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USL Richmond Kickers

National Team Stars in RVA Saturday

March 14, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


BOYDS, MD - Some of the world's best players are coming to Richmond for the first time ever this Saturday, March 17 when the National Women's Soccer League's Washington Spirit hosts the defending regular season champions North Carolina Courage at City Stadium. The party starts at 5:30pm with live music by Spider Kelly, RVA food trucks and craft beer on tap before the game kicks off at 7pm with nearly 4,000 tickets already out for the historic match. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

U.S. Women's National Team players scheduled to appear in the game for Washington include: 2018 NWSL College Draft No. 1 pick Andi Sullivan, 2017 NWSL Rookie of the Year Ashley Hatch, defender Taylor Smith and forward Mallory Pugh.

U.S. Women's National Team players scheduled to appear for North Carolina include: defender Abby Dahlkemper; midfielder McCall Zerboni; and forwards Crystal Dunn and Lynn Williams.

Washington also selected Canadian international defender/midfielder Rebecca Quinn with the No. 3 overall pick in the NWSL College Draft out of Duke University. With Quinn, the five U.S. internationals, as well as returning midfielders Yanara Aedo (Chile) and Estefania Banini (Argentina), and forward Francisca Ordega (Nigeria), the Spirit roster feature nine total players who are members of their respective national teams.

In addition, the Spirit returns several top performers from last season. Just a few of the team's key returning players include: defender Estelle Johnson, who was named to the NWSL Team of the Month twice in 2017; midfielder Havana Solaun, who scored five goals and led the team with four assists in her first season with the club; and midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard, who led the team in passing as a rookie.

Midfielder Tori Huster, the longest tenured Spirit player, enters her sixth season with the club after joining in 2013 ahead of the inaugural NWSL season. Six other players: Johnson, Ordega, goalkeeper Kelsey Wys, defenders Whitney Church and Caprice Dydasco, and midfielderJoanna Lohman are each entering their fourth seasons in Washington.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to bring the NWSL to Richmond's historic City Stadium," said Spirit Head Coach and General Manager Jim Gabarra. "We look forward to hosting such a quality side in the Courage and are sure all that attend will be treated to an entertaining match."

"We are thrilled that the Kickers' new long-term lease for City Stadium now allows the club to attract high profile events year-round," commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. "The Courage and Spirit rosters are comprised of numerous national team players who have represented their countries on the international stage and this is a fantastic opportunity for the RVA community to see many of the world's best players right here at City Stadium. We are delighted to collaborate with the Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage, and Richmond Strikers to bring this world-class match to Richmond."

In partnership with the Richmond Strikers, the match was planned to serve as the marquee game during this weekend's prestigious Jefferson Cup Girls Weekend, a major economic impact event for the RVA region each spring, which hosts to more than 5,000 players and 350 participating teams.

The game will provide youth players in town for the Jefferson Cup - and fans from throughout the Richmond area - with the opportunity to watch some of the best professional players in the world, including multiple U.S. Women's National Team members and other international stars.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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