USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Travel to Bethlehem Sunday

March 16, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers will open the 2018 USL season this Sunday, March 18 as they travel to take on Bethlehem Steel FC at Goodman Stadium for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff. The match will be available to stream online through the USL Match Center.

The meeting this Sunday between Bethlehem and the Kickers will be the fifth meeting of the two clubs since Steel FC's first season in 2016. The series is level with a win apiece and two draws. The first meeting in 2017 ended with the Kickers taking a point on the road at Goodman Stadium. Luiz Fernando scored to give the Kickers a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute. Steel FC tied it up in the 51st minute through Aaron Jones. The Kickers would get their first victory over Steel FC July 22, 2017, a 3-2 win at City Stadium. Jones struck again, opening the scoring in the 39th minute for Bethlehem. Right out of halftime, the Kickers would jump to a 2-1 lead with Oliver and Fernando scoring in the 46th and 47th minutes respectively. Ken Tribbett leveled the score in the 69th minute for Steel FC. Samuel Asante rescued the three points for the Kickers, scoring the game winner in the 87th minute.

The Kickers will be looking to bounce back after a season that finished with a record of 8-16-8. Looking for an offensive spark, the Kickers have brought in veteran, proven goal scorers in Heviel Cordovés, Giuseppe Gentile and Brian Shriver. Adding to the defensive ranks, Leigh Cowlishaw signed Austin Yearwood and Mekeil Williams along with goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg to join a stout defensive unit that includes league veterans Alex Lee, Braeden Troyer and William Yomby.

Bethlehem will have a different look for the 2018 season, with the most notable addition to the roster being Brandon Allen, who spent the last two seasons with New York Red Bulls II scoring 24 goals over that time. Steel FC finished the 2017 USL regular season with an overall record of 12-12-8, earning them a spot in the 2017 USL Playoffs, falling to the eventual champions Louisville City FC, 0-4.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Richmond: Signing with the Kickers for the 2018 season, forward Heviel Cordovés (#16) joined the Kickers to be an offensive threat. He had nine goals in 2017 with the Charleston Battery, and 21 goals over five seasons with the long-time rivals. Bringing in MLS experience, defender Mekeil Williams (#55) signed with the Kickers after spending the past two seasons with the Colorado Rapids where he made 38 appearances. He has been capped by the Trinidad & Tobago National Team on 17 occasions, including 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Mexico and Panama. Midfielder Matt Bolduc (#11) comes into his first full season with the Kickers after signing with the Kickers in May of 2017, scoring two goals and adding an assist over 14 matches. Before coming to Richmond, Bolduc spent 2016 with the Harrisburg City Islanders (now Penn FC) where he made 19 appearances and contributed one assist.

Bethlehem: The most notable addition for Steel FC is forward Brandon Allen (#40) who joined the Philadelphia Union affiliates after spending the past two seasons with New York Red Bulls II before signing with Minnesota United. Allen scored 24 goals over 42 appearances, including two goals in the 2016 USL Cup final, that New York would eventually win after penalty kicks. Captain of Steel FC, midfielder James Chambers (#45) returns for his third season in Bethlehem. The 31-year-old made 28 appearances last season, all but two being starts, and netted six goals and contributed one assist. The No. 21 overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC, defender Brandon Aubrey (#44) joined the USL affiliate Toronto FC II, making 21 appearances and led the team in in clearances (121), interceptions (82) and blocks (22) while conceding only 23 fouls.

Experience the passion, excitement and authentic atmosphere at City Stadium with the Richmond Kickers 2018 season kicks off this spring. Richmond Kickers Season Ticket Benefits include 45-60% off match day prices, exclusive invitations, merchandise discounts and VIP benefits. Guaranteed to see all regular season, US Open Cup and playoff games for the best possible pricing, Kickers Season Tickets are a fantastic way to get together with friends, family and colleagues for an unforgettable experience - order now!

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