USL Richmond Kickers

Richmond Kickers Destiny Host Two Over Holiday Weekend

Published on May 22, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


Richmond, VA - (Thursday, May 22, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers Destiny of the W-League are slated to host two matches over Memorial Day weekend, first taking on the Charlotte Lady Eagles on Saturday, May 24th, followed by a match up with the Atlanta Silverbacks on Monday, May 26th. This Saturday's match will be held at the University of Richmond Stadium (just off the Downtown Expressway), as the first leg of a doubleheader with the Richmond Kickers Pro team, kicking off at 4:00 pm.

Destiny vs. Lady Eagles

The Charlotte Lady Eagles finished the 2007 campaign two points behind the Destiny in the standings, narrowing missing playoff contention. The two teams last met in Charlotte last July, battling to a scoreless draw after the Destiny handed the Lady Eagles a 3-2 upset in Richmond in May.

The Destiny dropped their season home opener last weekend, 3-0, to the Carolina RailHawks while the Lady Eagles have yet to lose a match. Charlotte gained six goals and six points in their first two, over the West Virginia Illusion (3-0) and the Carolina Dynamo (3-2). Charlotte's Kelly Schmedes garnered an Honorable Mention on this week's W-League Team of the Week for notching a goal and an assist over the Dynamo.

Charlotte is led by head coach Lee Horton, who has coached the Lady Eagles since the club's inception in 2000, never suffering more than three losses in a season. He led the Lady Eagles to the W-2 Championship in 2001, earning Coach of the Year honors that season and garnered the award again following the 2005 season.

Destiny vs. Silverbacks

The Destiny turn around and take on W-League powerhouse Atlanta Silverbacks on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm at First Market Stadium, on the campus of the University of Richmond. The Silverbacks were last year's Central Conference Champions and W-League Finalists and have since gone undefeated in 2008. They handed the Hampton Roads Piranhas a 3-1 decision to open the season, followed by a 2-0 win over the Dynamo and a 5-0 romp over the RailHawks last weekend. Forward Sarah Steinmann was honored as W-League Player of the Week for leading the Silverbacks to victory in all three games to start the season. Last week alone, she recorded five goals in two games, bringing her season total to seven.

The Silverbacks are led by former English Premier League player Keith Jones, who guided Atlanta to a franchise high 12-3-1 record en route to their first W-League Championship appearance last season.

Following this weekend's fixtures, the Destiny will head to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Hellenic and Bradenton Athletics, back-to-back on Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st, respectively.

An under-23 amateur women's league, the W-League provides the most complete women's player pool in the world and is recognized as North America's best women's developmental organization. The W-League offers the best local college and club players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility.

Future take to the road

Meanwhile, the Richmond Kickers Future of the Premier Development League (PDL) take to the road to face the Newark Ironbound Express, tonight, Thursday, May 22nd, and the Ocean City Barons tomorrow, Friday, May 23rd after a two-game home stand to open the season.

Last time out, the Future were on the wrong end of a lone goal to suffer a narrow loss to the Fredericksburg Gunners. Richmond opened the season with a 2-2 draw to the Rhode Island Stingrays earlier this month, rallying back from a two-goal deficit at the half. Meanwhile, both Newark and Ocean City hold a record of 1-0-2, most recently battling to a scoreless tie versus the Westchester Flames and a 2-2 stalemate against the Long Island Rough Riders, respectively. With U.S. Open Cup qualifying coming to a conclusion on Monday, both Newark and Ocean City are Open Cup contenders, as the only two teams in the Northeast Division without a loss.

Ocean City forward Steve Miller was honored as PDL Player of the Week this week for his five goal, one assist weekend. He recorded a hat trick during the Barons 8-1 win over the New Jersey Rangers and a pair of goals in the 2-2 draw with Long Island.

Next up, the Future travel to face the Virginia Legacy before returning home to host the Hampton Roads Piranhas on Saturday, May 31st. The Future's next home game is the first leg of a doubleheader with the Pro Team at the University of Richmond Stadium, one week from Saturday.

The PDL is a blend of recent and current college stars, elite high school players, and savvy veterans producing an environment ideal for development, while allowing players to maintain their collegiate eligibility. The PDL is the highest level of amateur soccer in North America and is considered the first step to the professional ranks. Last year, 63 PDL players were selected in the Major League Soccer Draft including three from the Kickers Future.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 22, 2008


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