USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Battle Orlando to Scoreless Draw

Published on April 28, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


ORLANDO, FL - The Richmond Kickers snapped Orlando City's win streak Saturday night, stealing a point off the defending USL PRO Champions at the Florida Citrus Bowl with a scoreless draw. The Kickers led the attack with 11 shots to seven and veteran goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale posted a pair of point blank saves to record his first shutout of the season.

Dominating the first half with eight shots to three, the Kickers tested Orlando goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo early, forcing four saves before the break.

First, with just five minutes expired, midfielder Ryan Heins intercepted the ball 30 yards out. Heavily marked, he eluded four defenders en route to the box where he took a point blank shot; however, Gallardo was ready and waiting to block his attempt.

Twenty minutes later, defender Henry Kalungi gathered the ball at midfield and carried it down the right wing. He delivered a cross to a wide open Christopher Agorsor who faced Gallardo 1v1 before firing a low driven ball from the top of the box, but was denied by a diving Gallardo. The Kickers newcomer danced around him to collect the rebound and forced a double save as his second attempt was snuffed out by the Orlando 'keeper.

Orlando answered back in the 27th minute when a deflected cross found Kevin Molino in the air at the top of the box. He played the ball on to forward Matt Luzunaris who turned and struck from 12 yards but Pascale, scooped up the ball, leaving the home side powerless.

Luzunaris made his presence known once more before the break when he received the ball at the six-yard box. With one touch, he turned quickly and released the ball only to see it glance inches from the near post.

Hoping to break the ice before the halftime whistle, midfielder Edson Elcock pulled a quick switch across the field to defender Sascha Görres near the far touchline. He took two steps and played a perfectly placed cross to an onrushing Heins but his flick on header was blocked by a Gallardo reaction save to curl the ball around the near post.

Orlando opened the second half with a new formation and four substitutes, shifting momentum in their favor; however, it was not until the 63rd minute that the Lions pressured the Kickers defense with a series of short passes just outside the box that left John Rooney open within striking distance. The midfielder one-timed a determined shot from the top of the 18 but Pascale leapt to his right to keep the Lions at bay.

Later, Kickers midfielder Stanley Nyazamba blasted a 40-yard rocket from distance that soared skyward before David Bulow set off on a foot race against Orlando's last defender, chasing down a long-ball from deep in Kickers territory. Settling the ball with one touch, he attempted to chip second half substitute Sean Kelley but the Orlando goalkeeper was in the right place at the right time and stopped Bulow's attempt short.

As the final minutes of regulation waned closer, the Kickers defensive unit weathered a late Orlando attack as the home side increased the pressure and congestion in the visitor's box to preserve their first clean sheet of the season.

The Kickers continue their two-game road stand when they travel to Dayton to take on the Dutch Lions on Saturday, May 5 before returning to Richmond City Stadium on Saturday, May 12 to host the Harrisburg City Islanders.

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 28, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central