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USL1 Richmond Kickers

Kickers Earn Second Straight Clean Sheet against North Carolina FC

May 22, 2021 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald
Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald
(Richmond Kickers)

RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Kickers (2-2-1) closed out the night with a scoreless draw at City Stadium against North Carolina FC (0-2-1). Akira Fitzgerald and the defense earned their second-straight clean sheet and their third of the season.

The Kickers were denied an early opening goal in the eighth minute after a strike by Matt Bolduc fizzed into the side goal post and rolled out. Approximately 24 minutes into the match, Nil Vinyals made an impressive tackle in the center of the pitch, passed it off to Matt Bolduc, who switched the ball to the left side for Jonathan Bolanos, who fired off a shot but was also denied by the woodwork.

Possibly the clearest cut opportunity of the first half came from a precision-placed through ball by Matt Bolduc over the top of the North Carolina center halves which landed at the feet of Jonathan Bolanos. The forward fired a shot past NCFC keeper, Jake McGuire, but the shot went just wide off the post and the halftime score remained 0-0.

After a scoreless first half, the Kickers sought the go-ahead opportunity and took another eight shots at the goal. With the entrance of Oalex Anderson at the 66th minute on the left wing, he provided a surge of pacey play that opened up several opportunities to convert a goal.

Around the 66th minute, Nil Vinyals standing over a direct free kick, sent the ball into the box for Oalex to finish with a header, but the NCFC keeper was there to deflect it away from the net. Nonetheless, the defensive line and keeper were solid in the back and Akira Fitzgerald had a spectacular outing with four saves and helped add to another Richmond clean sheet for the season.

The Kickers return to action on Saturday, May 29 when they travel to Chattanooga to take on the Red Wolves. Kickoff for that match is set for 7:00 p.m.

BOX SCORE

Team First Half Second Half Final

Richmond 0 0 0

North Carolina 0 0 0

LINEUPS

Richmond: Akira Fitzgerald, Juan Pablo Monticelli, Ivan Magalhães, Jalen Crisler, Esteban Calvo, Zaca Moran, Victor Falck, Nil Vinyals (81' Hernan Gonzalez), Jonathan Bolanos (63' - Oalex Anderson), Emiliano Terzaghi, Matt Bolduc.

Unused Substitutes: Luke Pavone, Chris Cole, Stanley Alves, Cameron Vickers, Austin Aviza.

North Carolina: Jake McGuire, Nelson Martinez (86' - Britton Fisher), Nelson Blanco Flores, Malick Mbaye, Max Flick, Luis Arriaga, Jay Tee Kamara, Selmir Miscic, Pecka (75' - Joshua Coan), Peter Pearson, Thorn Simpson (81' - Yekeson Subah).

Unused Substitutes: Damian Las, Robert Frame, Collin McCamy, Caden Tolentino.

STATISTICS

Team Shots Saves Fouls Corners

Richmond 16 4 12 5

North Carolina 11 2 12 7

SCORING SUMMARY

None

CAUTIONS SUMMARY

Min Team Player

45' NC Thorn Simpson

65' NC Nelson Blanco Flores

80' RIC Esteban Calvo

90+2' NC Jay Tee Kamara

90+3' NC Josh Coan

EJECTIONS SUMMARY

None

MATCH INFORMATION

Referee: John Matto

Assistant Referees: Jeffrey Skinker, Andrew Charron

Fourth Official: Nickrod Fateh

Attendance: 2,377

Weather: Sunny, 88 F

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics




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Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald
Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald
   

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