Kickers Host Orlando City B Saturday
Published on August 25, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers (11-6-7) return to City Stadium this Saturday, August 27 to host Orlando City B (8-8-8) and Family Fest, presented by Union Bank & Trust and Bounce 2 The Moon. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. with live music by The Folly, a one-of-a-kind fun zone featuring human foosball and a 24-foot double drop slide, face painting, RVA food trucks and over a dozen craft beers on tap before the Kickers take on OCB at 7:00 p.m. Admission is only $20 for the whole family before 6:30 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.
The Kickers and OCB swap home field advantage this Saturday after battling to a 1-1 draw in Melbourne, FL last Sunday. Drawing a foul in the box minutes before the halftime break, OCB gained a first half lead when Michael Cox converted the penalty. The Kickers rallied for the equalizer early in the second half when Sunny Jane connected with Anthony Grant to extend the Kickers' unbeaten streak to eight games and claim sole possession of fourth place in the USL Eastern Conference standings.
After a devastating two-game road trip to New York and Charlotte that saw Orlando suffer two losses in six days, OCB rebounded at Titan Soccer Complex to earn a much-needed point against the Kickers. The USL newcomers maintain the eighth and final playoff spot, residing eight points behind the fourth-place Kickers.
Following Saturday's game, the Kickers return to City Stadium on Wednesday, August 31 to host the Charleston Battery after the originally scheduled match on August 17th was suspended in the 21st minute due to persistent lightning.
Players to Watch Kickers: Jamaican forward Anthony Grant (#9) notched his second professional goal against Orlando City B to salvage the point on the road last week. Breaking into the starting lineup in July, the 2015 PDL Most Valuable Player made history when he added a third goal in a Kickers uniform against Swansea City AFC last month to hand the Kickers their first-ever win against an English Premier League side. Returning on loan from the club's official MLS affiliate, D.C. United, goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra (#50) is slated to backstop the Kickers for the fourth time this season. On loan with the Kickers for the majority of the 2013 season, the MLS veteran earned 2013 USL Goalkeeper of the Year honors on route to the 2013 USL Regular Season Championship. Anchoring the midfield in 22 games this season, Fred Owusu Sekyere (#4) has amassed over 3,000 minutes over two seasons with the Kickers. A standout at Virginia Commonwealth University from 2006 to 2009, he made 28 appearances with the Charlotte Eagles before returning to Richmond in 2015.
OCB: Michael Cox (#51) leads OCB with 22 points this season, adding his 10th goal last Sunday in the 1-1 draw against the Kickers. One of the first signings for OCB's inaugural season, the Canadian forward's 10 goals currently ranks seventh in the USL. On loan from the club's official MLS affiliate, Orlando City, Richie Laryea (#6) has made 20 appearances with Orlando City B, amassing over 1,300 minutes and contributing a pair of assists. The Canadian midfielder was a regular starter at the University of Akron prior to being drafted by Orlando City in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Veteran midfielder Lewis Neal (#24) returned to the USL this season after an extensive career with Major League Soccer sides D.C. United and Orlando City SC. Making 20 appearances with OCB in 2016, the former English Premier League midfielder led Orlando to the USL PRO title in the club's inaugural USL season in 2011.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 25, 2016
- Roughnecks Travel to OKC Saturday - FC Tulsa
- Louisville City FC's Ranjitsingh Called up for World Cup - Louisville City FC
- Wilmington Continues to Fight for Playoffs - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Pa-Modou Kah Joins WFC2 as Player/Coach - Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
- Spanish Midfielder Jose Barril Helping City Islanders Compete Until Final Whistle - Penn FC
- Kickers Host Orlando City B Saturday - Richmond Kickers
- Wilmington Continues to Fight for a Playoff Spot - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- #PLAYOFFPUSH: City Islanders Prepare for Final Matches of the 2016 - Penn FC
- The Man, The Myth, The Legend - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
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