Kickers Open 2014 Season in Charleston
Published on March 27, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, VA - (Thursday, March 27, 2014) - The Richmond Kickers open the 2014 season on the road this Saturday, March 29 against the Charleston Battery at 7:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast live from Blackbaud Stadium on YouTube.com. The Kickers return to City Stadium one week later to host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the regular season home opener on Saturday, April 5 at 5:00 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.
The Kickers meet their longtime rivals for the first time since swapping home and home victories last season. Saturday's match marks the 49th meeting between the two clubs over the past 22 years, with the series deadlocked at 22 wins, 22 losses and four draws. Despite combining for seven league Championship titles (Charleston 1996, 2003, 2010, 2012; Richmond 1995, 2006, 2009), the two sides have only met in one high-stakes match, when the Battery claimed their third league title in a heated 2-1 affair on August 28, 2010.
Rivals since 1993, Richmond and Charleston, alongside fellow USL PRO side Charlotte Eagles are the longest, continuously operating professional soccer clubs in the country. The Kickers first-ever league match against the Battery was on May 1, 1993 at Stoney Field in downtown Charleston. The Battery claimed the 2-1 victory behind goals from Mario Lone and Nigel James, with current head coach Leigh Cowlishaw notching the lone goal for the Kickers.
Charleston enter this weekend's match on the heels of a 1-1 draw against the defending USL PRO Champions Orlando City to open the 2014 campaign. The Battery gained the advantage on a second half Mamdou Diouf tally before conceding the equalizer 10 minutes later.
The Kickers' return to Richmond on Saturday, April 5 officially kicks off the club's 22nd season at City Stadium. Loveland Distributing will once again be the official sponsor of the outdoor bar area, located on the south side of the main concourse. The expansive area serves as a unique, gathering place for fans before and during games, offering a variety of food and beverage options, including the Kickers-specific craft beer, Kick It Hunny and live music.
Richmond Kickers season passes offer unbeatable value, VIP benefits and incredibly low prices to all regular season home games. Guaranteed to see all regular season home games for the best possible pricing, Kickers games are a fantastic way to get together with friends, family and colleagues for an unforgettable entertainment experience - order now!
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 27, 2014
- Join OKC Energy FC at a Pair of Events this Weekend - OKC Energy FC
- OKC Energy FC Finalizes 2014 Roster - OKC Energy FC
- Battery Squares off with Richmond Kickers - Charleston Battery
- Kickers Open 2014 Season in Charleston - Richmond Kickers
- Match Preview: Orlando to Play Final USL PRO Home Opener on Saturday - Orlando City SC
- Highmark Stadium and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Professional Soccer Commence Voluntary Chapter 11 Pr - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Oc Blues FC Sign New Players - Orange County SC
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