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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Remain Undefeated After 1-1 Draw with Vancouver Whitecaps

June 22, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers remained undefeated at City Stadium after battling Major League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps FC Reserves to a 1-1 draw. Conceding an early goal by Kekuta Manneh, the Kickers rallied from the deficit when Joseph Ngwenya buried the equalizer in the second half. Outshooting the MLS Reserves team 10-3 in front of a rain soaked crowd of 2,135, the home side was denied twice by the woodwork after the 90th minute to take a point in the USL PRO/MLS interleague match-up.

Pressing early, Vancouver claimed the lead when midfielder Corey Hertzog controlled the ball through traffic 30 yards out before a missed clearance teed it up for Manneh who barreled through the defensive congestion. Deftly eluding defenders, the speedy forward struck from the top of the box and buried the first goal of the night in the 22nd minute.

Looking to pull a goal back before the end of the first 45, the Kickers nearly equalized in the 32nd minute when defender Shane Johnson delivered a long throw in from the left wing over the defense, connecting with Michael Seaton. The Kickers 17-year old forward carried the ball into the box and played it back to a heavily marked Joseph Ngwenya 18 yards out. The resulting shot was blocked but the rebound fell to Nate Robinson whose shot from 16 yards whistled just wide of the target.

Five minutes later, Robinson delivered the ball from the right flank to the far post, finding Seaton who played it back to Brian Ownby 12 yards out but the Kickers midfielder pulled his shot just wide.

Robinson was dangerous again just before the break when he swiftly evaded defenders through the box and sliced the ball across the goalmouth. Hoping to connect with Seaton stationed at the far post, his well-timed cross bounced just out of reach.

Picking up where they left off, the Kickers' persistence paid off 10 minutes after the restart when Ownby received the ball deep on the left wing and centered it for an onrushing Ngwenya who made no mistake on the six-yard tap in.

As the weather worsened just before the hour mark, the Kickers nearly claimed the advantage when Ownby raced down the left flank and kept the ball from going over the end line. Whitecaps goalkeeper Simon Thomas batted his cross away, only to find Mike Callahan 12 yards out, who laid it off to an onrushing Henry Kalungi. The Ugandan International rushed onto it and struck from the top of the box but his curling shot whizzed inches over the crossbar.

The Whitecaps retaliated in the 72nd minute when Manneh played a corner from the right side back to Derek Bassi. The second half substitute delivered the ball into the swarming box where it was cleared out to an awaiting Aminu Abdallah at the top of the 18, who forced Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra to leap to his left as his rocket-shot grazed just past the right post.

Later, Ngwenya saw a second goal called back due to an offside ruling before Ownby was thwarted by the post after a crafty Seaton picked out his break on the left wing.

However, the Kickers did not let up on the throttle for the duration of the second half and nearly stole all three points, only to be twice denied the game-winner after the 90th minute. First, second half substitute Matthew Delicate received the ball in the penalty area and played it back to Philippe Davies who struck from the top of the box. His shot was deflected wide for a corner, with the resulting inswinger finding William Yomby at the far post but his header from point blank range ricocheted off the upright before being cleared from harm's way.

Then, with seconds remaining in regulation, the ball pinged around the box, eventually falling to Ownby who turned his mark at the top of the box and unleashed a determined shot that rattled the crossbar.

Following tonight's match, the Richmond Kickers embark on an eight-game road swing, beginning with a back-to-back trip to Orlando City and VSI Tampa Bay FC on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30, respectively. Follow the Kickers on the road at USLNation.com.

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