Sports stats

USL-1 Richmond Kickers

Kickers fall to Syracuse in final minutes

August 18, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


Richmond, VA– The Richmond Kickers (15-8-3, 48 points) were defeated, 2-1 by the Syracuse Salty Dogs (14-7-5, 47 points) in the Kickers final regular season home game, unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities to clinch a playoff berth. A scoreless first half led to a Syracuse own goal in the 74th minute, which held the Salty Dogs until the 88th minute when Lars Lyssand equalized the score. In the final seconds of stoppage time, Syracuse forward Mauro Carabajal was able to find the back of the net, avoiding overtime and increasing the Salty Dogs' undefeated streak to 12 straight games.

On a damp field from earlier afternoon thunderstorms, the scoreless first half began with several close calls on both sides of the field. In the 11th minute, Syracuse forward Machel Millwood blasted a dangerous header from 15 yards out, striking the crossbar. The Kickers retaliated in the 12th minute when forward McColm Cephas found himself in scoring position twice. His first shot was deflected by a defender and then cleared from the goal line. Cephas recovered the ball within the 15 yard line and sent an intense header just over the crossbar. The Kickers again were in scoring position when midfielder Clyde Simms took a high shot towards the upper left corner of the goal, going just over. Later in the half, Cephas connected on a cross from Simms, taking a shot but aiming directly to goalkeeper Byron Foss who was able to seize the ball for the save.

Both teams were determined in the second half, each with numerous scoring attempts. Early in the half, Richmond forward Kevin Jeffrey directed a header on goal but a valiant save was made as a Syracuse defender cleared the ball off the line. Then, in the 60th minute, Syracuse midfielder Rene Rivas took a shot on goal, which rebounded immediately to forward Anthony Maher. In scoring position, Maher sailed a dangerous shot just over the crossbar. The Kickers struck back in the 61st minute when Simms took a short but swift shot on goal, forcing Foss to make a heroic, leaping save. The game remained scoreless until the 74th minute when a shot by Simms caused Foss to come out of the box, resulting in a scuffle of Syracuse defenders, scrambling to clear the ball. In the confusion, the ball was bumped into the goal by Salty Dogs defender Lars Lyssand for an own goal. It looked as though the Kickers would take a 2-0 lead in the 83rd minute when Cephas and Jeffrey beat Syracuse defenders, leaving Cephas alone for one on one action with Foss. Cephas shot onto an open goal but sent the ball just wide for a goal kick. Richmond witnessed their 1-0 lead begin to disintegrate 14 minutes later when Lyssand found the back of the net for the second time tonight, this time on the opposite end of the field. Simms was able to clear a dangerous Syracuse corner kick but the rebounding ball found Lyssand whose shot dipped into the goal, equalizing the score and avenging his earlier own goal. Three minutes of stoppage time was enough for Syracuse, as a cross by Attila Vendegh found a streaking Mauro Carabajal in front of the goal. Avoiding overtime, Carabajal tallied the game-winner with a quick shot just over Pascale's hands in the final seconds of regulation.

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics



USL First Division Stories from August 18, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Richmond Kickers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central