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Richmond Kickers

Imura Leads Kickers Rally over Toronto

April 25, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers (2-3-1) came from behind to down Toronto FC II (0-4-1) Saturday night at City Stadium. Aidan Daniels opened the scoring for Toronto in the 9th minute, as Yudai Imura responded two minutes later to level the score. An own goal by Brandon Onkony was enough to give the Kickers their second victory of the season.

Toronto broke the deadlock just after nine minutes through Aidan Daniels. Malik Daniels controlled the ball right at the midfield line and made a run up the right flank, having enough pace to get around Yudai Imura. As he reached the end line, Johnson played a cross in for Shaan Hundal in front of goal. He could not control the ball enough for a shot and left it for Daniels, who came in and snuck inside the near post and past Travis Worra for the opener.

The Kickers would respond right away as Yudai Imura scored his second of the season in the 11th minute. Raul Gonzalez sent the ball in towards the near post from the right corner to Dane Kelly, making his Kickers debut. Kelly turned for a shot on goal and had it blocked by Romeo Rocco. He pounced on the rebound and turned to pass it back for Yudai Imura. He would go for the top right corner from about 25 yards out to level the score with a rocket.

Malik Johnson looked to put the Toronto back in the lead in the 24th minute. Gideon Waja took control of the ball at the top of the Richmond box. Looking for a shot, Waja elected to make a short pass for Johnson just to the right of goal, and playing a shot to the right of Travis Worra as he dove to make the save.

A pair of chance for Richmond nearly gave them the lead, starting with one from Brian Shriver as came close to his third goal of the season in the 32nd minute. Koby Osei-Wusu switched the field getting a cross over to Shriver up the left flank. He took two touches to get enough space for a shot that ended up going wide by inches of the far post. Two minutes later, Austin Yearwood found space on the left side of the field that nearly found the head of Osei-Wusu.

A own goal from Brandon Onkony in the 55th minute gave the Kickers the breakthrough. A team effort moving the ball up the field, Raul Gonzalez touched the ball to Imura, who in turn fed the ball up for second-half substitute Giuseppe Gentile. He flicked the ball over for Gonzalez as he was continuing his run up the right side. Gonzalez cut in towards goal and sent in a low, fast cross trying to pick out either Brian Shriver or Gentile. He ended up finding the feet of Onkony, as he redirected the ball into his own net.

Toronto pushed for an equalizer in the 60th minute through Malik Johnson. Steffen Yeates played the ball out wide right for Johnson in front of the Toronto bench. Johnson looked for options to play to, and as he found no one in space, took a shot from the top of the Richmond 18-yard box that forced Travis Worra to tip the ball over the net to concede a corner kick.

Raul Gonzalez came close to getting a third goal for the Kickers in the 68th minute. Brian Shriver found an opening and fed the ball through for Raul Gonzalez charging up the right side. Before Robert Boskovic could slide in for the stop, Gonzalez tried to sneak the ball through Angelo Cavalluzzo's legs, but the keeper was quick to make the stop.

The Kickers have another 11-day break before they return to action as they hit the road against Bethlehem Steel FC Sunday, May 6 for a 5:00 p.m. kickoff. That match will be available on the the Kickers Official Television Partners WTVR CBS 6 via their 6.3 sub channel (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466) and streaming online on ESPN+. Following that match, the Kickers will return home to City Stadium Saturday, May 12 as the Tampa Bay Rowdies come to town for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Bark and Brew Fest with live music by Rear View Mirror, pet-centric vendors and RVA food trucks including legendary burgers from Carytown Burgers & Fries, Mediterranean-inspired kebobs and sandwiches from Sticks Kebob Shop and all-natural smoothies from Pulp Fiction. Tickets are available now at RichmondKickers.com.

BOX SCORE

First Half Second Half Final

Richmond 1 1 2

Toronto 1 0 1

LINEUPS

Richmond GK Travis Worra, Braeden Troyer, Conor Shanosky, Mekeil Williams, Austin Yearwood, Oscar Umar, Yudai Imura (87' - Heviel Cordovés), Raul Gonzalez, Brian Shriver (90' - Luiz Fernando), Koby Osei-Wusu, Dane Kelly (45' - Giuseppe Gentile)

Unused Substitutes: Trevor Spangenberg, Fred Owusu Sekyere, Neil Hlavaty, Mallan Roberts

Toronto GK Angelo Cavalluzzo, Brandon Onkony, Romeo Rocco, Robert Boskovic, Kyle Bjornethun (79' - Luca Petrasso), Steffen Yeates, Noble Okello (66' - Olakunle Dada-Luke), Gideon Waja, Malik Johnson, Shaan Hundal (58' - Aikim Andrews), Aidan Daniels

Unused Substitutes: Gianluca Catalano, Luca Uccello, Lars Eckenrode, Ayo Akinola

STATISTICS

Shots Saves Fouls Corners

Richmond 10 2 10 5

Toronto 7 1 8 4

SCORING SUMMARY

9' TOR Aidan Daniels (Shaan Hundal)

11' RIC Yudai Imura (Dane Kelly)

55' RIC Own Goal (Brandon Onkony)

CAUTIONS SUMMARY

78' RIC Koby Osei-Wusu

81' RIC Giuseppe Gentile

EJECTIONS SUMMARY

None.

MATCH INFORMATION

Referee: Marcos Deoliveira

Assistant Referees: JC Griggs, Nickrod Fateh

Fourth Official: Robert Velbis

Attendance: 2,623

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 64 ºF

Please call 804-644-5425 ext. 316 for more information.

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics

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