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Richmond Kickers

Kickers Host Charleston Saturday

September 16, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA- The oldest rivalry in American professional soccer history continues this Saturday, September 17 at 5:00 p.m. when the Richmond Kickers (12-7-9) host the Charleston Battery (12-7-9) at City Stadium. Rivals for over two decades, Saturday's match marks the 59th meeting between the Kickers and the Battery, serving as the Kickers final regular season home game. The party starts at 3:30 p.m. with live music by Box Car, RVA food trucks and over a dozen craft beers on tap. Fans wearing red will receive a drink ticket included in their admission and a limited edition adidas t-shirt and ticket package is on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

The Kickers and the Battery meet Saturday for the third and final time this season, having last battled to a 1-1 draw at City Stadium on August 31. The Kickers took a second half lead when Anthony Grant notched his third goal of the season but his efforts were annulled with 20 minutes remaining in regulation when Battery midfielder Justin Portillo buried the equalizer.

Earlier in the season, the Battery gained the series advantage when they handed the Kickers a 2-0 loss at MUSC Heath Stadium to narrowly lead the all-time series record 25-24-9. Despite outshooting the Battery 14-8 and gaining an advantage after Charleston was reduced to 10 men in the second half, the Kickers could not overcome the deficit from a pair of first half goals by Taylor Mueller and Heviel Cordoves in a span of seven minutes.

With 10 days remaining in the regular season, the tightly contested playoff race continues with five points separating five teams in the USL Eastern Conference standings. After a scoreless draw with fourth place Charlotte Independence (49 points) last week, the Kickers now rank fifth in the Eastern Conference. Charleston collected a critical three points with a 2-1 win over Bethlehem Steel FC last week and are now tied with Richmond and Rochester on 45 points, trailing third place FC Cincinnati by five points.

The Kickers travel to Wilmington for the regular season finale on Saturday, September 24 before the 2016 USL Playoffs kick off one week later.

Players to Watch Kickers: Defender Alex Lee (#18) contributed to the club's 12th shutout of the season when they held Charlotte scoreless at City Stadium on Wednesday. Signing with the Kickers prior to the 2013 campaign, the defender was the first pick in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft for FC Dallas following a standout collegiate career at the University of Maryland. Discovered during a coaching staff scouting trip with reigning Brazilian Champions S.C. Corinthians in S=E3o Paulo last fall, midfielder Romulo Peretta (#12) earned his second professional start during the Kickers mid-week clash with Charlotte. Previously, he featured regularly for AA Flamengo, leading the club to a semifinal finish in the U20 Campeonato Paulista (State Cup). Newcomer Conor Shanoksy (#29) made his return to the Kickers starting lineup on Wednesday after joining the team from Louisville City FC days before the USL Roster Freeze. Signed by D.C. United as a Homegrown Player in 2010, the defender spent the majority of the 2013 and 2014 seasons on loan in Richmond where he made 35 appearances and anchored the Kickers back line to the best defensive record in the league on route to the 2013 USL Regular Season Championship title.

Battery: Midfielder Andrew Carleton (#30) became MLS expansion franchise Atlanta United's first-ever Homegrown Player when he signed with the Battery's official MLS affiliate in June. Turning 16 years old on June 22, Carleton made his professional debut last week on loan with the Battery, before playing a full 90 minutes in the club's 2-1 win over Bethlehem three days later. Recovering from an injury-blighted first year in 2013 that restricted him to just six games played, Cuban midfielder Maikel Chang (#12) returned to full strength last season and has appeared in all but one match during the 2016 campaign. Leading the team with six assists, he recently added his fifth goal of the season against Bethlehem to lead the Battery to a 2-1 win. Forward Ataulla Guerra (#10) contributed an assist on the opening goal before burying the game-winner in the Battery's 2-1 win over Bethlehem last week. The Trinidad & Tobago international signed with Charleston prior to the 2016 season, scoring his first goal in a Battery uniform last week.

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