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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Host Charleston Saturday

July 16, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, July 16, 2014) - The Richmond Kickers (9-1-8, 35 points) return to City Stadium this Saturday, July 19 to host the Charleston Battery (4-7-5, 17 points) at 7:00 p.m. SUMMER FEST begins when the gates open at 5:30 p.m. with live music from The Centipedes, RVA food trucks, water slides and inflatable games for kids and frosty beverages in the stadium's outdoor bar for adults. Four tickets are available for $20 before 6:30 p.m.

The Kickers and the Battery meet for the second time this season after opening the 2014 campaign with a 2-2 draw at Blackbaud Stadium in March when end to end action saw Richmond midfielder George Davis IV score on either side of Jared van Schaik and Amadou Sanyang tallies. Because last month's game in Charleston was postponed due to persistent lightning, Saturday's match marks the 50th meeting between the two clubs over the past 22 years, with the series deadlocked at 22 wins, 22 losses and five draws.

Strengthening their hold on second place in the league standings, the Kickers edged USL newcomers Sacramento Republic FC 2-1 last week. Trailing their West Coast rivals with less than 30 minutes remaining in regulation, the Kickers rallied behind second half substitute Matthew Delicate who brought the home side level with his first touch. The USL PRO Player of the Week then gave Richmond victory with a well-timed near post run and finish that put home a low cross from George Davis IV for his 12th goal of the season.

Meanwhile, the Battery enter Saturday's match following a scoreless draw against the Charlotte Eagles last week. Avenging an earlier season loss to their longtime rivals, the Battery defense held the Eagles to just five shots to preserve their fourth shutout of the season.

The two clubs conclude the three-game regular season series with a rescheduled game in Charleston next Tuesday, July 22.

Players to Watch

Kickers: Cameroonian native William Yomby (#2) recently led the Kickers' defensive unit to their sixth shutout of the season, holding the Real Salt Lake Reserves scoreless earlier this month. The five-time USL PRO All-League First Team defender was a 2013 USL PRO Defender of the Year Finalist, leading the club to the USL PRO Regular Season Championship title last season. Midfielder Samuel Asante (#28) has contributed two assists this season, adding a goal during this year's U.S. Open Cup tournament. The native of Sunyani, Ghana spent the 2013 season with the Charlotte Eagles, making 21 appearances en route to the USL PRO championship match. Forward Matthew Delicate (#7) added his 11th and 12th goals of the season with a second half double against Sacramento last week, ranking first in the league and earning USL PRO Player of the Week honors. Notching 84 goals over eight seasons in Richmond, the club's all-time leading scorer surpassed the century mark in career goals with a tally over the New England Revolution in June.

Battery: The 2012 USL PRO Rookie of the Year, Jose Cuevas, re-signed with the Battery this week after leading the PDL side Fresno Fuego in assists with seven in 11 appearances this season. Despite an early season injury in 2013, Cuevas returned late in the summer and added four goals and three assists last year to help lift the Battery to the third seed in the USL PRO playoffs. Cuban goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper (#0) returned for his sophomore season with the Battery after defecting from the Cuban National Team before a World Cup Qualifier in 2012. Making 22 appearances in Charleston last season, he posted seven shutouts, adding five more clean sheets in 14 games to start the 2014 campaign. Leading the Battery to three of their four Championship titles, veteran defender John Wilson (#25) has anchored the Battery defense for more than a decade. Reversing a retirement decision prior to the 2011 season, Wilson resides in second place on the Battery's all-time career list with 246 appearances and over 21,000 minutes played.

Kickers Host English Premier League Side Crystal Palace July 28

The Richmond Kickers conclude this summer's Must See Games Series on Monday, July 28 when they host Crystal Palace of the world famous Barclay's Premier League at City Stadium, presented by Elephant Insurance. The historic match marks the first-time ever a team from England's top flight will appear in Virginia and a sell-out is expected. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics

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