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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Host Harrisburg Saturday

June 5, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Thursday, June 5, 2014) - The Richmond Kickers (6-1-5, 23 points) return to City Stadium this Saturday, June 7 to host the Harrisburg City Islanders (2-5-2, 8 points) and Ronnie Pascale Night. Together with HCA Virginia, the Kickers are pleased to celebrate the career of one of Richmond's all-time greatest players with a special halftime presentation. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and the first 500 fans through the gate will receive a limited-edition Pascale #22 replica jersey t-shirt. Avoid lines at the gate and order tickets in advance at RichmondKickers.com to guarantee a Pascale #22 replica t-shirt.

The Richmond Kickers continue regular season action Saturday after coming away with a 2-0-1 record over a grueling three-games-in-four days stretch last week. The Kickers face Harrisburg for the second time in as many weeks, closing out last week's road trip with a dramatic 3-2 victory on City Island. After conceding an early lead, Harrisburg leveled the score at 2-2 courtesy of a late Richmond own goal; however, the defensive error was avenged in the final minute of stoppage time when Luke Vercollone's pass found Kyle Porter on the left edge of the box, who did the rest, firing a shot across frame into the far corner.

Meanwhile, Harrisburg, who are 1-3-1 in their last five matches, battled the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to a 1-1 draw on the road 24 hours later, rallying from a first half deficit when Jimmy McLaughlin buried an 85th minute equalizer.

The all-time series record between the two clubs moved to 13-3-7 in favor of the Kickers following last Saturday's game. This week's match will mark the second game in a three game series, with the City Islanders returning to Richmond on July 26.

Players to Watch

Kickers: On loan from the club's official MLS affiliate, D.C. United, goalkeeper Joe Willis (#31) has continued his good form by recording his fourth shutout of the season last Friday against Rochester. Willis is second in the league in shutouts, posting a 0.777 GAA. Kickers all-time leading scorer, Matthew Delicate (#7), scored his sixth goal of the season against Harrisburg last Saturday. Delicate has combined with midfielder George Davis IV to form one of the deadliest scoring combinations in the league. Veteran midfielder Luke Vercollone (#4) notched a stoppage time game-winning assist in the last meeting between the two teams. Splitting time between the defense and the midfield, the 2013 Supporter's Choice MVP has amassed over 13,000 minutes in a Kickers uniform.

Islanders: Forward Clesio Bauque (#10) recently signed with Harrisburg from Portuguese Premier League side S.L. Benfica. Making an immediate impact for the City Islanders with a pair of goals in the 5-3 win over Dayton last month, the 19-year old has earned nine caps with the Mozambique National Team. On loan from the Philadelphia Union, midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin (#18) notched his first assist on the season last Saturday against the Kickers, adding a game-tying goal in Pittsburgh one day later. The former Colgate Raider and graduate of the Philadelphia Union Youth Program is the club's second ever-homegrown player. Defender Richie Marquez (#2) anchors the Harrisburg defense as the only field player to play every minute of every game this year. Joining the City Islanders on loan from their official MLS affiliate, Philadelphia Union, he was an NSCAA All-American at the University of Redlands.

Must See Games at City Stadium

The Richmond Kickers kick off a three-game Must See Games Series beginning with a U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round match-up against Major League Soccer's New England Revolution on Wednesday, June 18. Later, the Kickers return to City Stadium to host the Mexican Olympic Team on Tuesday, July 1 before rounding out the summer exhibition schedule with an historic international friendly against Crystal Palace from the world famous Barclay's Premier League on Monday, July 28. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

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