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Richmond Kickers

Kickers Travel to New York Red Bulls II Saturday

March 31, 2017 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA- The Richmond Kickers play the first road game of their 25th Anniversary season this Saturday, April 1 when they travel to Montclair, New Jersey to face defending USL Champions New York Red Bulls II at 4:00 p.m. The match will be broadcast live from Montclair State University on USLsoccer.com/match-center.

The Kickers meet the third-year club for the first time this season, leading the all-time series record, 3-1-1. Richmond midfielder Patrick McCann has the interesting distinction of having played for both teams, after spending the 2016 preseason with New York Red Bulls II in 2016.

The two clubs met twice last season, with both matches ending in dramatic fashion with 90th minute game-tying and game-winning goals. The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena in May of 2016. Anatole Abang scored an unassisted goal in the 68th minute, before Kickers defender Alex Lee assisted on the 90th minute equalizer to salvage a point.

Richmond edged a 2-1 victory at City Stadium in July. Brandon Allen opened the scoring for NYRB II in the 10th minute, assisted by Derrick Ettiene. Yudai Imura responded with a 12th minute penalty kick goal, and Jackson Eskay scored in the 90th minute to win the game for the Kickers.

The Kickers opened their 25th Anniversary season on March 25 with a 1-0 win against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Goalkeeper Travis Worra made a heroic penalty kick save before defender Conor Shanosky headed in Fred Owusu Sekyere's service from a free kick to take the lead.

NYRB II drew 3-3 at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in their opener on March 25. Florian Valot and Vincent Bezcourt scored for the Red Bulls, with all of their goals taking the lead in the back and forth affair. The Riverhounds leveled the score once more in the 81st minute as the Red Bulls II conceded points on the road.

The Kickers and the Red Bulls II swap home field advantage on Saturday, June 3 to conclude the two-game regular season series.

Players to Watch:

Kickers: Attacking midfielder Yudai Imura (#14) scored a 12th minute penalty kick goal the last time these two teams played, and had another great runout on March 25 against the Harrisburg City Islanders. He had a breakout season in 2016, his first full season with the Kickers. Imura appeared in 30 of 33 games, scoring 11 goals and adding two assists. Veteran defender and captain Conor Shanosky (#5) headed in the game-winning goal against Harrisburg on March 25, contributed to the team's clean sheet and earned USL Team of the Week honors. Shanosky made 15 appearances for Louisville City FC last season, adding one goal before being released to sign with Richmond. Defensive midfielder Fred Owusu Sekyere (#4) anchored the midfield and served up a perfect cross for Shanosky's goal on March 25. The Ghanaian national has Richmond roots, starring at Virginia Commonwealth University, since making 61 appearances in a Kickers uniform.

Red Bulls II : Vincent Bezecourt (#88) knocked in two goals for New York in their March 25 draw against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The French left midfielder is in his second season of his professional career, recording eight goals (second on the team) and six assists (third on the team) in 22 appearances last year despite being sidelined through injury for three months. Florian Valot's (#22) left-footed shot from the center of the box put NYRB II ahead 1-0 on March 25. Also a French national in his second USL season, Valot totaled three goals in 18 appearances for NYRB II last year, recording an assist in his debut appearance. Junior Flemmings (#70) was second on the team with seven goals in 24 appearances last season and featured as one of two strikers on March 25, alongside Valot. The Jamaican national began his career with his youth club, Tivoli Gardens FC, where he amassed 10 goals in 25 appearances over three seasons.

I Heart Carytown Craft Beer Festival - April 8

Following Saturday's road trip, the Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium to host the second annual I Heart Carytown Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, April 8. The party starts at 3:00 p.m. with live music by Stonebrook Moonshine, Carytown restaurants and food trucks and over 20 craft beers and ciders on tap, plus wine from James River Cellars, before the Richmond Kickers take on Louisville at 5:00 p.m. City Stadium, located just blocks from Carytown, offers ample free parking and a convenient stop for Spoken4 Pedicabs that will be running free of charge from City Stadium to Carytown from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. I Heart Carytown Craft Beer Festival tickets, which include game admission and a beer/wine or lemonade are on sale now for $15.00 atRichmondKickers.com.

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