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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Embark On Two-Game Road Trip

July 30, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers set off on a back-to-back road trip this weekend, first taking on the Charlotte Eagles at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2 before traveling to the Charleston Battery on Saturday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m. The matches will be broadcast live from Queens Sports Complex and Blackbaud Stadium, respectively, on USLnation.com.

The Kickers carry a 23-game unbeaten streak to Charlotte Friday night, having most recently battled the expansion franchise VSI Tampa Bay FC to a scoreless draw last weekend in their first home game in over a month. Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra posted six saves for his league-high eighth shutout to extend the club's lead at the top of the USL PRO standings with a 12-0-9 record and 45 points.

Meanwhile, Charlotte caps off a five-game home stand after going 1-1-3 in their last four matches, most recently suffering their worst loss of the season with a 4-0 defeat to the Phoenix FC Wolves. The Eagles are currently holding fifth place in the standings with an 8-3-10 record and 34 points.

With an extensive rivalry spanning two decades, dating back to the clubs' inception in 1993, the Kickers hold an all-time series record of 21-11-10 over the Eagles. The two clubs last met in early May at City Stadium when the Kickers rallied for a thrilling 3-3 draw against the Eagles. The home side claimed an early advantage courtesy of goals by Brian Ownby and Stanley Nyazamba, only to concede a pair of tallies as Drew Yates and Stefan Smith leveled the score in the second half. Eagles forward Shaun Francis broke the deadlock in the 90th minute, leaving Kickers defender Conor Shanosky to bury the equalizer with seconds remaining in stoppage time to salvage a point.

Following Friday's match-up, the Kickers will close out the two-game series with the defending USL PRO Champions Charleston Battery 24 hours later. Saturday's game marks the 48th meeting between the two clubs over the last 21 years, with the series narrowly tipped in the Kickers favor at 22-21-4 following their 4-1 win over the Battery in April. Zimbabwean International Joseph Ngwenya opened scoring and forward Casey Townsend registered a pair of goals for the Kickers while Battery defender John Wilson's tally prevented the shutout.

Most recently, the Battery blanked the Los Angeles Blues as Nicki Paterson, Dane Kelly and Haviel Cordoves each scored to move Charleston into fourth place in the standings with a record of 10-5-6 and 36 points.

Rivals since 1993, Richmond and Charleston, alongside fellow USL PRO side Charlotte Eagles are the longest, continuously operating professional soccer clubs in the country. The Kickers first-ever league match against the Battery was on May 1, 1993 at Stoney Field in downtown Charleston. The Battery claimed the 2-1 victory behind goals from Mario Lone and Nigel James, with current head coach Leigh Cowlishaw notching the lone goal for the Kickers.

The Kickers return to City Stadium on Saturday, April 10 to host the Dayton Dutch Lions and FAMILY FEST, presented by Chick-Fil-A. Admission is just $10 for the whole family before 6:00 p.m. with a one-of-a-kind fun zone, featuring a 40-foot slip ‘n slide, inflatable games, food and beverage trucks and live music starting when the gates open at 4:00 p.m. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

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