USL-1 Richmond Kickers

Richmond Kickers Host D.C. United In Fourth Round

Published on July 20, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, July 20, 2004) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to host D.C. United (MLS) in the fourth round of the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. The winner of tomorrow's match will advance to the quarter final round and will host either Columbus Crew or Chicago Fire, both of MLS on August 4th.

The Kickers last met D.C. United on April 5, 2003 in a pre-season exhibition match at the University of Richmond Stadium. A goal from former Kicker, David Testo, now on loan to the Columbus Crew (MLS), led to a 1-1 draw with D.C. United last year.

"This is going to be a great night for Richmond soccer," says Richmond Kickers Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw. "The vast majority of people expect us to have no chance against D.C. United and we will be doing everything we can to prove them wrong."

Dating back to 1914, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in United States soccer and is among the oldest in the world. Open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States, it is the domestic cup competition that gives any affiliated team in the United States a chance at winning the title of "United States Cup Champions." The Kickers were crowned the U.S. Open Cup Champions in 1995 (prior to the inception of Major League Soccer).

Players To Watch

Richmond: Rookie forward Matthew Delicâte is currently leading the Kickers in goals (6) and points (16) and is ranked eighth in the A-League in points. Fellow rookie and former-VCU star McColm Cephas has recently become the Kickers second-leading scorer with four goals and four assists, for 12 points. He is now ranked 17th in the A-League standings for points. Joey Worthen continues to make solid plays in the midfield and is third on the team in points (11) with five goals and one assist.

D.C. United: Selected by D.C. United in the first round of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, fifteen-year old soccer phenom Freddy Adu is currently tied for fourth in scoring with two goals and one assist (5 points) while former University of Virginia standout Alecko Eskandarian is the second leading scorer for D.C. United with six goals and 12 points. Goalkeeper Troy Perkins, a rookie out of the University of Evansville, is ranked fifth in MLS for his goals against average of 1.22.

Rochester Returns

Following tomorrow night's Open Cup challenge, the Richmond Kickers (10-7-3, 33 points) will again face the Rochester Raging Rhinos (12-5-1, 37 points) on Friday, July 23rd at 8:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. The Kickers look to avenge a disappointing 1-0 loss last weekend when the Rhinos first visited the University of Richmond Stadium. Rochester currently resides in first place in the A-League standings, four points ahead of fourth-ranked Richmond. Complimentary youth tickets (ages 3-17) are available on the web at www.RichmondKickers.com, courtesy of Modern Woodmen of America. The Richmond/Rochester match will be televised LIVE on Fox Sports World.

Richmond Kickers Future/Richmond Kickers Destiny Update

The Richmond Kickers Future ended the 2004 regular season with a 5-2 win over first-place Carolina Dynamo last Sunday. The Future dominated the field, with three goals before the 40th minute. Forward Cristian Neagu led the Future to victory with a hat trick, while both Adam Cristman and Simon Toselli recorded a goal and an assist.

The top two teams from each division in the Premier Development League advanced for post-season play. The Future concluded the 2004 season in third place; two points out of playoff position.

The Richmond Kickers Destiny return to Richmond this weekend for the final regular season match this year, upon returning from three consecutive games on the road. The Destiny were able to tie the Asheville Splash 1-1 on Friday before suffering a 5-4 defeat to the Charlotte Lady Eagles last Saturday. Forward Jenn Parsons has earned points in 10 out of 13 games played this season and led the Destiny last week in Charlotte with a hat trick and an assist.

The Destiny will face the Carolina Dynamo Women for the third and final time this regular season on Friday, July 23rd at 5:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium.

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics

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USL First Division Stories from July 20, 2004


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