Delicate to Undergo Surgery June 3

May 31, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release

RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers announced that forward Matthew Delicate was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer and will undergo a partial nephrectomy to remove Renal Cell Carcinoma. Dr. Charlie Jung from Virginia Urology will perform the surgery at St. Mary's Hospital with robotic assistance on Friday, June 3. He is expected to miss 8-12 weeks.

A mass was discovered in Delicate's kidney during an ultrasound after he sustained a back injury at training earlier this month and a subsequent CT scan confirmed the carcinoma. No further treatment is expected following Friday's procedure.

"I was frustrated after hurting my back and not being able to train and feature for the team, but in hindsight, I am very fortunate to have caught this at an early stage," commented Delicate. "I hope the team continues to work hard in my absence and I am aiming for a full recovery as quickly as possible."

"Events such as this immediately put the importance of winning soccer matches into perspective," added Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. "We wish Deli a successful surgery, speedy recovery and look forward to having him score more goals for the Kickers in the months to come."

Currently in his 10th season with the Kickers, Delicate has made six appearances to start the 2016 campaign, contributing a goal against the Charlotte Independence on April 22.

He added six goals to his franchise-leading record in 2015 and posted his 200th point in a Kickers uniform in a 1-0 win over Montreal in April 2015. Consistently one of the top goal scorers in the league since his professional debut in 2004, Delicate eclipsed the club's all-time scoring record in 2012, having since amassed a total of 94 goals and 21 assists in 244 appearances over 10 seasons in Richmond. Spending the 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Rochester Rhinos, the native of Kent, England returned to Richmond in 2009 and led the club to back-to-back Championship appearances.

The 2003 CAA Player of the Year, Delicate holds the career record at Virginia Commonwealth University with 44 goals and 13 assists and is the first player to reach the century mark in career points (101).

United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 31, 2016

• U.S. Open Cup Challenge Could Give Arizona United a Boost - Phoenix Rising FC
• Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Kitsap Pumas - Sacramento Republic FC
• USL's 14-Team Field Set for Third Round of U.S. Open Cup - USL
• FCC Third in USL Standings; Travel to Tampa Bay Rowdies, Host Richmond Kickers - FC Cincinnati
• City Islanders Travel to Chattanooga for U.S. Open Cup Third Round - Penn FC
• Kickers Travel to Fort Lauderdale Wednesday - Richmond Kickers
• Hammerheads Advance to Round Three in 2016 Open Cup - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
• Smith Earns Accolade After 1st Goal - Louisville City FC
• Hildebrandt, Wiedeman Voted to USL Team of the Week - FC Cincinnati
• Herrera Named to USL Team of the Week - Saint Louis FC
• Real Monarchs' Velazco Named USL Player of the Week - USL
• Preview: Saint Louis FC Hosts Minnesota United in 3rd Round of U.S. Open Cup - Saint Louis FC
• Match Preview: San Antonio FC Travels to Face Des Moines Menace in U.S. Open Cup Third Round - San Antonio FC
• Delicate to Undergo Surgery June 3 - Richmond Kickers

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Richmond Kickers Stories

• Kickers Lose on the Road, 0-2 to Triumph
• Kickers Draw LaLiga2's C. D. Leganés 1-1 Behind O'Dwyer Goal
• CD Leganés Comes to Richmond for International Friendly
• Kickers Hold Even Through First 70, Ultimately Fall 0-2 to Chattanooga
• Marcelo Lage Signs with the Kickers, Bolsters Backline