USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Host Pittsburgh Saturday

May 22, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Friday, May 22, 2015) - The Richmond Kickers return to regular season action this Saturday, May 23 when they host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 7:00 p.m. The pre-game party begins at 6:00 p.m. with live music from jive45, RVA food trucks including Stick's Kebob Shop and La Fe Latina, and craft beer on tap. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

The Kickers and the Riverhounds meet for the second time in as many weeks, having just battled to a 1-1 draw in Pittsburgh on May 16. The Kickers gained a first half advantage when Brian Ownby capitalized on a defensive mistake, but conceded the equalizer to Anthony Arena early in the second half to narrow Richmond's all-time series advantage to 17-7-9.

Earlier this week, the Kickers ousted Virginia Beach City FC from the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 Second Round victory at City Stadium to kick off a four-games-in-eight-days series. Goals at either end of the second half by Nate Shiffman and Jason Yeisley punctuated a match otherwise marred by missed chances as the Kickers outshot their NPSL opponent 15-3 to progress to the next round of the tournament.

The Riverhounds also advanced to the U.S. Open Cup Third Round following a decisive 3-0 win over PDL side West Virginia Chaos. Former Chaos player Rob Vincent initiated scoring with a strike for the Hounds after nine minutes. Lebo Moloto doubled the lead within 14 seconds of the restart when he seized upon a poor defensive clearance to score his first goal for the club and Kevin Kerr wrapped up the contest late in the second half.

Saturday marks the 33rd match-up between Richmond and Pittsburgh, whose rivalry dates back to 1999 when the two franchises competed in the then-USL First Division, and concludes the 2015 two-game regular season series.

Players to Watch

Kickers: Forward Jason Yeisley (#17) returned to scoring ways this week, burying a diving header against Virginia Beach City FC on Wednesday. Earlier this season, he notched a pair of goals against Wilmington, earning USL Player of the Week honors, before injury forced him to the sideline. Midfielder Nate Shiffman (#21) earned his first start and his first goal for his hometown team during Wednesday's Open Cup victory. The native of Midlothian, VA and former James River High School standout signed with the Kickers prior to the 2015 campaign, following his rookie season with OKC Energy. Yudai Imura (#14) returned to the starting lineup this week after being sidelined through injury last month. Discovered at the Kickers 2015 Pro Tryouts, the Japanese midfielder earned his first professional contract after the three-day event and has since made four appearances in a Kickers uniform.

Riverhounds: Anchoring the Riverhounds back line in all seven matches to start the 2015 season, Anthony Arena (#3) avenged a defensive mistake and leveled the score in the 1-1 draw against the Kickers last week. The former Major League Soccer defender made 16 appearances with the Riverhounds last season while on loan from the Houston Dynamo last season. Midfielder Tyler Pasher (#11) signed with the Riverhounds this season following stints in England and Finland, since posting one goal in his first six appearances. The 20-year old Ontario native recently earned his first two caps with the full Canadian National Team in March. Rookie goalkeeper Calle Brown (#30) backstopped the Riverhounds with a pair of point blank saves against the Kickers in his professional debut last week. Signing with Pittsburgh earlier this month, the 6'5" goalkeeper led the University of Virginia to the NCAA national title last December, earning the College Cup's most valuable defensive player honors.

Richmond Kickers Host Jacksonville Armada in U.S. Open Cup Third Round Wednesday

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup resumes at City Stadium on Wednesday, May 27 when the Richmond Kickers battle North American Soccer League (NASL) side Jacksonville Armada. Should the Kickers advance to the Fourth Round, they will take on the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer in June. Wednesday's match is slated to kick off at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 22, 2015


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