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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Bounced from U.S. Open Cup by Columbus

June 17, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers were ousted from the 2015 U.S. Open Cup by Columbus Crew SC Wednesday night, 3-1, in a Fourth Round match-up at City Stadium. Crew SC forward Adam Bedell gave the Major League Soccer side an early lead but Kickers midfielder Fred Owusu Sekyere leveled the score minutes later. Columbus midfielder Ethan Finlay capitalized on a defensive error late in the first half before Bedell posted his second goal of the night with a second half tally to carry Columbus through to the Round of 16.

An eventful first half saw Columbus take the lead inside the first 20 minutes when defender Chad Barson played the ball to Bedell on the right wing who handed it off to a streaking Ben Speas at the touchline. Speas whipped in a dangerous cross and connected with Bedell who nodded home his first goal of the night just inside the near post.

The Kickers responded in the 23rd minute when a give and go freed Nate Shiffman in the midfield. He switched the ball to Michael Callahan racing down the right flank who slotted it back to Owusu approaching the box but his resulting blast soared skyward.

Finding himself in scoring position again seconds later, Owusu made no mistake this time, lining up a free kick that was awarded when Eli Garner drew a foul 20 yards out. His angled shot bounced through the swarming box and eluded Columbus defenders before curling into the far corner to draw the scoreline level at one goal apiece.

With the halftime whistle looming, Barson met midfielder Hector Jimenez with a leading ball down the right touchline. He cut inside and blasted a determined shot from the top of the box, but Kickers goalkeeper Ryan Taylor leapt to parry it over the bar in the 33rd minute.

However, the duo was not to be denied a second time when Barson received the ball in the midfield and chipped it to Jimenez who chested it down at the touchline before floating a cross into the six yard box. Taylor came out to cradle the ball but bobbled it before dropping it to the feet of an awaiting Finlay who tapped the rebound inside the left post to regain the advantage just before the break.

The Kickers held the MLS side until the hour mark when Crew SC struck again to increase their lead. Deep on the right side, Jimenez floated a cross to the far post where it was cleared out by the Kickers defense. Midfielder Kristinn Steindorsson kept the ball in play on the left sideline and played it to Tony Tchani just inside the box. With his back to goal, he settled the ball and centered it for Bedell at the top of the box who turned and rocketed a right-footed shot that rattled the underside of the crossbar before narrowly crossing the goal line.

In a last-gasp effort to pull a goal back, Kickers defender William Yomby charged into Columbus territory before feeding the ball wide to Stephen Basso on the left side. Basso's cross was deflected over the endline and called upon George Davis IV to tee up the subsequent free kick. He served a short outswinger, meeting Houston Oldham who flew in towards the near post but his header glanced inches past the upright to end the Kickers' run in this year's tournament.

The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium on Saturday, June 20 when they host the Wilmington Hammerheads and Summer Fest, presented by Union Bank & Trust and Bounce 2 The Moon. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

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