Kickers advance to round three
Published on June 24, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
LUDLOW, MA - The Richmond Kickers advanced to the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a 2-1 win in Western Mass on Tuesday night. Kickers defender Kelvin Jones broke the ice in the 59th minute but the score was leveled minutes later by Pioneers leading scorer Jeff Deren. Richmond sealed the victory in the 84th minute on a Stanley Nyazamba tally. Shortly after, a flurry of red cards ensued when Kickers forward Pat Viray and Western Mass midfielder Anthony Augustine were simultaneously ejected, followed by sendoffs for Pioneers defender Federico Molinari and goalkeeper Matt Glaeser, all within the final minute of regulation. The Kickers will travel to take on the defending US Open Cup Champions New England Revolution of Major League Soccer on Tuesday, July 1st.
Richmond attempted to take an early lead to open the match in the first few minutes but was denied by the Western Mass goalkeeper. Midfielder Sascha Görres crossed the ball inside to forward David Bulow, who played the ball off to Nyazamba in close range. Glaeser smothered Nyazamba's strike to keep the Kickers off the board for the time being. Not long after, the Pioneers rattled the woodwork when a 30-yard free kick swung inside the box and was headed into the far post by a Western Mass player.
The two teams battled to a scoreless draw during the first 45 minutes and it wasn't until the 59th minute mark that the Kickers could capitalize. Defender Kelvin Jones notched his first goal of the season when he challenged Glaeser for a dropped ball. The ball bounced to Jones, two yards out and he poked it over the goal line to put the visiting team up 1-0.
The Kickers did not hold the lead for long when Pioneers leading scorer, Deren, collected a cross from the right side. He came out of a scramble at the penalty spot, turned quickly and struck a low ball into the far corner to level the score.
Both teams looked for the game-winner, producing dangerous chances on either side of the pitch but it was Richmond that connected in the 84th minute. Kickers defender Evan Harding sent a long ball up the field, that was flicked on by Bulow to forward Freddie Smith. Smith settled the ball and played it to an unmarked Nyazamba on the left side. The big midfielder touched the ball around Glaeser and found the target with a left-footed blast, despite the efforts of two Pioneers defenders positioned on the line.
As the final whistle drew near, the match was not without excitement as four players were shown red cards within the minute. Kickers forward Viray became caught up in a tousle with Augustine, minutes after entering the match, and each were sent off. Then, Molinari found the same fate, earning a second caution for a dangerous tackle while Glaeser was asked to leave after a scuffle with the referee.
The 2008 season marks the 10th time the Richmond Kickers have qualified for the U.S. Open Cup over the past 14 seasons and hold an overall record of 15-8 during tournament play. The Kickers claimed the U.S. Open Cup title the first year of the "Professional Era" in 1995 and have since made it to the quarterfinal round four times (1995, 2001, 2004, 2007), ousting three Major League Soccer teams along the way (Colorado Rapids 2000, DC United 2004, LA Galaxy 2007). With 54 total goals scored during the Open Cup, the Kickers set several franchise records as well as a Professional Era U.S. Open Cup record for most goals (12) during the 8-4 rout over the Ocean City Barons in 2005.
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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