kickers will play at first-seeded Union Omaha next Saturday. If the Reds advance along with North Texas, the Kickers will play at second-seeded Greenville Triumph SC.

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Richmond Kickers

Jonathan Bolanos (#17) is a pacey winger who’s scored five goals and notched an assist this season. Bolanos enjoys making deep, diagonal runs into the opposition’s territory. Bolanos scored against FC Tucson last time out and if the Reds can spread the defense out across the box it will give Bolanos the space to go at defenders and use his pace to get the most out of his chances.

Emiliano Terzaghi (#32) was awarded the Golden Boot for the 2021 season, for the second consecutive year. This time around Terzaghi notched 18 goals, breaking Ronaldo Damus’ single-season USL League One goals-coring record. Terzaghi averages a goal every 128.4 minutes and was inches away from scoring two goals against FC Tucson last time out.

Nil Vinyals (#10) is a creative playmaker in the midfielder. Playing alongside Zaca Moran, Vinyals has the ability to create numerous chances and recycle the ball in possession creatively. Vinyals has a passing accuracy of 74.7% and four assists to his name.

FC Tucson

Charlie Dennis (#10) is FC Tucson’s leading goalscorer with nine goals, he also leads the squad in assists with eight. Dennis is a dangerous playmaker and goalscorer in the final third as well as a dead-ball specialist.

Shak Adams (#17) is the next leading goalscorer in the squad, only one behind Charlie Dennis with eight goals and a pair of assists himself. Adams is lightning fast and dangerous in wide areas of the pitch where he can make space and take on defenders. Adams’ 81.9% passing accuracy makes him a valuable asset for Tucson’s attack and for connecting with the rest of the forward line.

Derri Corfe (#9) is an efficient goal scorer who is willing to take the shots that others may shy away from. Corfe has an 84% passing accuracy, seven goals, and two assists. Corfe leads the squad in shots (52) and shots on target (31).

Richmonds Emiliano Terzaghi Claims Second Consecutive League One Golden Boot

TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One announced on Monday its first official awards for 2021 with standout Richmond Kickers forward Emiliano Terzaghi claiming his second consecutive League One Golden Boot award in leading his side to the postseason. Also honored were Union Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu, who earned his first League One Golden Glove award, and Chattanooga Red Wolves SC defender Ricky Ruiz taking the Assists Champion award.

A native of Argentina, Terzaghi set a new single-season record with 18 goals in 27 appearances, surpassing the mark set by former North Texas SC forward Ronaldo Damus of 16 in League One’s inaugural season in 2019. The 28-year-old averaged a goal every 128.4 minutes while finishing four goals ahead of his closest competition as he led the Kickers’ drive to a first appearance in the League One Playoffs, and the club’s first postseason appearance overall since 2016 in the USL Championship.

Voted to the 2020 USL League One All-League Second Team a season ago, Nuhu raised his performance this campaign to claim the Golden Glove with a goals-against average of 0.75. A native of Ghana, the 25-year-old competed collegiately at Fordham University and in USL League Two before joining the professional ranks in the USL Championship with the New York Red Bulls II in 2019. Last year he joined Omaha for its inaugural season in League One and in this campaign played a key role in the club’s first-place finish in the regular season.

A California native, Ruiz equaled League One’s single-season record with 10 assists during the regular season this campaign, matching the total set by former North Texas SC midfielder Arturo Rodriguez in the 2019 regular season. The 24-year-old has spent the past two seasons with the Red Wolves after previously competing in USL League Two during and after his college career at the University of California – Riverside, and in addition to his first-place finish in assists ranked tied for first place in Chances Created with 58.

The 2021 USL League One Golden Boot, Golden Glove and Assists Champion are the opening three awards that will be presented by the league this year. League One’s Most Valuable Player, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year and the USL League One All-League Teams will be announced later this month.

Terzaghi Named to USL League One Cleer Audio Team of the Week for Week 30

TAMPA, Fla. — USL League One announced on Monday that Richmond Kickers’ forward Emiliano Terzaghi was named to the Cleer Audio Team of the Week for Week 30 after the newly-minted back-to-back Golden Boot winner notched an equalizer at FC Tucson.

Terzaghi earns his eighth recognition of the season from the league after previously being named to the Cleer Audio Team of the Week for weeks 5, 17, 19, 25, 26, and 28 as well as earning Cleer Audio Player of the Week honors for week 13.

Down 2-1 at the half, Terzaghi was critical in providing an equalizer for the Reds in the desert.

Terzaghi danced into the box in the 49th minute as he dribbled past his defender and the goalkeeper who came off his line. With a seemingly open net in front of him, the Argentine was taken down before he could shoot the ball and the referee called for a penalty.

