Kickers blanked in loss
Published on July 1, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
NEW BRITAIN, CT - After nearly a two-hour lightning delay at Veterans Stadium, the Richmond Kickers 2008 US Open Cup run came to an end, courtesy of a 3-0 loss to the New England Revolution. The Kickers held the defending Champions to a scoreless first half before surrendering three goals to Sam Brill, Joe Germanese and Taylor Twellman to finish the match.
The Kickers applied pressure out of the gates and could have taken an early lead on an Adrian Bumbut attempt in the 19th minute. Played through by forward David Bulow, Bumbut rushed towards the goal and tried to touch it around goalkeeper Doug Warren. With effort, Warren charged off his line and made a sliding stop to push the ball wide.
Minutes later, the Kickers looked dangerous again, this time with Richmond sending an angled ball into the box from the left side. An unmarked Stanley Nyazamba ran through the defense, but misfired skyward from six yards.
Later, Twellman wanted to get on the board when a cross from the left side was cleared poorly. From eight yards out, Twellman could not get control of the ball and made a feeble attempt from close-range.
The teams entered the break scoreless but the ice was broken shortly after the second half restart when New England capitalized on a corner kick within one minute from resuming play. Midfielder Chris Tierney delivered an out-swinging ball from the left side to Brill, who was making a near post run and buried a diving header into the net.
Richmond missed a great chance to equalize in the 55th minute when Nyazamba broke clear with the ball and sent a curling pass into the path of an onrushing Bumbut, unmarked at the 25 yard line. He carried the ball into the box and drilled a shot from 15 yards as Warren came off his line but the keeper was able to redirect the missile over the crossbar.
The Revolution doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when defender Chase Hilgenbrinck played a long, diagonal ball a cross the field, finding Germanese on the right wing. The rookie midfielder dribbled into the box and struck a low drive under the diving Ronnie Pascale.
New England sealed Richmond's fate five minutes later when Tierney picked up his second assist on the night. He swung a cross into the box from the left side, finding Twellman in the air at the near post. The header by the Revs all-time leading scorer overpowered Pascale who got a hand on the ball but could not stop the force.
Soon after, Twellman attempted to repeat his earlier goal when he received a corner again at the near post. He got a head on it but Kickers midfielder Sascha Görres cleared it off the line to swing the momentum for one last fighting chance to cut the deficit. Richmond midfielder Ian Bennett carried the ball unmarked down the right flank and crossed it in behind the defense to forward Freddie Smith. With an open goal his target, Smith's free header was cut short by Warren in an attempt to preserve his clean sheet.
Richmond are mid-way through a six-game road stand and have two more regular season contests before their homecoming at the University of Richmond on Saturday, July 12th. The Kickers return to USL-2 action on Friday, July 4th to take on the Real Maryland Monarchs before heading east to face the Bermuda Hogges on Sunday, July 6th.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 1, 2008
- City Stars Dream U.S. Open Cup Run Comes To An End In Chicago - Cleveland City Stars
- Kickers blanked in loss - Richmond Kickers
- City Stars take 4-1 decision - Cleveland City Stars
- James River Cup Comes To Exciting Close Thursday - 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.
