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USL Richmond Kickers

Richmond Kickers' Unbeaten Streak Ends after 3-0 Road Loss to Charlotte

May 8, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC. - After an early goal by Charlotte and a red card to Richmond defender Alex Lee, the Kickers fell to Charlotte Independence 3-0 on the road at Eagle Stadium Friday evening, following a goal and assist by Charlotte forwards Ryan Finley and Marlon Hairston.

Both teams battled in the midfield for much of the opening minutes of the first half but it would the teamwork of Charlotte's Finley and Hairston that broke the scoreless tie. During the 25th minute, a Richmond turnover became a Charlotte offensive attack as Hairston was able to swing the ball to Finley on the right wing as he drove on goal.

Entering the Kickers' 18-yard box, Finley was able fire off a quick rising shot on goal, beating Richmond goalkeeper Travis Worra high in the upper left corner of the goal, giving the Independence an early 1-0 lead.

Richmond tried to answer with a goal of their own minutes later after midfielder George Davis IV was able to save the ball from going out of play and sending an aerial cross to fellow midfielder Eli Garner in the heart of the Charlotte penalty box. Garner directed a shot on goal off the head but a late deflection ended the Kickers' scoring threat.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Richmond defender Lee was issued a red card and ejected from the game after committing foul on Charlotte midfielder Alex Martinez, leaving Richmond down to ten players on the field for the remainder of the match.

Once players returned to the pitch for the second half, the offense of Charlotte continued to make their presence known through the match, scoring only two minutes into the second half. The Independence's Jorge Herrera sent a powerful cross through the Richmond back field, finding Patrick Slogic inside the Richmond zone, who fired a shot into the back of the net, extending Charlotte's lead by two in the 47th minute.

Minutes later, Charlotte was able to break free of the Richmond defense thanks to the efforts of Finley and Hairston. After tallying one goal in the early moments of the second half, Finley sent a ground pass to Hairston, who challenged Worra one-on-one in the 50th minute, beating the Richmond goalkeeper over his left shoulder, pushing Charlotte's lead to three goals over Richmond.

Despite several late challenges by the Kickers in the closing stages of the match, Richmond was held goalless, giving Charlotte a 3-0 win over Richmond. The outcome was the reverse of the team's first meeting on April 18 at City Stadium, where the Kickers won 3-0 over the Independence. This is the first loss for Richmond in the 2015 USL campaign, giving the Kickers a record of four wins, one loss, and three draws, for a total 15 points the Eastern Conference.

The Kickers will continue their road trip on Saturday, May 18 when they face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium. On Monday, May 20, the Kickers return home to City Stadium for second-round action in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Richmond resume USL competition on Saturday May 23 at City Stadium when they go up against the Charleston Battery. Tickets are available online at RichmondKickers.com.

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