Kickers Host 2003 A-League Champion Charleston in Season Opener
Published on April 13, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, VA â (Tuesday, April 13, 2004) â The Richmond Kickers will open the 2004 A-League season this Saturday, April 17th as they take on the 2003 A-League Champion Charleston Battery at the University of Richmond Stadium at 7:00pm. The first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive a schedule magnet courtesy of Arby's.
The Kickers will compete in 28 regular season games (14 home, 14 away) beginning this Saturday and extending through the end of August. This year the A-League is divided into two conferences (East and West). The Kickers will compete in the Eastern Conference, which is comprised of nine teams: Atlanta Silverbacks, Charleston Battery, Montreal Impact, Puerto Rico Islanders, Rochester Raging Rhinos, Syracuse Salty Dogs, Toronto Lynx and Virginia Beach Mariners. Come September, the top four teams in each conference will advance to the playoffs to compete for the Championship.
Richmond vs. Charleston
Charleston finished the 2003 season with a 15-6-7 record and ultimately claimed the A-League Championship title. In that year, Richmond finished with a 1-2-1 record against Charleston; however, overall, the Kickers hold an all-time series record of 14-13-2 versus the Battery. The last home win for the Kickers over the Battery was on September 15, 2002 in the A-League playoffs, in a game that enabled the Kickers to advance while eliminating the Battery.
"I can't think of a better way to open the 2004 season than playing against the defending A-League champions and long-time rival on our home soil," comments General Manager Paul Sterbenz. "We have worked diligently in the off-season to put together what we feel is a very competitive team and hopefully this group will bring much excitement and entertainment to our loyal supporters as well as the community of Richmond."
Players to Watch
Kickers: 2003 Richmond Kickers leading scorer and All A-League Second Team Player forward Kevin Jeffrey returns for his fourth season with the Kickers. Jeffrey tied for fifth in the A-League scoring race last season. Goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale will protect the nets again this year after finishing 2003 with a 1.11 GAA, good for seventh in the league. Over the past two years as starting goalkeeper, Pascale has finished in the top 10 in goalkeeping league leaders (sixth in 2002). Off-season acquisitions to watch: Former D.C. United player and MLS star midfielder Richie Williams returns to Richmond this year after a nine-year hiatus from the Kickers. Williams will lead a talented midfield, which will include winger David Hayes who returns after spending his 2003 season with the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Former Pittsburgh Riverhound Joey Worthen, a versatile workhorse, will look to add strength to the left side of the lineup and rookie forward Matthew Delicâte makes his professional debut after an impressive college career with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Richmond Kickers Future.
Battery: 2002 A-League Goalkeeper of the Year, Dusty Hudock returns to the Battery after posting a 0.86 GAA in 2003, placing him fourth in the league. Midfielder Ted Chronopoulos will suit up for the Battery again this season after being selected to the 2003 All A-League Second Team. Mark Watson (2002 A-League Defender of the Year) is returning to the Charleston defense for the 2004 season. Former MLS player Ivan McKinley joins the Battery after taking the 2003 season off due to injury and playing with D.C. United in 2002. Former Pittsburgh Riverhound forward Aleskey Korol looks to add scoring power for the Battery. He also has MLS experience prior to the Riverhounds after suiting for the Dallas Burn and the Chicago Fire.
Other News
In an off-season acquisition for Charleston, Greg Simmonds will join the Battery on the field after spending his 2003 season in Richmond and acquiring four goals and three assists for 11 points for the Kickers. Ex-Kickers forward and 2003 A-League Leading Scorer, Josh Henderson, who helped Richmond to the Championship game in 2002 and helped Charleston capture the title in 2003, is no longer with Charleston and is believed to be retired from the game.
USL First Division Stories from April 13, 2004
- Kickers Host 2003 A-League Champion Charleston in Season Opener - Richmond Kickers
- Mariners add new assistant coach - Virginia Beach Mariners
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