USL Richmond Kickers

Nyazamba 22nd Kicker to move on to MLS

Published on September 16, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Tuesday, September 16, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that midfielder Stanley Nyazamba has signed a developmental contract with the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, marking the 22nd Kickers player to advance to MLS. Nyazamba recently earned the USL-2 Rookie of the Year award following the 2008 campaign in Richmond.

"It was evident from day one that Stanley was an extremely talented individual," comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach. "We sincerely hope that playing professional soccer with the Kickers for five months will provide him with the foundation needed to secure a long term contract with MLS."

In his first professional season, Nyazamba quickly became one of the Kickers top scorers, tallying eight goals and two assists overall for 18 points. The native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe garnered USL-2 Team of the Week honors consecutively, notching the game-winning lone goal over Western Mass and Charlotte on May 17th and May 24th, respectively. Good for third on the team in scoring, he also finished in the top 10 in goals and points in the USL-2.

Nyazamba joined the Kickers upon graduating from Lee University of the NAIA Conference last spring. Adding 12 goals and 20 assists his senior year, the 6'1" midfielder finished with 28 goals and 44 points over three seasons, eclipsing the All-Time Assists Leader at Lee University with 60 assists overall.

In franchise history, 22 players have progressed from the Richmond Kickers into Major League Soccer. Former Kickers players who have advanced to MLS include Mike Clark (Columbus Crew), Dwayne DeRosario (Houston Dynamo), Brian Kamler (D.C. United, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution), Brian Bates (Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn), Scott Budnick (Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny), Jeff Causey (New England Revolution, D.C. United), Ben Crawley (D.C. United), Ted Gillen (NY/NJ Metrostars), Gary Glasgow (Kansas City Wizards), Onandi Lowe (Kansas City Wizards), Mike McGinty (D.C. United), Mark Simpson (D.C. United), Todd Yeagley (Columbus Crew), Ihor Dotsenko (Kansas City Wizards), Rob Ukrop (New England Revolution), Richie Williams (D.C. United, NY/NJ Metrostars), David Testo (Columbus Crew), Clyde Simms (D.C. United), Joey Worthen (Real Salt Lake), Robert Ssejjemba (D.C. United), Ricky Schramm (New York Red Bulls) and Stanley Nyazamba (Columbus Crew).

Former Kickers alumni who also graduated to MLS also includes Brian Kamler (Director of Soccer Development, Real Salt Lake), Marco Ferruzzi (Assistant Coach, FC Dallas), Richie Williams (Assistant Coach, New York Red Bulls), former Kickers Head Coach Colin Clarke (Head Coach, FC Dallas) and former Kickers General Manager Curt Johnson (General Manager, Kansas City Wizards).

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