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Richmond Kickers

Kickers Return To Regular Season Action Sunday

June 15, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Friday, June 15, 2007) - The Kickers return to regular season action this Sunday, June 17th to host the Bermuda Hogges at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a beach ball courtesy of Ukrop's and kids can register their dads for a soccer golf competition during halftime to win a free round of golf at one of Richmond's premier country clubs. Order tickets in advance until noon on game day via www.RichmondKickers.com.

The Kickers meet the expansion franchise Bermuda Hogges for the first time this season and will finish the series next weekend in Bermuda. Just one point behind Charlotte in the standings, the Kickers boast a record of 6-0-2 and 20 points with two games in hand while Bermuda rests in the standings' basement at five games played with a record of 0-4-1 and one point.

Players To Watch

Kickers: USL2 Goalkeeper of the Year (2006), Ronnie Pascale (#22) posted his fifth shutout in eight games played with the 2-0 victory over Wilmington last weekend. In addition to allowing no more than four goals this season, he also added offensive power, contributing an assist on the Kickers second goal of the night over Wilmington. Also an integral component to the Kickers success, defensive stalwart Trevor McEachron (#7) earned USL2 Team of the Week honors this week for his efforts in leading the Kickers to the 2-0 shutout over the Hammerheads. Additionally, he headed in a goal off of a Sascha Görres (#23) corner kick during the Kickers 4-2 US Open Cup victory over the Michigan Bucks on Tuesday. Görres also tallied the eventual game-winner during the recent Open Cup match and is currently tied for first on the squad in scoring with six points during regular season play. Forward David Bulow (#10) adds firepower with his second goal in three games during the Kickers 2-0 win over Wilmington. A late-season addition in 2006, Bulow rejoined the Kickers starting lineup in May at the conclusion of a coaching commitment in his hometown of Denver, Colorado.

Hogges: Former English Premier League players Shaun Goater (#20) and Kyle Lightbourne (#23) lead the Hogges both on the field and off, as players, coaches and co-owners. Goater has experience with several English clubs but is most well know for his time at Manchester City where he tallied over 100 goals (1998-2003), leading the club in scoring for four consecutive seasons. Lightbourne spent the majority of his career with English clubs such as Coventry City, Stoke City and Macclesfield Town. Both Goater and Lightbourne have extensive playing experience with the Bermudian National Team, earning 36 caps (32 goals) and 40 caps (15 goals) respectively. Midfielder Kwame Steede (#17) and forward Stephen Astwood (#9) currently lead the Hogges with three points each on a goal and an assist a piece.

Recent Match Updates

Playing their second game in six days, the Kickers recently ousted the Michigan Bucks (PDL) from the US Open Cup on Tuesday, June 12th on a 4-2 scoreline. Richmond went up 2-0 in the first half on goals by Robert Ssejjemba and Trevor McEachron. When the second half kicked off nearly three hours later, due to lightning delays, Sascha Görres added a third tally, which was quickly answered by two Michigan goals within three minutes. As the game drew to an end, close to midnight, Kickers midfielder Matthew Watson registered the clincher.

Three days prior, the Kickers picked up three points from the Wilmington Hammerheads, posting their fifth shutout of the season with a 2-0 win. Ssejjemba tallied his third regular season goal of the season while newcomer David Bulow notched his second in three games played.

At the opposite end of the standings, the Bermuda Hogges most recently dropped a 4-2 decision at the Harrisburg City Islanders last weekend, despite getting on the board first with a 10th minute tally by Stephen Astwood. Looking for their first victory of the season, the Hogges first travel to Crystal Palace Baltimore on Saturday before battling at the University of Richmond Stadium Sunday.

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Second Round

The Kickers have advanced to the Second Round of the 2007 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, hosting the Cleveland City Stars Tuesday, June 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. Despite a three-hour lightning delay halfway through the Kickers First Round match, Richmond was able to hold onto a 4-2 lead over the Michigan Bucks (PDL) last week to advance to the next round of play. The winner of the Second Round will advance to a round of 16 to face a Major League Soccer team with pairings to be announced. Tickets are on sale now via RichmondKickers.com.

About the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Dating back to 1914, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in the United States and is among the oldest in the world. Open to all amateur and professional teams in the US, the 94-year old, single-elimination domestic cup competition gives any affiliated team in the US a chance at winning US Soccer's "National Championship" and the $100,000 purse.

Seven of the nine U.S.-based teams in the USL2 qualified for the tournament. The Richmond Kickers received an automatic berth as the defending league champion and join nine USL1 teams, seven USL2 teams, 8 PDL teams and 8 USASA teams. On June 26, the 16 first-round winners will face off in the second round with eight victors moving into the third round to square off against eight MLS teams.

The defending champion Chicago Fire and the other seven MLS teams enter the tournament on July 10 in the third round. The quarterfinals will be played Aug. 7, the semifinals will be played Sept. 4, and the final will be played on Oct. 2.

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