USL Richmond Kickers

Richmond Kickers Destiny Open Season Sunday

Published on May 15, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


Richmond, VA - (Thursday, May 15, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers Destiny open their fifth season this Sunday, May 18th, hosting the expansion franchise Carolina RailHawks at 6:00 pm at First Market Stadium, on the campus of the University of Richmond. Sunday's Destiny match doubles as the second leg of a doubleheader with the Richmond Kickers Future (PDL), who kick off at 3:00 pm against the Fredericksburg Gunners.

The RailHawks are one of 10 new W-League teams in 2008 and one of eight Atlantic Division opponents slated to face the Destiny this season, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Jesse Myers. The Destiny finished second in the Atlantic Division in 2007 with a franchise high 9-3-1 record. Qualifying for post-season play for the second time in the team's four year history, the Destiny suffered a heartbreaking 4-2 overtime loss to the host team, Minnesota Lightning, during the Central Conference Semifinals. Over the last four seasons, the Richmond Kickers Destiny have compiled an overall record of 30-23-4.

"I am looking forward to coaching a new corps of players and to getting the season started," comments Myers. "We have a lot of young players who are eager to play with and against some of the nation's best players. The league is drastically improving with teams like Carolina, who are drawing college and youth players from the top soccer schools in the country. We are looking forward to a challenging season in 2008"

Carolina is led by head coach Jay Howell, Director of Coaching for the Capital Area Soccer League and opened their inaugural season on the road with a 2-0 decision over local rivals Carolina Dynamo last weekend. Forward Casey Nogueira made an immediate impact with the first-year team, notching a goal and an assist on defender Thori Bryan's tally. Nogueira earned W-League Player of the Week honors for her efforts.

Prior to Sunday's match-up in Richmond, the RailHawks will first host their season home opener on Friday, May 16th, facing the Atlanta Silverbacks. The Destiny are slated to host a three-game home stand, including the Charlotte Lady Eagles (Saturday, May 24th) and Atlanta Silverbacks (Monday, May 26th) before a road trip to Florida at the end of the month.

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.

W-League Playoffs

The W-League Eastern Conference playoffs open with a Divisional Round between the second and third-place teams in the Northeast Conference hosted by the higher seed. The winner of the Divisional Round will advance to the conference tournament, to be held July 25th-27th, with the regular season Northern Division champion and the top two teams from the Atlantic Division. The top seeds will play the lower seeds from the opposite division in the conference semifinals. The conference champion will advance to the W-League Championship Tournament, to be held August 1st-3rd. The regular season conference champion will have the first right to host the conference tournament if they met the pre-established hosting requirements. The W-League Championship host is determined via a bid process with the host team receiving a bye to the W-League Semifinals on August 1st.

About Head Coach Jesse Myers

Myers joined the Richmond Kickers as the Assistant Coach of the professional team in 1997 and has since helped the organization compile an overall record of 183-101-44 over the past 11 seasons. Myers became Head Coach of the Richmond Kickers Destiny prior to the 2005 campaign, leading the team to the Central Conference Finals in 2006 and Central Conference Semifinals in 2007. His extensive coaching experience began at the collegiate level in 1987 at Limestone College and extends to Spartanburg Methodist College, University of North Carolina - Charlotte and Philadelphia Textile University. Additionally, Myers directs a college guidance program that he implemented for the club to assist in the college recruiting process for the U-16 through U-18 age groups. He holds a USSF "B" License and a NSCAA Premier Diploma.

Richmond Kickers Future Host Fredericksburg Gunners

The Richmond Kickers Future return to action this Sunday, May 18th at 3:00 pm when they host local rival Fredericksburg Gunners at First Market Stadium, on the campus of the University of Richmond.

The Gunners enter their second year in the PDL after finishing their inaugural season mid-table in the Mid-Atlantic Division standings with a record of 7-7-2 and 23 points, four points ahead of the Future. Richmond and Fredericksburg split the series 1-1 last season, each picking up three points at home. Fredericksburg has yet to play a game this season after inclement weather forced the Gunners to reschedule their home opener last weekend. The Future's I-95 rivals will open the season this Thursday, May 15th against the Northern Virginia Royals.

Meanwhile, the Future came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to tie the Rhode Island Stingrays last Saturday in Richmond. Player/assistant coach Andy McIntosh notched a goal and an assist to level the score within five minutes of the second-half restart. Virginia Commonwealth University transfer Jake Van Yahres was responsible for the Future's first goal of the night while defender Dirk Dittrich and fellow VCU product assisted on McIntosh's game-winner.

Fredericksburg is led by former Richmond Kickers forward, Cristian Neagu. Neagu was a member of the Kickers 2006 USL-2 Championship squad, recording four goals and two assists that season in 14 games played. Prior to joining the pro side, the native of Ploiesti, Romania made 59 appearances with the Richmond Kickers Future over four seasons, tallying 30 goals and 21 assists. In his final season with the Future, he led the team to a 12-2-2 record and the Eastern Conference title in 2005.

After Sunday's match, the Future take to the road for a back-to-back stretch against Newark and Ocean City late next week before returning home to host the Hampton Roads Piranhas on Saturday, May 31st.

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