USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Host Rochester Friday

Published on April 30, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, April 30, 2014) - The Richmond Kickers host the Rochester Rhinos at City Stadium this Friday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. Happy Hour begins with live music from The Centipedes, food trucks and the Kickers official craft beer, Kick It Hunny, in the stadium's outdoor bar area when the gates open at 5:30 p.m. Happy Hour tickets including admission for two and two beers or lemonades are on sale now for $20 at RichmondKickers.com.

The Kickers return to City Stadium after all-time leading scorer, Matthew Delicâte, led the club to a 5-1 win over the Dayton Dutch Lions on the road last weekend. After conceding a goal in the 4th minute, the Kickers rallied behind a George Davis IV equalizer four minutes later. Delicâte answered with a pair of goals with Shay Spitz and Luke Vercollone rounding out the scoreline in the second half.

With a rivalry dating back to 1999, the Kickers meet the Rhinos for the first time this season after leading the two-game series 1-0-1 during the 2013 campaign. The two clubs last met in Rochester last July when a 90th minute equalizer spoiled a late-game lead for the Kickers to finish with a 1-1 draw. Earlier in the season, the Kickers handed their longtime rivals a 4-1 scoreline to narrow the Rhinos' all-time series record advantage to 9-7-7.

The Rhinos are 2-1-1 to start the season, most recently edging the Charleston Battery 1-0 in their home opener last weekend. Forward JC Banks gave the Rhinos a 19th minute lead while goalkeeper John McCarthy posted his second shutout in as many games.

Following Friday's match-up, the two clubs swap home field advantage to close out the home and away series in Rochester on May 30.

Players to Watch

Kickers: Forward Matthew Delicâte (#7) notched three goals in his last two appearances, most recently leading the Kickers to a 5-1 win in Dayton and earning USL PRO Team of the Week honors. Notching 74 goals over eight seasons in Richmond, the club's all-time leading scorer also holds the franchise record in points with 167. Defender Conor Shanosky (#26) returns to Richmond for his second season on loan from the Kickers official MLS affiliate, D.C. United. A key contributor during the Kickers 2013 Regular Season Championship run, the 6'4" native of Sterling, VA made 14 appearances and added two goals last season. New Zealand/American midfielder Shay Spitz (#27) signed with the Kickers prior to the 2014 campaign after spending two seasons with the Orange County Blues. After making 27 appearances and posting four goals in Orange County, he tallied his first goal in a Kickers uniform and added an assist during the Kickers 5-1 win in Dayton last week.

Rhinos: Forward JC Banks (#10) scored his second goal in as many games as the Rhinos defeated the Chicago Fire Reserves and the Charleston Battery last week. After seeing limited playing time in 2013 after being sidelined through injury, the prolific goal scorer returns to the starting line-up for his fourth season with the Rhinos. Joining Banks on this week's USL PRO Team of the Week, rookie goalkeeper John McCarthy (#77) posted back-to-back shutouts last week. The LaSalle University product backstopped PDL sides Reading United and Ocean City Nor'easters before signing his first professional contract with the Rhinos prior to the 2014 season. Midfielder Alec Sundley (#19) joins the Rhinos on loan from the club's MLS affiliate New England Revolution. Drafted in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft out of California, Sundley anchored the midfield in both of the Rhinos' most recent victories.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 30, 2014


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