USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Play Back-to-Back This Weekend

Published on June 26, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Thursday, June 26, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers continue their six-game road stand this weekend with a back-to-back trip, first to face the Cleveland City Stars on Saturday, June 28th followed by a trip to meet the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Sunday, June 29th. The Kickers will stay up north and travel immediately to their US Open Cup Third Round match-up against the New England Revolution (MLS) on Tuesday, July 1st.

This weekend's matches will be the first for the Kickers against the City Stars and the Riverhounds, who reside on opposite ends of the league standings. Cleveland currently holds second place in the standings, just four points behind leaders Charlotte Eagles with 22 points on a 6-2-4 record. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh sits in the USL-2 basement as they search for their first win of the season, so far posting four draws in 11 games played. The Kickers dwell mid-table with a 5-4-1 record and 16 points. The Riverhounds and City Stars are due in Richmond on consecutive weekends in July, with the Kickers first hosting Pittsburgh on Saturday, July 12th followed by a home match-up against Cleveland on Saturday, July 19th.

Kickers versus City Stars

The Kickers meet the City Stars for the first time this season and hold a 1-0-2 record against the sophomore club. The two teams last played in Richmond on August 11, 2007 when they battled to a 1-1 tie. Kickers midfielder Sascha Görres gave the home side an early lead with a 16th minute goal, which was followed closely by a Cleveland equalizer at the 28th minute mark. Earlier that season, the two teams battled to a deadlock by the same scoreline in Cleveland on July 20th. Again, the home team took the lead, this time with the Kickers having to level the score on a last-minute tally. The USL-2 rivals also met during last year's US Open Cup when the Kickers ousted the City Stars in the Second Round by a 2-1 score, boosting Richmond to the Third Round and their eventual home win over the LA Galaxy (MLS).

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 6-4-1 record against Pittsburgh but the two teams have not met 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.

Last Time Out

Most recently, all three teams battled to draws in their last regular season outings. The Kickers and the Harrisburg City Islanders match last weekend ended scoreless, despite Harrisburg having to play a man down for the majority of the match due to an early red card ejection. Sascha Görres earned USL-2 Team of the Week honors for the second consecutive week after leading the squad to their fifth shutout (overall) on the season. Meanwhile, the City Stars versus Wilmington Hammerheads match ended with the same result, with neither team finding the back of the net in Cleveland. Cleveland outshot the Hammerheads 18-8 and forced the Wilmington goalkeeper to make seven saves to keep the City Stars scoreless. City Islanders forward Ian Leibbrandt led the attack with six shots. The Riverhounds were able to notch a lone goal against the Hammerheads the following night to take an early lead on a Travis MacKenzie tally. Pittsburgh could not hold the lead for long; however, when the Hammerheads rallied back in the second half to tie the game at one apiece.

Richmond Kickers Future/Destiny Doubleheader

While the Richmond Kickers Pro team is on the road, the Richmond Kickers Future and Richmond Kickers Destiny of the Premier Development League and W-League, respectively will host a doubleheader this Saturday, June 28th. The first leg kicks off at 3:00 pm at Sports Backers Stadium. Tickets are just $5.00 to see both matches.

The Future grabbed their first win of the season during last Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Virginia Legacy. Midfielder Andy McIntosh notched the Future's first goal, assisted by Boris Gatzky, who added a second tally to seal the victory. Gatzky earned an honorable mention on this week's PDL Team of the Week for his offensive efforts. The Future play host to the Cape Cod Crusaders at 3:00 pm at Sports Backers Stadium. The PDL contest will be the first leg of a doubleheader with the Richmond Kickers Destiny who take the field against the West Virginia Illusion at 7:00 pm. The Destiny are coming off a 3-0 road loss to the league-leading Atlanta Silverbacks.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 26, 2008


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