USL1 Richmond Kickers

Richmond Opens 2021 Season at New England Saturday

Published on April 16, 2021 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Kickers (0-0-0) travel to Gillette Stadium this Saturday night, April 17 to open up the 2021 USL League One season against New England Revolution II (1-0-0). Kickoff for this match is set for 5:00 p.m. ET.

This match will be the third meeting between the two clubs as New England heads into their second season. The series is level at a win apiece after the two matches last season, both victories for the road team.

Richmond picked up the 2-1 victory the last time the team was at Gillette Stadium back on August 21, 2020. Matt Bolduc served up the assist on Emiliano Terzaghi's fourth goal of the season to open up the scoring for the Kickers in the 54th minute. Mayele Malango came off the bench for New England to level the score in the 71st minute. With eight minutes left in the match, Ian Antley dropped in a picture-perfect cross into the box to pick out Ryley Kraft at the back post for the game-winner.

Back at City Stadium on October 3, 2020, New England took a 4-0 win on the road. Orlando Sinclair put the visitors up 23 minutes into the match. Eight minutes later Nicolas Firmino converted from the penalty spot, giving the Revs the lead heading into the break. An own goal gave New England the three-goal lead in the 81st minute. Two minutes later, Damian Rivera found a fourth goal for the visitors.

Richmond has a solid core of 13 returning players to the squad, led by the 2020 USL League One MVP and Golden Boot Winner, Emiliano Terzaghi. The Argentine scored 10 goals in 15 matches in his first season with the club. Akira Fitzgerald is back for his third season with the club, also now filling the role of Goalkeeper Coach after posting a league-high 50 saves last season.

The Kickers will head into this match with 10 new faces putting on a Richmond shirt this season. A couple of key additions to the squad are forward Hernan Gonzalez and midfielder Zaca Moran. Since joining the club, Gonzalez has found the back of the net three times over the three preseason matches played. A product of the historic club River Plate, Moran has found his place during the preseason in command of the midfield for Richmond and assisting on two goals.

New England comes into this match after opening up their season last Saturday on the road at Fort Lauderdale CF, taking a 1-0 road win. Coming out of halftime scoreless, Hikaru Fujiwara set up Ryan Sierakowski for the lone goal of the match in the 50th minute. Former Kickers goalkeeper Joe Rice earned his first shutout of the season only having to make one save.

The 2021 Home Opener is coming up on April 24, and you need to be at City Stadium with your Kickers+ subscription. Kickers+ is a brand new subscription service for the 2021 season that provides fans tons of value, flexibility, and sweet perks! Sign up today for only $59.99 - Kickers+ benefits include 50% off tickets to any regular season home match, 15% off merchandise at shop.richmondkickers.com, exclusive digital content, member events, and more! Click here for more info and to join today!

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Match Information:

New England Revolution II vs Richmond Kickers

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.

Saturday, April 17 at 5:00 p.m.

Broadcast Information:

Internet: ESPN+

TV (Local): WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206/Verizon FiOS 466)

Radio (Spanish): WULT Ultra 94.1FM/1540AM

WTVR CBS 6 Players to Watch

Richmond Kickers

Emiliano Terzaghi (#32) won the USL League One Golden Boot last season scoring 10 goals in the league and playing 1,243 minutes. Coming into the league last season from Argentina, Terzaghi has added much firepower to the Kickers attack.

Hernan Gonzalez (#19) is a new Argentine international addition to the Kickers playing as a forward. He has already scored three goals in three matches with the team in preseason, linking up nicely with his fellow Argentines.

Zaca Moran (#6) completes the Argentine trifecta at Richmond. Recording two assists this preseason playing from the midfield, Zaca and his former River Plate experience will help link all phases of play for the Richmond Kickers.

New England Revolution II

Ryan Sierakowski (#99) opened the USL League One season by scoring not only the league's opening goal but his individual debut goal with the Revolution after just 50 minutes. Sierakowski has prior USL Championship experience having made over 33 appearances with Portland Timbers II, recording eight goals and two assists.

Hikaru Fujiwara (#53) started off the season registering his first assist with Sierakowski's finish. Fujiwara was competent in his midfield play finishing the game with a passing accuracy of 84.6% and recording 11 passes in the opposition's half. Fujiwara began playing for the Revolution Academy with the U-14 team.

Jake Rozhansky (#32) pushed forward through the center of the midfield with a passing accuracy of 87.5% in the opposition's half and completing 32 of 37 passes, including two key passes. He also made three interceptions and three blocks to finish off the match against Fort Lauderdale.

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United Soccer League One Stories from April 16, 2021


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