USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Celebrate July 4th With 3-0 Win Over Charlotte

Published on July 4, 2009 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers celebrated a 3-0 win over the Charlotte Eagles in front of a Fourth of July crowd of 3,577 Saturday afternoon. Kickers forward David Bulow hit the target twice while midfielder Gerson dos Santos notched his first professional goal in the first half to take an early lead over their southern rivals. Despite playing the entire second half with just 10 men, following a red card ejection to Kickers defender Yomby William, the Kickers were able to keep Charlotte off the scoreboard. With four saves, goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale posted his fifth shutout of the season to preserve the win. The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium next Saturday, July 11 to host the Bermuda Hogges at 7:00 p.m.

On a warm, sunny, Independence Day, the Kickers opened the attack in the 7th minute. A long throw-in was flicked on to an open Chris Carrieri at the six yard line. Carrieri settled the ball and fired but his shot went straight into goalkeeper Steward Ceus' arms.

Two minutes later, Carrieri looked dangerous again, carrying the ball down the field before sending a back heel pass to an overlapping Sascha Görres deep on the left wing. Görres sent a cross into the box, finding Matthew Delicâte at the far post but Ceus dove to push his header wide.

The Kickers were not to be denied on the 10 minute mark when Mike Burke delivered the resulting corner into the box. The ball was cleared out but William collected the rebound and fired on goal. Stationed inches from the goal, Bulow redirected the strike with his back heel and buried the ball from close range.

Three minutes later, for the first time this evening, Charlotte showed up dangerous in front of the goal. A cross from the right side was met by forward Amaury Nunes seven yards out, but his header went just over the bar.

Doubling the lead in the 34th minute, dos Santos and Bulow played a give-and-go in a crowded midfield. Eluding the last defender, dos Santos attempted a shot that was blocked by Ceus. Collecting the deflection, dos Santos rounded the goalkeeper and poked it across the open goalmouth, curling the ball to the far post and into the goal.

The Kickers replicated their first goal of the night 39 minutes into the first half, when William again recovered a cleared corner and was able to shoot from the top of the box. Bulow, positioned at the left post was able to get another touch on the ball and his deflection gave the home side a cushiony three-goal lead as the end of the first half drew near.

The Kickers attack was stifled in the 42nd minute when a streaking William and Eagles forward Amaury Nunes challenged to control a long ball on the right wing. Forty yards out, William brought Herrera down and was shown a straight red card for denying the potential breakaway as the last defender.

One man up, Charlotte was increasing the pressure on Richmond's defense in the second half. The first dangerous opportunity came in the 62nd minute, when second half substitute Ben Page received the ball with his back to goal inside the box. With a quick turn he was able to separate himself from the defender, but his shot to the near post from six yards out was pushed wide by Ronnie Pascale.

In the 72nd minute, midfielder Jorge Herrera received the ball on the right side of the box. After taking another touch towards the touchline, his low shot across the goalmouth failed to find a recipient and the ball went wide of the far post.

Richmond's best chance of the second half came in the 77th minute, when midfielder Ross MacKenzie sent in a corner, finding Delicâte in the air but his header was cleared off the line by defender Ben Johnson.

In the final minutes of the game, Charlotte was able to create a couple of dangerous opportunities. First, in the 86th minute, Charlotte intercepted the ball in midfield and played the ball to a wide open Dustin Swinehart, but his rocket from the top of the box deflected wide.

Three minutes later, Swinehart attempted to cut the deficit again. A long ball over the defense left him 1 on 1 with Pascale, but his attempted chip from 12 yards out missed the target.

In overtime, Diego Martins was able to fire a shot from the top of the box, but Pascale came up big again, punching the ball over the crossbar to secure the shutout for his team.

The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium next Saturday, July 11th and ladies are invited to attend an exclusive, Girls Night Out party starting at 5:30p.m. Before the Kickers pro soccer game versus the Bermuda Hogges, browse demos and samplings from local boutiques, salons, wine tastings and restaurants inside the Kickers private hospitality tent. Light food and drinks will be provided by Qdoba Mexican Grill and all ladies in attendance will be eligible for drawings, prizes and giveaways. Admission is $15 for ladies ages 21 and up and just $10 for all ages. Tickets are on sale now via RichmondKickers.com or by calling 804-644-5425 x 304. Men are not excluded.

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