USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers fall to Harrisburg

Published on June 6, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


HARRISBURG, PA - The Richmond Kickers dropped a devastating 4-1 road loss to the defending USL-2 Champions Harrisburg City Islanders tonight. Despite controlling the run of play early in the match, the Kickers went into the break down 2-0. Harrisburg added two more on the other side of the half, with Richmond newcomer Ian Bennett netting the Kickers' lone goal on the last shot of the night. The Kickers last suffered a loss by a three goal margin on July 1, 2006 in Wilmington. They last allowed four goals in a loss on August 23, 2002 against the Charlotte Eagles.

The Kickers looked strong to start the match, attempting several dangerous chances to open the match. Three minutes in, Richmond forward David Bulow challenged Harrisburg goalkeeper Danny Cepero 1v1 in the box but misfired wide, inches from the target. Not long after, forward Freddie Smith had consecutive shots in the 7th and 8th minutes, driving past Cepero but his chances were both stifled by defenders positioned on the goal line, each cleared at the last second. The 15th minute looked promising for Richmond when a corner was deflected to Luke Vercollone, 15 yards out, on the right side of the box. His shot headed to the far post and a defender headed it directly to the crossbar but the rebound fell the wrong way.

Despite the early offensive threat, it was the City Islanders who first put a point on the board when a defensive breakdown gave way to an Almir Barbosa tally in the 16th minute. Within two minutes, Harrisburg doubled the score on a Brian Ombiji strike when a cross to the near post rattled the woodwork, allowing Ombiji to finish from six yards.

Harrisburg registered two more after the second-half restart when Mo Oduor added a one-time volley, connecting with Steve Fisher in the 69th minute with Yu Hoshide rounding out the score seven minutes later. Hoshide converted a tough-angled shot to the far post after the Kickers defense failed to clear a cross, leaving goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale little time to react.

Richmond narrowly avoided the shutout, when midfielder Ian Bennett found the target in the final minute of regulation. A low cross from defender Adam Chavez slipped through the box to the left side, finding an unmarked Bennett 10 yards out. Cepero got a touch on the ball but could not redirect the strike.

The Kickers return home to open the 2008 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, June 10th, slated to face the PDL side Fredericksburg Gunners at 8:00 pm at Sports Backers Stadium. Richmond returns to regular season action the following weekend, hosting the Bermuda Hogges on Saturday, June 14th at 7:00 pm at the University of Richmond Stadium. Visit RichmondKickers.com for all ticket information.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 6, 2008


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