Kickers Conclude Regular Season Saturday
Published on August 16, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, VA - Three days after claiming the 2013 USL PRO Regular Season Championship, the Richmond Kickers will travel to take on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the regular season finale this Saturday, August 17. The match will be broadcast on USLnation.com, live from Highmark Stadium at 7:00 p.m.
The Kickers (15-1-9, 54 points) concluded their regular season home schedule with a mid-week title race against Orlando City, collecting their sixth Regular Season crown with a thrilling 2-0 win against the two-time defending champions. A first half Matthew Delicâte double gave the home side an early advantage as goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra backstopped a stalwart defense with five saves to preserve his league-leading 10th shutout.
Meanwhile, the Riverhounds punched their ticket to the postseason with a pair of impressive back-to-back victories over VSI Tampa Bay and Orlando City earlier this month. Currently residing in seventh place in an eight-team playoff field, the Riverhounds (10-8-7, 37 points) most recently dropped a 4-1 loss to the Wilmington Hammerheads. Forward Jose Angulo notched his 14th goal of the season to give the Riverhounds a 13th minute lead before the Hammerheads compiled four unanswered goals to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Overall, the Kickers hold a 14-8-6 record over the Riverhounds, with a rivalry dating back to 1999 when the two franchises competed in the USL First Division. The Kickers opened, and will close, the 2013 regular season against the Riverhounds, having hosted them in their season opener on April 7 when the two clubs battled to a scoreless draw. This weekend marks the first time that the Kickers will travel to the brand new, soccer specific Highmark Stadium during the state-of-the-art facility's inaugural season.
USL PRO Playoff Structure
The Richmond Kickers begin postseason play when they return to City Stadium next Saturday, August 24 to host the USL PRO Quarterfinals. The 2013 USL PRO Playoffs will include the top eight finishers in the table (No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, etc.), with the Kickers first-round opponent to be determined this weekend. The Semifinals featuring the four remaining teams will be played the following weekend, with the 2013 USL PRO Championship set for the weekend of September 6-8. All playoff rounds feature a single-game knockout format and teams will not be re-seeded following each round.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 16, 2013
- Riverhounds End Regular Season at Highmark Stadium - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Lions Square Off Against Charlotte Eagles in Regular Season Closer - Orlando City SC
- Hammerheads Host Antigua for Final Matchup - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Dutch Lions set to host City Islanders in Season Finale - Dayton Dutch Lions
- Kickers Conclude Regular Season Saturday - Richmond Kickers
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