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Richmond Kickers

O'Dwyer Brace, Billhardt Equalizer Extinguish Fuego FC

April 6, 2024 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


Richmond Kickers' Chandler O'Dwyer on the filed
Richmond Kickers' Chandler O'Dwyer on the filed
(Richmond Kickers)

RICHMOND, Va. - - The Richmond Kickers (1-2-0, 3 pts) earned a come-from-behind victory over Central Valley Fuego FC (1-3-0, 3 pts) on Saturday night. Chandler O'Dwyer opened the scoring for the Kickers and ultimately earned a brace with the gamewinner while Adrian Billhardt netted an equalizer in the middle.

Down 2-1 after the 58th minute, the Kickers rallied to earn their first league win of the 2024 season.

Billhardt started an offensive push off a Central Valley free kick in the 60th minute. Billhardt sent a ball from the half-line to Nil Vinyals in the center of the pitch who dribbled up to just outside the top of the 18. After his long pass, Billhardt took off for the box where Vinyals sent a ball through to him. Billhardt ripped it into the back of the net and tied the score again at two a piece.

O'Dwyer would take the lead back for the Kickers in the 73rd minute, claiming his second goal on the night. Billhardt dribbled into the box and took a shot that bounced off a defender to the feet of Vinyals. He took a shot of his own that was blocked as well but O'Dwyer caught the rebound on the volley and sent the ball into the net before the keeper could even get set.

The Kickers would then shut down Fuego's chances of an equalizer, outlasting the visitors through eight minutes of stoppage time to see out the three points.

Richmond started on the front foot against a feisty Fuego side.

In the ninth minute, Billhardt found Simon Fitch up the seam who took a hard foul to earn a free kick from the top corner of the 18. A beautifully bending shot from Maxi Schenfeld curved right for the far bottom corner but the Fuego keeper made a last-second save.

In the 17th minute, Arthur Bosua broke through the line but again Fuego was able to get a hand in front of the ball. The Central Valley backline sent the rebound of Avilez's save out of bounds for a Billhardt throw-in. Billhardt led Fitch to the end line with the ball and Fitch then crossed the ball back into the box. Chandler O'Dwyer timed a run to the top of the six perfectly and used his head to make the score 1-0 in the 18th minute.

Central Valley found the back of the net themselves in the 31st minute, forcing a turnover in the final third and beating the keeper one-on-one.

After the half, the Kickers kept knocking and first found a chance when James Vaughan crossed the ball to the top of Bosua's head who sent it towards the near post but a last-minute corral from the keeper kept it out of the net.

Central Valley took the lead in the 58th minute when Omar Lemus found the head of striker Zahir Vasquez inside the box.

In the 88th minute, Central Valley had another attempt turning a cross into a shot from the top right corner of the 18 but Maxi Schenfeld put his body in the way of the shot sending it sky high over the goal and away from Pablo Jara. On Fuego's ensuing corner, Schenfeld quickly cleared the attempt for the Kickers.

The Kickers are on the road next to face Henny Derby rivals Forward Madison FC on Saturday, April 13. Richmond will then return home to host USL Championship side Loudoun United FC on Wednesday, April 17 in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Third Round. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets

Season Tickets are still available for the 2024 season! Fans can unlock massive savings, access to exclusive events, a complimentary CityStadium+ Membership and so much more. Be a part of every out-of-your-seat experience in 2024 with Season Tickets! Additional information can be found richmondkickers.com/seasontickets.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Richmond Kickers' Chandler O'Dwyer on the filed
Richmond Kickers' Chandler O'Dwyer on the filed
   

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