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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Host Orlando Saturday

August 22, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Friday, August 22, 2014) - The Richmond Kickers (13-1-10, 49 points) return to City Stadium for the regular season home finale this Saturday, August 23 when they host a top of the table battle against the defending USL PRO Champions Orlando City (16-3-4, 52 points). The high stakes match that could determine the eventual 2014 Regular Season Champions kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and the gates open at 5:30 p.m. with live music from Common Wealth and craft beer specials including two tickets and two beers for $20. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

Mid-week USL PRO results clinched a first round playoff game at City Stadium and put the Kickers within three points of league-leading Orlando as the defending Champions dropped points in a 2-0 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday. Previously, the USL PRO powerhouse swapped home and home victories with Harrisburg after conceding a 1-0 loss in Rochester last month that snapped an 18-game unbeaten streak.

Meanwhile, the Kickers enter Saturday's match following a tough 1-1 draw against Dayton last week. A pair of free kicks on either side of the field saw the Kickers take the lead when George Davis IV converted his 10th goal of the season just before Dayton defender Shintaro Harada leveled the score in identical fashion to steal a point.

The Kickers face Orlando for the first time this season after sweeping the two game series en route to the 2013 Regular Season Championship. Previously, after handing the USL PRO powerhouse their first-ever loss in the 2011 season opener, the Kickers suffered three consecutive defeats to the Lions before stealing a point from the Citrus Bowl with a scoreless draw to close out the 2012 season. Then, blanking the Lions twice in as many games last season, with a combined four goals to none, the Kickers claimed the regular season title over the defending champions to bring the all-time series record level at 3-3-1.

The two clubs swap home field advantage to conclude the 2014 Regular Season in Orlando on Saturday, September 6 before kicking off postseason play one week later.

Players to Watch

Kickers: Defender Stephen Basso (#36) signed with the Kickers hours before the Roster Freeze deadline and comes to Richmond following an extensive professional career. The Columbia, Maryland native anchored the defensive unit that backstopped the club to the 2011 USL PRO Finals, drawing Orlando City through regulation and overtime before narrowly conceding the title on penalties. Midfielder George Davis IV (#11) ranks sixth the USL PRO scoring charts, adding his 10th goal of the season in the Kickers 1-1 draw against Dayton last week. The Lima, OH native signed with the Kickers after spending two seasons with the Orange County Blues and is the team's second leading scorer, adding four assists for a total of 24 points. Veteran midfielder Luke Vercollone (#4) returns to action this Saturday following a one game suspension due to caution accumulation after leading the Kickers to a 2-1 win over Charlotte one week prior. Splitting time between the defense and the midfield, the 2013 Supporter's Choice MVP has amassed over 13,000 minutes in a Kickers uniform.

Lions: Prolific goal scorer Kevin Molino (#18) equaled the USL PRO single-season scoring record when he notched his 15th goal of the season to lead Orlando to a 3-1 win over Harrisburg last weekend. The Trinidad & Tobago International signed with Orlando in 2011, claiming the USL PRO MVP award in 2012 and has since become the first signee for the Major League Soccer side in 2015. Doubling as an offensive threat and a defensive force, Adama Mbengue (#8) has contributed to eight shutouts on the season while racking up three goals and four assists in 2014. In his third season in Orlando, the Senegalese midfielder began the 2012 season with the club's U23s before being called up to the first team. A mainstay between the nets, goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo (#1) has never had a goals against average higher than 1.000 over four seasons in Orlando. The 2011 Goalkeeper of the Year boasts eight shutouts this season and currently ranks third in the league with allowing just 18 goals in 1980 minutes played.

Playoffs

The 2014 USL PRO Playoffs will include the top eight finishers in the table, with the quarterfinals (No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, etc.) set for the weekend of September 12-14. The semifinals featuring the four remaining teams will be played the following weekend, with the 2014 USL PRO Championship set for the weekend of September 26-28. All playoff rounds feature a single-game knockout format and teams will not be re-seeded following each round.

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