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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Long-Awaited Return to Ur Stadium Saturday

July 8, 2008 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Tuesday, July 8, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium this Saturday, July 12th to host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 7:00 pm after a six-game road stand. Donate new and gently used clothing, sports equipment and uniforms to benefit the children of Gulu, Northern Uganda and purchase tickets for just $5.00 at the gate. Additionally, the first 500 fans through the gate will receive a free koozie, courtesy of PODS.

Kickers Versus Riverhounds

Long-time rivals with the Kickers in the USL First Division, the Riverhounds made their come-back in the USL-2 this season after a one-year hiatus. After five seasons in the top flight, the Riverhounds realigned with the USL-2 in 2004, two years ahead of the Kickers. Overall, the Kickers hold a 7-4-1 record against Pittsburgh with the two teams meeting for the first time last week since a 1-1 road tie on June 2, 2006. The Riverhounds finished third in the league that season, 13 points behind the eventual USL-2 Champion Kickers who ran away with the regular season title.

Most recently, the Kickers met the Riverhounds on June 29th in Pittsburgh in the midst of a six-game road trip when Richmond topped their USL-2 rivals 3-1. Starting goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale gave way to backup Mark Murphy who narrowly missed a shutout in Pittsburgh, courtesy of a last-minute penalty kick converted by the Riverhounds. Murphy recorded his first win as a professional goalkeeper and made his first start of the season. On loan from the New York Red Bulls, Ricky Schramm returned to add firepower for his former team, and opened scoring against the Riverhounds with a 30th minute tally. The 21st Kickers player to advance to MLS, Schramm finished fourth in scoring with Richmond during his rookie season in 2007 on seven goals and two assists for 16 points overall and signed a developmental contract with the Red Bulls following the USL-2 campaign. Defender Anthony Catalano netted his second goal of the season while leading scorers David Bulow and Stanley Nyazamba connected for the third and final mark on the weekend.

Last Time Out

A six-point weekend capped off the road stand for the Kickers as they shutout the Real Maryland Monarchs 3-0 on Friday, July 4th before a 7-1 romp over the Bermuda Hogges last Sunday. The extra points boosted Richmond into second place in the USL-2 table with a record of 8-4-2 and 26 points, just five points away from the league-leading Charlotte Eagles. Meanwhile, the Riverhounds (1-8-4, 7 points) attempt to climb out of the standings basement after posting their first win of the season with a 2-0 affair against the Western Mass Pioneers over the weekend.

Players to Watch

Kickers: Kickers forward David Bulow (#10) leads the team with six goals and three assists for 15 points, courtesy of a hat trick and a pair of assists notched over Bermuda on Sunday. He earned USL-2 Team of the Week honors this week for his efforts. He also bolstered the Kickers 3-1 win in Pittsburgh, adding a goal over the Riverhounds before netting a flurry of goals against the Hogges two days later. Bulow added a goal and an assist during Open Cup play and has appeared in every match so far this season. Joining Bulow on the USL-2 Team of the Week, midfielder Adrian Bumbut (#9) recently burst onto the scoring scene after netting a goal and an assist over Maryland last Friday. One week prior, he added two assists during the Kickers 3-1 win in Pittsburgh and now resides in fourth place in scoring on the team with five points. Former New England Revolution midfielder Luke Vercollone (#4) assisted on a goal and added his second tally of the season in Bermuda. Vercollone is now tied in team scoring at five points with Adrian. A stalwart on both sides of the ball, defender Kelvin Jones (#5) kept the opposition at just one goal while recording an assist in each of the Maryland and Bermuda games over the weekend. The third-year defender notched his first goal of the season during the Kickers 2-1 Open Cup win in Western Mass last month.

Riverhounds:

Riverhounds goalkeeper Zach Varga (#0) was named USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Week for posting six saves during Pittsburgh's first shutout of the season over Western Mass last weekend. He currently holds a goals against average of 1.500 in six games played. Joining Varga on this week's Team of the Week, defender Greg Janicki (#16) was recognized for adding an assist on midfielder Jean Jerome's game-winning goal. Jerome (#22) leads the Riverhounds with two goals on the season, adding an assist during Pittsburgh's 1-1 tie against Wilmington one week prior. Midfielder Justin Evans (#7) tallied the Riverhounds lone goal against Richmond last month, converting a penalty kick late in the game. Evans extended the lead over Western Mass, finding the back of the net on another penalty kick last weekend. Former Kickers defender Ed Hayden (#8) joined the Riverhounds squad prior to the 2008 season after taking the USL-2 Championship title with Richmond in 2006. Hayden has made 13 appearances and notched two goals this season but is currently serving a one-game suspension due to a red card last weekend.

Gifts For Gulu

The Richmond Kickers are pleased to once again team up with Sports Outreach Institute, Inc. to host the third annual Gifts For Gulu Night, benefiting the children of Northern Uganda this Saturday. Kickers defender Kevin Knight has made several trips to Uganda over the past three years, which prompted a clothing and equipment drive for the children in need, specifically Northern Uganda.

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