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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers receive back-to-back USL2 Organization of the Year Awards

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


Richmond, VA - (Wednesday, November 21, 2007) - The Richmond Kickers earned the USL Second Division Organization of the Year award at the USL Annual General Meeting last weekend. Richmond received the honor consecutively after leading and hosting back-to-back USL2 Championships, taking the award for the fourth time in franchise history (USL Franchise of the Year, 1995; USL1 Organization of the Year, 2000, USL2 Organization of the Year 2006, 2007). The Kickers finished the 2007 campaign as Regular Season Champions with a record of 12-3-5, 41 points, en route to their second consecutive USL2 Championship appearance, falling just short of the title after nine rounds of penalties kicks.

"The Organization of the Year award is a deserved honor based not only on being a top organization on the field but also on the quality of the front office staff of the Kickers, in terms of how they present their game day and handle operations," comments USL Executive Vice President and COO Tim Holt. "The Kickers lead by example to pave the way for the future growth of the USL Second Division. They have created the model for all USL Second Division teams to aspire to, both on and off the field."

"The Kickers are honored to be recognized by USL for our on and off the field accomplishments," comments Richmond Kickers President Tom Depcrynski. "To have received this award consecutively, given the success of the USL this year in the US Open Cup, we are honored to be considered one of the top organizations in the league. We strive to continually perform at the highest level to achieve our mission while maintaining the standards set by USL.

The Kickers boasted several players on the USL2 All-League First Team, including Ronnie Pascale, Mike Burke and Matt Watson. Additionally, Pascale claimed the USL2 Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second straight season, while midfielder and captain Burke earned USL2 Most Valuable Player honors and the USL2 Assists Leader award. USL2 Most Valuable Player in 2006, Robert Ssejjemba represented Richmond on the USL2 Second Team.

Richmond qualified for post-season play for the 12th time in their 15-year franchise history, making their sixth Championship appearance, third consecutively, at the conclusion of the 2006 campaign. The Kickers' five previous league Championship appearances (1995, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2006) include winning the Premier League title in 1995, a shoot-out loss to Seattle during the 2005 USL First Division final and claiming the USL Second Division Championship in 2006.

Richmond Kickers Destiny Claims USL W-League Communications Award

The Richmond Kickers Destiny garnered the USL W-League Communications Award, marking the first league honor during the Destiny's four-year history. The Communication award recognizes the W-League team who most effectively communicates with both local and national media and its fans.

The Destiny secured a playoff berth in 2007 for the second time in franchise history, representing the Atlantic Division in the Central Conference Playoffs. Concluding their fourth season, under the guidance of Head Coach Jesse Myers, with a record of 9-2-1 and 28 points, the Destiny placed second in the Central Conference standings. Additionally, the Destiny saw two players named to the W-League All-League team including All-Central Conference players Jaclyn Raveia and Jen Parsons, with Raveia also taking the W-League Defender of the Year award.

The USL W-League provides the most complete women's player pool in the world and is recognized as North America's best women's developmental organization, giving the nation's best college players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility.

Club Highlights:

USL Premier League National Champions 1995

U.S. Open Cup Champions 1995

USL Franchise of the Year 1995

USL Second Division Finalists 1996

USL First Division Atlantic Division Champions 1998

USL First Division Progress Award 1998

USL First Division Organization of the Year Award 2000

USL First Division Regular Season Champions 2001

USL First Division Eastern Conference Champions 2002

USL First Division Finalists 2002

USL 10+ Club 2002

USL First Division Fair Play Award 2004

USL First Division Finalists 2005

USL Second Division Regular Season Champions 2006

USL Second Division Champions 2006

USL Second Division Organization of the Year 2006

USL W-League Communications Award 2007

USL Second Division Regular Season Champions 2007

USL Second Division Finalists 2007

USL Second Division Organization of the Year 2007

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from November 21, 2007


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