Kickers Snap Four-Game Winless Streak With Victory Over Puerto Rico
Published on July 2, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Richmond Kickers News Release
Richmond, VA - The Richmond Kickers avenged last weekend's loss to Puerto Rico with a 1-0 rematch victory over the Islanders tonight in front of a crowd of 3,412. After a scoreless first half, a foul inside the box in the 47th minute resulted in a red card ejection to Puerto Rico defender Marco Velez and a penalty kick for Richmond forward Robert Ssejjemba. Ssejjemba snapped the Kickers four-game winless streak with his second goal in two games, both on penalties. Later, a second Puerto Rico red-card left the Islanders down to nine men and the Kickers were able to hold on to their fourth shutout of the 2005 campaign.
The first half remained scoreless despite several chances on both sides of the field. Puerto Rico midfielder Alejandro Gonzalez created multiple scoring opportunities but was unable to finish in the 16th, 22nd or 34th minutes, forcing Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale to make leaping saves.
Richmond leading scorer, forward Matthew Delicate, was equally as dangerous with several last-minute scoring attempts. With two minutes remaining in the first half, Delicate received the ball from forward Robert Ssejjemba a few yards from the goal but his one-touch strike sailed just wide of the goal.
Soon after, in first half stoppage time, Ssejjemba again took control of the ball and carried it down the left flank. Challenging a defender, he crossed the ball to Delicate in front of the goal who spun around the last Puerto Rico defender and faced Puerto Rico goalkeeper Dan Kennedy one-on-one. Kennedy was able to make a heroic save to block Delicate's attempt from 10 yards out.
Ssejjemba clinched the Kickers first win in four outings in the 47th minute, scoring on his second penalty kick in as many games against the Islanders. After being taken down from behind inside the box, Ssejjemba faked out Kennedy by drawing him to the left but then drilled a low, right-footed strike into the lower right hand corner of the goal. The Islanders were forced to play a man down after the penalty call due to a red-card ejection received by Marco Velez for his involvement in the foul.
A close call for the Kickers occurred in the 77th minute when a Puerto Rico goal was annulled due to a foul called against Puerto Rico in the box.
Later in the 90th minute, the Islanders went down to eight men on the field when Raphel Ortiz received a red card for throwing the ball in Richmond midfielder Sascha Gorres face. Shortly after, Richmond midfielder Mike Burke raced down the right flank and played a square pass to forward Kevin Jeffrey who then played a square pass to a wide-open McColm Cephas. Cephas was alone on goal but his shot from 10 yards out sailed just over the bar.
The Richmond Kickers earned a much-needed three points to preserve their first place position in the USL standings with a record of 9-4-2 and 29 points. The Kickers take to the road for the next two league matches, first traveling north to Montreal on Wednesday, July 6th then south to face the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday, July 9th. They return to Richmond to enter the Third Round of the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, July 13th when they play host to the Ocean City Barons of the Premier Development League at 7:00 p.m. at Sports Backers Stadium.
USL First Division Stories from July 2, 2005
- Despite playing a man down, Portland manages 1-1 tie - Portland Timbers
- Lady Lynx Back to Winning Ways - Toronto Lynx
- Kickers Snap Four-Game Winless Streak With Victory Over Puerto Rico - Richmond Kickers
- Charleston loses to Rochester - Charleston Battery
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