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USL Richmond Kickers

Deli scores twice in back-and-forth affair

April 18, 2010 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers opened the 2010 regular season with a 2-2 draw against the Harrisburg City Islanders Saturday night. In nearly identical fashion to the 2009 home opener that saw Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte and Mike Burke connect on the first goal of the night, the pair did not disappoint with an 11th minute tally Saturday. Islanders forward Sheanon Williams leveled the score while Brian Ombiji gave Harrisburg the lead five minutes before the break. Delicâte came up big again to close out the night, converting a Sascha Görres cross in the 76th minute. The Kickers return to UR Stadium on Wednesday, April 21st to host the Mexican Olympic National Team at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

The Kickers opened scoring early when Görres played a long, diagonal ball to Burke on the right wing. The crafty midfielder played a brilliant cross to an onrushing Delicâte, who tapped the ball home for the first goal of the season in the 11th minute.

Minutes later, Kickers forward Edson Elcock volleyed a cross from Chris Carrieri after dispossessing defender Toni Stahl in his own third, but his attempt sailed wide.

The Islanders were not to be held down for long, recording the equalizer in the 17th minutes. A header from Kickers defender Henry Kalungi to goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale came up short, allowing Williams to get a touch on the ball. His strike rebounded off Pascale but fell back to Williams, 14 yards out, who redirected it into the back of the net.

As the Kickers searched to regain the lead, a cross from the left side found Carrieri at the far post. He played a header to a streaking Gerson dos Santos, who fired from 10 yards, only to have his attempt stifled by a Harrisburg defender.

Harrisburg's first goal of the night was almost repeated in the 33rd minute when Shea Salinas intercepted a Kickers pass back to Pascale. Although he was able to get around the keeper, Salinas' shot was from too tough of an angle and fell to the side netting.

The Kickers nearly found the target in the 37th minute when Elcock crossed the ball to an unmarked Delicâte, eight yards in front of the goal mouth. The big forward was not able to get the header down and the ball grazed inches over the crossbar.

The saga continued five minutes before the break when Harrisburg claimed the lead for the first time during the night. After a nice combination play in the midfield, Kai Kasiguran was able to head the ball to a wide-open Ombiji at the penalty spot. With time to control the ball, Ombiji calmly slotted the ball into the left corner.

The Kickers almost answered on the restart with a goal of their own as Burke connected with Elcock but his diving header soared wide right of the goal.

Finding their stride in the second half, Kickers midfielder Gerson dos Santos won a header off a Kickers corner that was barely cleared off the line by a Harrisburg defender on the far post.

Stifling the opposition's attack throughout the half, the Kickers leveled the score in the 76th minute when Görres delivered a banana-cross from the left side, finding a loosely marked Delicâte who nodded the ball over goalkeeper Danny Cepero from 12 yards out.

As time wound down, Görres launched a free kick from just outside the penalty area. With seconds until the final whistle, his left-footed attempt narrowly missed the upper 90.

The Kickers host stars of the Mexican First Division next Wednesday, April 21st when they face the Mexican Olympic National Team at 7:30 p.m. at UR Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase at any Mexico Restaurant location, RISE, Strictly Soccer, Soccer Post and at RichmondKickers.com.

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