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Richmond Kickers

Kickers Close out Season at Atlanta Saturday

October 12, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Kickers (6-23-4) will finish off the 2018 USL regular season Saturday night on the road against Atlanta United 2 (6-17-9) at Coolray Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. This match will be available on WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466) and streaming online on ESPN+.

Saturday night's match will be just the second meeting between the two clubs. Atlanta made the trip up to City Stadium back on July 21, where the teams battled to a 1-1 draw. Brian Shriver put the Kickers ahead in the 38th minute, curling in a free kick from just outside the Atlanta box. The visitors leveled the score from a solo effort by Jon Gallagher in the 67th minute.

Richmond will be looking for just their second win on the road this season following a 0-3 home defeat to Nashville SC last Saturday night. Nashville got on the board after 20 minutes when Tucker Hume headed in a deflected save from Trevor Spangenberg. Michael Reed doubled the Nashville lead after Ropapa Mensah sent in a cross that Mekeil Williams looked to play away, but ended up hitting Reed and deflected into the goal. Matt LaGrassa picked up a loose ball and played it up for Alan Winn for the third goal of the night in the 56th minute.

Atlanta took a point Wednesday night at home against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC after a 1-1 draw. Pittsburgh went ahead in the 27th minute as Christiano François sent in a free kick that Thomas Vancaeyezeele headed into goal. Laurent Kissiedou scored his third goal of the season in the 52nd minute to salvage the home point for Atlanta. This draw extended Atlanta's unbeaten streak to three matches.

Keep up to date with the Kickers online at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Richmond: Forward Heviel Cordovés (#16) returns to action after a one-match red card suspension, co-leading the club in scoring with seven goals this season. The Havana, Cuba native has made 23 appearances, including 15 starts since joining the Kickers in the off season from the Charleston Battery. Defender Austin Yearwood (#3) has been getting into the attack, notably setting up the first goal against North Carolina FC back on September 29, along with three assists this season. Yearwood was lead the team with seven crosses in their last outing against Nashville SC. Defender Mekeil Williams (#55) has been solid at the back for the Kickers this season. The Trinidad and Tobago international had eight clearances and three interceptions last Saturday against Nashville

Atlanta: Midfielder Laurent Kissiedou (#11) netted his third goal of the season Wednesday night against Pittsburgh. On loan with the Charleston Battery in 2017, Kissiedou made just one appearance, playing 10 minutes against the Kickers in a 1-3 loss. Defender A.J. Cochran (#3) leads Atlanta in clearances (137), blocks (33) and interceptions (58) this season with 29 appearances. Cochran signed with Atlanta after two seasons with Saint Louis FC, where he made 49 appearances and scored one goal. Forward Jon Gallagher (#26) leads the scoring for Atlanta with six goals in 29 games this season. Drafted by Atlanta United, the Dundalk, Ireland native made 84 appearances over four seasons at the University of Notre Dame and scored 39 goals.

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