USL Richmond Kickers

Are You The Next Dwayne De Rosario?

Published on February 10, 2009 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


Richmond, VA - (Tuesday, February 10, 2009) - Are you the next Dwayne De Rosario or Clyde Simms? Find out at the 2009 Richmond Kickers Combine this weekend, February 14-15 in Richmond, Virginia. If you have what it takes to play at the next level, register now via RichmondKickers.com to participate in two days of intense training and scrimmages in front of Kickers pro coaches and staff. Join the ranks of such players discovered by past Kickers trails including De Rosario, Simms, New Zealand National Team player Tim Brown and current Richmond Kickers fan favorite Ronnie Pascale.

"The Pro Combine is the most important event of the year for identifying players," explains Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach. "We typically sign two-three players from this event and it has proven to be valuable resource for the coaching staff. This year we expect a high level of play with participants traveling from around the globe to try and secure a professional contract with the Kickers."

A product of the Kickers 2004 combine, D.C. United midfielder Clyde Simms spent one season in Richmond before being recognized by D.C. United of Major League Soccer and the US Men's National Team. Simms appeared in 31 games for 2,571 minutes with the Kickers and started more games than any other rookie that season (28). An instrumental part of the midfield, the Jamestown, N.C. native recorded three goals, two of which were game-winners and was the only rookie to be named to the USL First Division Team of the Week twice.

"Richmond was the first pro team that I played for, playing with the caliber guys that they had there at the time," commented Simms. "The team was great - the staff and players were very welcoming and professional. I was able to get a good amount of playing time there, which was huge for my development and being able to make it to the next level."

As a member of the Kickers 2004 squad, Simms was given the opportunity to play against MLS teams D.C. United and Chicago Fire during the US Open Cup.

Simms added "Beating D.C. United during the Open Cup was the highlight of my time in Richmond. It gave me the chance to play against an MLS team, which I definitely looked up to at the time. We beat them 2-1 at home and to that point, it was the best feeling I'd had with soccer."

Now entering his fifth season with D.C. United, Simms solidified his position at defensive midfield in 2008, playing all but three minutes of the regular season. The team's iron man also played in all four CONCACAF Champions' Cup games, all four U.S. Open Cup games, all three SuperLiga games and four of six Champions League games. In total, he played in 45 games, tallying two goals and three assists. His 3,849 minutes in all competitions was the most-ever for a United player.

Past Richmond Kickers combines carry a long history of discovering players ready to play at the next level. Prior to Simms' success, the Kickers began the tradition of recognizing standouts in 2000 with Dwayne De Rosario.

Four-time MLS Cup winner and three-time MLS All-Star midfielder/forward De Rosario spent two seasons with the Richmond Kickers before making the move to MLS. Over the 1999 and 2000 campaigns, he notched 17 goals and 11 assists in 44 games played, leading the team to a 20-6-1 record with 15 goals and five assists in 2000.

"Dwayne played two seasons with the Kickers when he was very much a raw and up and coming talent," continues Cowlishaw. "He took time to settle in his first year with the team but his second season proved to be one of the most lethal goal scoring feats in Kickers history. Dwayne's awesome talent was always going to set him apart from the rest of the crowd, but the opportunity to play first team soccer and the confidence and experience that brings will always be beneficial to any young player."

During his debut season with the San Jose Earthquakes, De Rosario tallied five goals and four assists and was named MLS cup Final MVP for his championship-winning goal six minutes into overtime against the LA Galaxy. Since then, the native of Scarborough, Ontario has amassed 51 goals over his career in 186 appearances and was most recently acquired by Toronto FC.

Past Kickers trials have also produced such prominent players as Tim Brown (New Zealand National Team), Sascha Görres (Richmond Kickers Four-Year Standout), Ronnie Pascale (Richmond Kickers seven-year starter and two-time USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year) and Robert Ssejjemba (2006 USL-2 MVP and Ugandan National Team).

In franchise history, 22 players have progressed from the Richmond Kickers into Major League Soccer. Former Kickers players who have advanced to MLS include Mike Clark (Columbus Crew), Dwayne DeRosario (Houston Dynamo), Brian Kamler (D.C. United, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution), Brian Bates (Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn), Scott Budnick (Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny), Jeff Causey (New England Revolution, D.C. United), Ben Crawley (D.C. United), Ted Gillen (NY/NJ Metrostars), Gary Glasgow (Kansas City Wizards), Onandi Lowe (Kansas City Wizards), Mike McGinty (D.C. United), Mark Simpson (D.C. United), Todd Yeagley (Columbus Crew), Ihor Dotsenko (Kansas City Wizards), Rob Ukrop (New England Revolution), Richie Williams (D.C. United, NY/NJ Metrostars), David Testo (Columbus Crew), Clyde Simms (D.C. United), Joey Worthen (Real Salt Lake), Robert Ssejjemba (D.C. United), Ricky Schramm (New York Red Bulls) and Stanley Nyazamba (Columbus Crew).

Register now for the Richmond Kickers 2009 Combine and take a shot at becoming Major League Soccer's next big star. Interested candidates, please go to http://www.richmondkickers.com/docs/aleague/Tryouts/CombineApplicationandWaiver2009.pdf to download an application. All applications and payment must be received by February 12, 2009.

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