USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Host Fourth Annual Family Fest Saturday

Published on August 3, 2011 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


Richmond, VA - (Wednesday, August 3, 2011) - The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium this Saturday, August 6th to host the fourth annual FAMILY FEST, presented by Union First Market Bank, and the Dayton Dutch Lions in their regular season home finale. The festival begins at 4:00 p.m. with games, inflatables, music and delicious food and the pro game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. The first 1,000 fans through the gate receive a special gift from Union First Market Bank and admission is just $10 for the whole family before 6:00 p.m.

The Richmond Kickers face the expansion USL PRO franchise, Dayton, for the fourth and final time during the 2011 regular season. The two clubs met twice previously during regular season action and once during the U.S. Open Cup tournament, with the Kickers sweeping the series 3-0-0.

Most recently, the Kickers hosted Dayton on July 4th, coming away with a 3-1 victory over the holiday weekend. Conceding a first half penalty kick, the Kickers recovered from the early shortfall when midfielder Ryan Heins notched the equalizer before the break. Kickers midfielder David Bulow gave the home side the lead when he converted a second half penalty before Edson Elcock sealed the victory in the 74th minute.

Three weeks prior, a 4-1 win over the Dutch Lions in the U.S. Open Cup First Round gave way to the Kickers most successful tournament run since 1995. Bulow recorded his second career hat trick to propel the Kickers to victory with midfielder Shaka Bangura contributing a couple of assists before adding a tally of his own in the 89th minute.

Earlier in the season, the pair met in Dayton on April 30 when the Kickers posted a 6-0 victory over the Dutch Lions. Scoring early and often, the Kickers left their mark at Miami Valley South Stadium when forward Matthew Delicâte registered in the 5th minute. The Kickers leading scorer added two assists on the night, with Bulow notching a pair of goals in the second half. Elcock and Heins each contributed their first goals of the season and Bangura rounded out the scoreline.

Fresh off their second win of the season, the Dutch Lions will look to carry the positive momentum into this Saturday's re-match at City Stadium. Earning USL PRO Team of the Week honors, midfielder George Davis IV gave his side a 3rd minute lead over FC New York, which they held until Lucien Seymour's insurance goal in the 71st minute. Goalkeeper Jesper Leerdam posted 10 saves to preserve his second shutout in the season. The Dutch Lions reside in sixth place in the National Division standings with a 2-13-6 record and 12 points.

Meanwhile, the Kickers are in search of a crucial three points this weekend to bolster their position in the American Division table. Winless in their last two outings, the Kickers return to City Stadium after a biting 2-0 loss in Pittsburgh last weekend. With a record of 10-7-3 and 33 points, the Kickers are precariously placed third in the standings, just one point ahead of fourth place Charleston (9-7-5, 32 points) and six points behind second place Wilmington (12-6-3, 39 points).

Players to Watch

Kickers: Midfielder David Bulow (#10) has registered six goals against the Dutch Lions over their last three outings, recording his second career hat trick during the U.S. Open Cup. The fan favorite is tied for first on the team in scoring with 10 goals and three assists for 23 points overall this season. Defender Sascha Görres (#23) posted his first goal of the season when he converted a penalty kick against the Los Angeles Blues last month. The Kickers seven-year veteran has started all 24 games played during the regular season and U.S. Open Cup and anchors the Kickers defensive that has posted seven shutouts. Midfielder Mike Callahan (#21) returns to the lineup after being sidelined through injury early this season. The UNC-Chapel Hill graduate garnered USL PRO Player of the Week honors after his first appearance with the club on April 2, joining the roster just days before the Kickers home opener.

Dutch Lions: Bahamian defender, Happy Hall (#5), played for the Richmond Kickers U15 Boys team, under pro assistant coach, Jesse Myers. Hall has made 17 appearances with the Dutch Lions in 2011 and posted his first goal with a late equalizer against Charleston last month. Midfielder George Davis IV (#22) leads the Dutch Lions in scoring with seven goals and two assists for 16 points. Notching a pair of tallies within five minutes, he lifted Dayton to their first professional win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on June 4. Defender Joe Tait (#4) prevented the shutout for his side during the Dutch Lions last venture to Richmond when he converted a 13th minute penalty kick against the Kickers.

USL PRO Playoffs

The 2011 USL PRO playoffs will see eight teams advance following the conclusion of the regular season. The top four teams each from the American Division and National Division will advance to four single-game Division Semifinals taking place Friday-Sunday, August 19-21. The single-game Division Finals will be played a week later, with the 2011 USL PRO Championship, hosted by the highest remaining seed, to be played Saturday, September 3. One Division Semifinal, a Division Final and the USL PRO championship game will be televised nationally on FOX Soccer.

Play for Hope

The Richmond Kickers are pleased to team up with Play for Hope, a 501(c)3 organization, which operates sports programs for the boys and girls of Rwanda, many of them street kids. The Kickers will host a uniform and equipment drive at the last regular season home game this Saturday, August 6th for gently used jerseys, shorts, socks, cleats, soccer balls, pinnies, cones, bags, and coaching gear and equipment to Richmond City Stadium, 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Uniform and equipment donations will give hope through sports to children affected by genocide and AIDS and will help Play For Hope fulfill their mission of creating long-term, sustainable sports growth that brings holistic ministry to the youth of impoverished areas.

Additional uniform and equipment drives will be held during the Kickers rec and travel seasons this fall. Gently used uniforms and equipment can also be dropped off at the Kickers office, located at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 203, Richmond before September 30, 2011. For more information about Play for Hope, visit playforhope.org.

FAMILY FEST

The Richmond Kickers FAMILY FEST will feature music by local musicians, delicious food, arts and crafts, moonbounces and inflatable games presented by Bounce 2 the Moon, face painting, a petting zoo, and more. Plus, delicious and affordable concessions will be available throughout the day, courtesy of Papa John's.

In addition, Cobb Technologies, the leading document imaging solutions dealers in Virginia, is sponsoring a blood drive with Virginia Blood Services at the Richmond Kickers FAMILY FEST. Summer is truly the toughest time of year for the blood banking industry, with one in seven people entering the hospital this summer needing blood. All donors will receive a T-shirt and will be entered into a weekly drawing to win prizes. Walk-ins will be welcome on the day of the drive or visit www.vadonor.com and use sponsor code "Kickers" to schedule an appointment online.

A full-service soccer club with over 8,000 players competing in youth, adult, amateur and professional programs, the Richmond Kickers pyramid structure serves as a model to soccer clubs across the country. For more information, visit RichmondKIckers.com.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 3, 2011


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