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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Head to Charlotte Saturday

September 7, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Kickers (6-17-4) end their three-match road trip this Saturday night as they head south to take on the Charlotte Independence (8-11-8) at the Sportsplex at Matthews. This match will be available to stream live on ESPN+.

Saturday's match is the final of three meetings this season between the two clubs. The first meeting came back on May 26, as the Independence claimed all three points at City Stadium. Yann Ekra got the scoring started for the visitors in the 14th minute. Cordell Cato netted a brace in the second half to seal the victory. Brian Shriver was able to get one back for Richmond with ten minutes to go. In the second meeting at City Stadium, Raul Gonzalez set up Brian Shriver to put Richmond ahead after just six minutes. Charlotte was able to tie the match in the 20th minute from Cordell Cato, as both teams shared the points. The Kickers trail in the overall series with a record of 2-6-4 and are still winless in Charlotte with a record of 0-4-2.

Richmond is coming off a 1-1 draw at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Indy Eleven last Saturday night. Raul Gonzalez put the Kickers ahead just after five minutes. Austin Yearwood received the ball out wide on the left side from Oscar Umar. Yearwood played in a cross which looked intended for Luiz Fernando making a near post run, as the ball skipped past him to Gonzalez making a trailing run behind to put it into the back of the net. Dylan Mares leveled the score for Indy after his shot slipped under a diving Trevor Spangenberg.

The Independence will becoming into Saturday's match looking to build on a 1-0 victory over Nashville SC last Saturday night. Je-Vaughn Watson scored the lone goal of the match in the 25th minute from a cross by Samuel Vines.

The Kickers will return home to City Stadium next Saturday night to host Ottawa Fury FC, along with Oktoberfest presented by the Hof. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. with authentic German oompah music by The Sauerkrauts, seasonal craft beers on tap and an all-inclusive Oktoberfest package for just $22, including access to the VIP Hof Biergarten, German food from the Hof, two Oktoberfest craft beers and admission to the game. Then, the Kickers will take on Ottawa at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Richmond: Midfielder Raul Gonzalez (#27) netted his second goal of the season, to go along with his one assist. The University of Memphis product is in his second season in Richmond has four goals and two assists over 48 appearances. Defender Austin Yearwood (#3) picked up his third assist in 17 games this season. Yearwood joined the Kickers this season after a two-year stint at the Charlotte Independence. Midfielder Neil Hlavaty (#7) recorded four tackles as the Kickers took a point on the road at the Indy Eleven last Saturday night. Hlavaty came to the Kickers after a stint with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Charlotte: Veteran forward Jorge Herrera (#10) leads the Independence with ten goals over 24 appearances this season. Herrera has 81 appearances with Charlotte since the 2015 seasons. Goalkeeper Brandon Miller (#1) made two saves as the Independence picked up a shutout and a victory over Nashville last Saturday night. The 2015 USL Goalkeeper of the Year has played in five matches this season and recorded two clean sheets. Forward Cordell Cato (#17) has scored three goals against the Kickers over two games this season, and scored eight goals total this season over 20 games this season. Cato came to Charlotte after spending the last five seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes, scoring seven goals in 111 games.

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