USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Defeat OKC Energy FC 4-1

Published on May 16, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Richmond Kickers defeated Oklahoma City Energy FC 4-1 Friday night at Pribil Stadium. Early goals by Matthew Delicâte, William Yomby and Alex Lee gave the Kickers a comfortable first-half lead before Energy midfielder Kyle Greig pulled a goal back and Kickers forward Michael Seaton rounded out the scoreline late in the second half.

Jumping out to an early lead, the Kickers registered the first goal of the night immediately after kickoff when the ball was cleared back to midfield. Seaton seized control and played a leading pass to George Davis IV who carried it into the box and blasted a shot from the penalty area. Energy goalkeeper Jonathan Kempin's reaction save denied the point-blank attempt but could not stop the awaiting Delic�te who calmly tucked in the rebound with just 21 seconds elapsed.

Oklahoma City nearly equalized in the 28th minute when midfielder Kevin Ellis fed the ball through to Paul Wyatt at the top of the box, who laid it off to Adda Djeziri on the right side. Cutting around his defender, he lofted a cross to the back post and connected with a heavily marked Philip Lund but the resulting header glanced just wide of the far post.

Two minutes later, Kickers midfielder Michael Callahan lined up a corner kick and delivered an outswinger into the mix. Kempin got a hand on Conor Shanosky's shot from the right post but Yomby was stationed at the penalty spot to nod the rebound over the fray and double the score at the half hour mark.

The Kickers increased their advantage during first half stoppage time when Davis received the ball deep on the left wing. The crafty midfielder dodged Ellis and served a cross into the box only to have Energy defender Gareth Evans clear the ball back out to him. This time, he danced along the endline, deftly keeping the ball in play, before slotting it back to Lee who finished from six yards out with a cool tap in.

Carrying a three-goal lead into the second half, the Kickers nearly added to the scoreline in the 53rd minute when Seaton latched onto a poor clearance and calmly trotted down the field. An Energy defender slid in for the tackle but the 18-year old forward regained his composure and struck from 10 yards, forcing Kempin to leap to his left to punch the ball from harm's way.

Oklahoma City responded on the counter attack and were awarded with a dangerously placed free kick, inches from the top of the box. Djeziri teed up the set piece and cleared the defensive wall, only to scrape the post as his shot hooked just wide.

The home side's offensive pressure paid off with 10 minutes remaining in regulation when Steven Perry drew a foul at the right touchline. Djeziri was once again called upon and floated a left-footed free kick across the teeming box, finding Greig whose header from eight yards prevented the shutout.

The celebration was short-lived; however, as the Kickers answered back with their fourth and final goal six minutes later. Goalkeeper Joe Willis punted a long ball to Juan Arbelaez who chested it down and laid it off to Luke Vercollone on the right wing. Energy defender Tarek Morad attempted to play a square ball to Kempin but did not quite meet his target as Seaton rushed onto the loose ball, rounded the fallen keeper and buried it into the far side netting.

The Richmond Kickers conclude the three-games-in-five-days road trip on Sunday, May 18 when they take on the Chicago Fire Reserves. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m., live from Toyota Park. The Kickers return to City Stadium on Saturday, May 24 to host the Charlotte Eagles at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 16, 2014


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