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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers open season with 2-0 win

April 21, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers opened the 2007 regular season with a 2-0 victory over the Cincinnati Kings in front of 3,426. A scoreless first half gave way to two goals in the final 20 minutes of the match by Kickers midfielders Mike Burke and Sascha Görres in the 71st and 82nd minutes respectively.

The Kickers applied pressure from the beginning when midfielder Matthew Watson sent a ball through to a streaking Ssejjemba at the right corner of the box but his shot was smothered by Kings goalkeeper Craig Salvati in the 4th minute.

Cincinnati retaliated in the 18th minute when forward Mike McGinlay carried the ball down the left flank, eluding Kickers defenders at the top of the box. His shot was directly on goal but Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was able to make the stop.

The 21st minute saw Ssejjemba again in the box, escaping defenders while passing the ball back to Burke deep on the right wing. Burke's high cross returned to Ssejjemba in the air at the penalty spot but his high header sailed just wide of the target.

The stalemate was finally broken in the 71st minute when rookie midfielder Evan Harding sent a long ball to the top of the box, finding Burke who faked out the defenders in the six yard box. His low shot slipped past a diving Salvati into the back of the net.

Ten minutes later, the Kickers doubled the score when Watson drew a foul, resulting in a free kick, deep in the right corner. Görres took the shot, bending a bouncing ball into the low far corner of the net for the final tally of the night.

The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium next Saturday, April 28th for Family Fitness Night as the Kickers host the New Hampshire Phantoms. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., gates open at 6:00 p.m. Train like the pros with the Kickers official Speed & Conditioning Coach Reed Kagan. Register your child (ages 8-12) during the first half of next week's game to participate in a training session on the field during halftime. Order tickets in advance to the Kickers next home game via RichmondKickers.com and save $2.00.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 21, 2007


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