USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Play to 1-1 Draw in Home Opener against USL Newcomer Louisville City FC

Published on April 4, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - An early second half goal from Kickers veteran midfielder Matthew Delicate was enough to bring Richmond level and walk away with a point after earning a 1-1 draw in the club's first match against new USL club Louisville City FC Saturday afternoon at City Stadium.

While defense played a major role in the opening stages of the match for both clubs, Louisville City was able to break through and score the opening goal of the match in the 35th minute.

A caution to Richmond defender Jalen Robinson set up a free-kick situation for Louisville City just outside the Kickers' 18-yard-box. The kick, taken by midfielder Juan Guzman, found its way into Richmond's penalty box and the head of Louisville City defender Austen King, who directed the ball into the back of the net, beating Richmond goalkeeper and DC United loanee Travis Worra and giving the visitor's 1-0 lead, which they carried through stoppage time and into the start of the second half.

Only seven minutes into the second half, the Kickers responded as Delicate was able to find an open lane in the Louisville City box as veteran defender Sascha Goerres sent an aerial pass forward toward goal.

Delicate settled the ball and released a quick shot that found its way past Louisville's defense and goalkeeper Scott Goodwin, bringing the game level at one goal apiece in the 51st minute.

As the match went on, the offense of both clubs fought to break the tie, with new Richmond signee Yudai Imura finding his way into offensive situations throughout the second half, including a chance in the 79th minute after Imura was able to steal the ball from an advancing Louisville City player and turn it into a scoring drive.

Imura drove down the right side with Richmond's forwards in stride, sending an aerial cross into the Louisville City's penalty box but, a last-second deflection off of the defense led to the ball redirecting out of zone for a Richmond corner.

That corner led to several sustained efforts by Richmond in the final ten minutes of the match with several chances going wide of the goal or over the crossbar, including a late chance by Kickers midfielder George Davis IV that was cleared away by Louisville City moments before he was able to fire off a shot on goal.

Three minutes of stoppage time in the second half resulted in neither team finding the go-ahead goal and the match finished in a 1-1 draw, the second draw for the Kickers this season.

Richmond will be back at City Stadium on Friday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. as they take on Wilmington Hammerheads FC. Gates for the match open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 4, 2015


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