Without hesitation, he got up and placed the ball at the spot, and waited for the referee to signal. Terzaghi calmly sent the goalkeeper in the other direction as he guided the ball into the back of the net.

Terzaghi finished the match with six shots and two on target while winning the majority of his duels and winning a team-high four fouls.

Terzaghi and his teammates are on the road at FC Tucson for the quarterfinals of the USL League One Playoffs presented by TwinSpires. The match marks the first playoff match for the Kickers since the 2016 season. Kickoff at Kino North Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday, November 6 is set for 10:00 p.m. EST.

GK – Paul Christensen, Greenville Triumph SC: Christensen put in a solid display with a two-save shutout against North Carolina FC to record his team-leading seventh shutout of the season as Triumph SC moved into second place in the League One standings.

D – Luca Petrasso, Toronto FC II: Petrasso notched one assist, had three key passes and completed 36 of 50 passes overall while defensively winning 3 of 3 tackles and making 11 recoveries in TFC II’s 1-0 win against the New England Revolution.

D – Abdi Mohamed, Greenville Triumph SC: Abdi put in a tremendous two-way shift with one assist and six key passes in attack while winning 8 of 9 duels, 3 of 4 aerial duels and 3 of 3 tackles defensively in his side’s 2-0 win against North Carolina FC.

D – Maxi Schenfeld, FC Tucson: Schenfeld provided one of the goals in Tucson’s crucial 4-2 victory against the Richmond Kickers on Saturday and was solid defensively, winning 7 of 10 duels and making five recoveries.

D – Luca Mastrantonio, FC Tucson: Mastrantonio scored once and completed 43 of 52 passes overall while defensively he won 3 of 4 aerial duels, 7 of 11 duels and recorded two interceptions in Tucson’s 4-2 victory against the Richmond Kickers.

M – Paul Rothrock, Toronto FC II: Rothrock scored the only goal of the game in Toronto’s 1-0 win against the New England Revolution II and had four shots overall while completing 25 of 32 passes.

M – Joao Delgado, FC Tucson: Delgado recorded two assists and had four key passes overall while completing 28 of 34 passes in Tucson’s 4-2 victory against the Richmond Kickers and also notched six recoveries defensively.

M – Blaine Ferri, North Texas SC: Ferri had a strong game in the center of the field for North Texas, completing 71 of 79 passes overall and notching two shots and three key passes in attack while also winning 8 of 11 duels and making seven recoveries in his side’s 1-1 draw with Union Omaha.

M – Steffen Yeates, Toronto FC II: Yeates kept Toronto moving in the center of midfield, completing 40 of 46 passes, 2 of 2 dribbles and two key passes while recording three interceptions, four recoveries and winning 2 of 2 tackles in his side’s win against the New England Revolution II.

F – Emiliano Terzaghi, Richmond Kickers: Terzaghi capped his second consecutive Golden Boot campaign with his 18th goal of the season against FC Tucson and recorded six shots while winning 9 of 16 duels at Kino North Stadium.

F – Shak Adams, FC Tucson: Adams scored the final goal of the night for Tucson in its 4-2 win against the Richmond Kickers and completed two key passes and 13 of 16 passes overall to help his side seal a place in the 2021 League One Playoffs, presented by TwinSpires.

2021 USL League One Playoffs Presented by TwinSpires: Quarterfinals Schedule

TAMPA, Fla. – After a dramatic conclusion to the regular season on Saturday night that concluded a five-game slate of games in which the final three postseason berths were decided, the USL League One Playoffs, presented by TwinSpires, begin Saturday, Nov. 6 with two Quarterfinal matches, both of which will stream live on ESPN+.

Six teams have qualified for the single-elimination USL League One Playoffs. Home-field advantage goes in order of final position in the standings, with No. 1 seed Union Omaha and No. 2 seed Greenville Triumph SC earning a bye to the Semifinals.

Click here for: PLAYOFF BRACKET | COMPLETE COVERAGE

2021 USL League One Playoffs, presented by TwinSpires
(All times Eastern; home team listed first)

Saturday, Nov. 6
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC vs. North Texas SC, 7 p.m. ET, CHI Memorial Stadium
FC Tucson vs. Richmond Kickers, 10 p.m. ET, Kino North Stadium

All five playoff matches including the USL League One Final will be streamed live on ESPN+. Playoff match dates are as follows:

Quarterfinals – Nov. 5-7
Semifinals – Nov. 12-14
Final – Nov. 19-21

Also on ESPN+ is the USL Playoff Preview Show, which premieres Monday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. ET and will be available on demand throughout the week. Josh Eastern, Devon Kerr and Joe Malfa will break down the USL Championship and League One Playoffs.

For more information about USL League One, visit uslleagueone.com and follow @USLLeagueOne on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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