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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Battle Orange County to 1-1 Draw

August 31, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


IRVINE, CA - The Richmond Kickers battled the Orange County Blues to a 1-1 draw on the road Saturday night. Taking an early lead on a Jason Yeisley tally, the Kickers conceded the equalizer six minutes later to settle for one point at the University of California - Irvine's Anteater Stadium.

Testing Orange County goalkeeper Jose Miranda and earning a series of corners inside the first 10 minutes, the Kickers capitalized on their early persistence and broke the ice in the 18th minute. Defender Conor Shanosky teed up a free kick deep in his own half, which pinged around just outside the box before defender Jacob Barron attempted to nod the ball back to Cesar Rivera. An onrushing Michael Callahan intercepted the loose ball and laid it off to Yeisley who powered a punishing 20-yard blast just under the crossbar.

The visitors' celebrations were cut short, however, as the Blues responded six minutes later when Rivera called for the ball in the midfield and laid it off to Brenton Griffiths who thread the ball through to Seung Ju Kim. Kim fed it to Barron, stationed at the top of the box with his back to goal, freeing Kim to loft a ball to the far post, connecting with Andrew Hoxie who buried a diving header past Kickers goalkeeper Ryan Taylor.

Sparked by the quick counter, the Kickers nearly gained the advantage again in the 32nd minute when Shanosky delivered a long ball to the top of the box, searching for Yeisley but was denied by the Blues defense. Kickers midfielder Samuel Asante won the ball back, slicing a pass to George Davis IV but was intercepted by Mehrshad Momeni who attempted to clear the ball to Kim on the left touch line before Kickers defender Sascha Görres stripped the ball off his foot and played it back to Shay Spitz inside the box. The former Orange County midfielder centered the ball for Yeisley but he hooked his close range shot just wide of the far post to keep the scoreline level into the halftime break.

Picking up where they left off after the restart, Asante stole possession in the midfield, eluded defenders and slotted a low ball to Spitz. Spitz squared the ball for Yeisley but his shot from the top of the six yard box glanced just wide of the left post in the 53rd minute.

Five minutes later, Kickers midfielder Luke Vercollone drew a free kick in the midfield and delivered a long ball to the penalty spot where a lurking William Yomby attempted a swift flicked header that forced Miranda to make a diving save.

The Blues answered back just past the hour mark when a give and go between Christopher Santana and Barron sprung Santana free to turn his mark and blast a shot towards the upper 90 but the effort soared skyward.

Later, an off the ball foul resulted in a red card ejection to Kickers defender Conor Shanosky as the 10-men Kickers held on through six minutes of stoppage time and a late Enrique Cardenas shot from point blank range to preserve the point.

The Kickers westward road trip continues on Monday, September 1 when they take on the LA Galaxy II at 10:30 p.m. EST, live from StubHub Center on YouTube.com/RichmondKickers. One week later, the Kickers conclude the 2014 USL PRO regular season on the road with a rematch against Orlando City on September 6 before kicking off postseason play at City Stadium with a Quarterfinal match-up on Saturday, September 13. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

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