USL Richmond Kickers

Celebrate Mother's Day with the Kickers

Published on May 10, 2006 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, May 10, 2006) - Join the Richmond Kickers for Mother's Day, this Sunday, May 14th as they host the Harrisburg City Islanders. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium and the first 500 moms through the gate will receive a free carnation courtesy of Wilkinson's Flowers. Plus, fans will have the chance to win a spa package courtesy of Nesbit Salon located at 2311 W. Main Street. Stay after the pro game for the second leg of a doubleheader with the Richmond Kickers Future of the Premier Development League as they kick off the 2006 season versus the Northern Virginia Royals at 6:30 p.m.

The Kickers will travel to defending champion Charlotte Eagles on Friday before returning home to take on the City Islanders on Sunday for the first time in the history of the two franchises. Named 2005 USL Second Division Organization of the Year, the City Islanders finished the 2005 season third in the USL Second Division with a regular season record of 12-3-5, losing to eventual USL Second Division Champion Charlotte in the semi-finals under the guidance of USL Second Division Coach of the Year Bill Becher. Last week, Harrisburg tied the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 2-2 on the road while the Kickers shutout the Long Island Rough Riders with a scoreline of 5-0.

U.S. Open Cup Format

For the second consecutive year, a total of 42 (26 professional and 16 amateur) teams will compete in the 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup when it kicks off in June. The Richmond Kickers first six regular season games (April 22nd through May 27th) will double as U.S. Open Cup qualifiers. The top six of the nine teams in the USL Second Division, including defending league champion Charlotte Eagles, will qualify for Cup play based on point percentage from regular season games played through May 28th. Charlotte and the top three qualifiers will enter the Second Round on June 28th while the bottom two qualifiers enter the First Round on June 14th.

Dating back to 1914, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in the United States and is among the oldest in the world. Open to all affiliated and professional teams in the United States, the 91-year old, single-elimination domestic cup competition gives any affiliated team in the United States a chance at winning the title of "United States Club Champions."

Players To Watch

Kickers: Midfielder Sascha Görres (#23) returns to the roster after finishing a graduate degree in Germany. Görres last appeared in the 2005 USL First Division championship final when he tallied the Kickers only goal with a 30-yard rocket, named Shot of the Week by Fox Soccer Channel. Former MLS forward Chris Carrieri (#9) was named to the USL Second Division Team of the Week for his goal over Long Island last week, while midfielder Cristian Neagu (#10) registered his first two professional goals over the Rough Riders, also garnering Team of the Week honors. Goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale (#22) earned his first clean sheet of the season, shutting out the Rough Riders last week.

City Islanders: A regular starter and point producer for the Jamaican National Team, forward Teofore Bennett (#23) joined the City Islanders prior to the 2006 season after a stint with the Virginia Beach Mariners (USL1). Bennett recorded the first goal of the season in last week's 2-2 draw at Pittsburgh. Midfielder Ryan O'Neill (#7) earned USL Second Division Team of the Week honors for leading the City Islanders to last week's result against the Riverhounds. A native of Preston, England, midfielder David Schofield (#10) finished the 2005 season fourth in the USL2 in assists with five and was named to the USL2 Second Team. Ghana International Sumed Ibrahim (#16) ranked fifth in the USL2 with 10 goals and seventh with 23 points last season before garnering USL2 First Team honors.

Richmond Kickers Future Open 2006 Season

The Richmond Kickers Future opens their fifth season in the Premier Development League (PDL) this Sunday, May 14th as the second leg of a doubleheader with the Richmond Kickers professional team, hosting the Northern Virginia Royals at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. The 2005 Eastern Conference Champion Future barely missed the PDL Championship last season, losing to El Paso in the semifinal round. Northern Virginia recently realigned with the PDL after eight years in the USL Second Division.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 10, 2006


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