Future Post First Win Of The Season
Published on June 24, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
Richmond, VA - (Tuesday, June 24, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers Future of the Premier Development League (PDL) grabbed their first win of the season during Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Virginia Legacy. Midfielder Andy McIntosh notched their first goal, assisted by Boris Gatzky, who added a second tally to seal the victory. The Future play at home again this Saturday, June 28th when they host the Cape Cod Crusaders at 3:00 pm at Sports Backers Stadium as the first leg of a doubleheader with the Richmond Kickers Destiny who take the field at 7:00 pm.
McIntosh put the home team up in the 25th minute last Saturday when Gatzky swung a cross into the box, finding the player/assistant coach at the far post and inches from the target. As the Legacy goalkeeper dove right, McIntosh tapped the ball into the open net to take the lead. The Future held the Legacy scoreless for the remainder of the first half but did not stay up for long after the restart when midfielder Marcus Dixon leveled the score two minutes in. Dixon converted a Justin Vaughter cross for the equalizer in the 47th minute. With the Future outshooting the Legacy 14-7 in the second half, they finally connected in the 75th minute when Gatzky fired a rocket from the right side of the box, 12 yards out. His shot sailed past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Ryan McArthur and into the lower left hand corner of the net. The Future continued to apply pressure as the clock wound down and came up victorious at the final whistle. With the win, the Future climb out of the Mid-Atlantic Division basement with a record of 1-6-3 and six points.
The Future look to continue winning ways this Saturday, June 28th when the Cape Cod Crusaders come to town. Cape Cod currently leads the New England division of the Eastern Conference and are one of four out-of-division teams the Future are slated to meet this season. Unbeaten in their last five fixtures, the Crusaders boast a record of 7-2-1 and 22 points. Most recently, they downed the Ottawa Fury, 4-1, with forward Christopher Wright adding a pair of goals to the final scoreline. Always a strong contender in the PDL, Cape Cod has two PDL Championship titles under their belt (2002, 2003). The past two seasons, they made it to the conference finals, falling just short in the title match.
Destiny Fall To League Leaders In Atlanta
Meanwhile, the Richmond Kickers Destiny look to bounce back after a 3-0 loss to the W-League leading Atlanta Silverbacks last Friday. The 2007 W-League Finalists took an early lead on a pair of Sarah Steinmann tallies in the 6th and 28th minutes. The Destiny held Atlanta to a 2-0 lead and attempted several chances including three shots each by U-23 National Team defender Nikki Krzysik and forward Caitlin Miskel while Destiny goalkeeper Chantel Jones came up with 10 saves. The Destiny could not find the back of the net and Silverbacks midfielder Lyndsey Patterson rounded out the score in the 86th minute.
Following Friday's match, the Destiny traveled to RFK Stadium for an exhibition match against the Washington Freedom who are slated to join the WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) in 2009. The Destiny suffered a 5-0 loss to the Freedom, who are one of the original teams in WUSA. After allowing four goals in the first half, the Destiny rallied after the restart and held Washington to just one tally during the second half.
The Freedom officially joined the W-League during the 2007 season taking the W-League Championship title that year and their roster currently features such stars as US Women's National Team player Christie Welsh and fan favorite Lori Lindsey, as well as two former Richmond Kickers Destiny players Becky Sauerbrunn and Jenn Parsons.
The Destiny return home after a three-week road stand on Saturday, June 28th to host W-League expansion franchise West Virginia Illusion. The Destiny are currently tied with the Illusion at three points with a game in hand, each posting just one win this season. The Illusion are winless since their June 12th victory over the Bradenton Athletics. Most recently, they narrowly missed the mark against the Hampton Roads Piranhas last weekend. West Virginia forward Megan Mischler gave the Illusion the lead in the 37th minute but they could not come back from two unanswered Hampton Roads goals in the second half. The Destiny and Illusion take the field at 7:00 pm, following the PDL contest, at Sports Backers Stadium this weekend.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 24, 2008
- Stars pull out OT win - Cleveland City Stars
- Kickers advance to round three - Richmond Kickers
- Final Minute Penalty Kick Knocks Charlotte From Open Cup - Charlotte Eagles
- Eagles Face Battery in Open Cup - Charlotte Eagles
- Future Post First Win Of The Season - Richmond Kickers
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