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Richmond Kickers

Richmond ousted from 2005 Open Cup

August 3, 2005 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


Richmond, VA - The Richmond Kickers' 2005 U.S. Open Cup run came to an end tonight as they were ousted, 3-1, in the Fourth Round by MLS Cup Champion D.C. United in front of a season-high crowd of 8,412. D.C. United forward and teen soccer sensation, Freddy Adu, recorded the first goal of the night and an assist, while teammate Christian Gomez tallied two goals to lead the Red-and-Black past the Richmond USL First Division club. Richmond forward McColm Cephas scored Richmond's lone goal, an equalizer at the time in the 68th minute; however United goalkeeper Troy Perkins made several big saves in the second half to preserve United's victory.

In the 16th minute, Adu created a dangerous chance when he danced around two defenders and sent a 25-yard rocket inches over the crossbar. Ten minutes later, he was the first to put points on the board when he received the ball from forward Santino Quaranta just outside the box. He sent a low shot on goal, which ricocheted off the right upright, crossed the goal line and bounced into the left side of the net.

Later, in the 35th minute, Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was forced to make several heroic saves. Quaranta sent a 22 yard-strike, driving Pascale to lay out for the save, followed by a similar stop seconds later on a shot by midfielder Dema Kovalenko.

D.C. United kept up the offensive pressure after the second-half restart as Kovalenko made two dangerous plays in the 47th and 49th minutes, forcing Pascale to make a leaping save and then sending the ball just over the crossbar.

The Kickers retaliated in the 58th minute when Burke curled the ball into the box directed towards forward Kevin Jeffrey. United goalkeeper Troy Perkins made a leaping save in the congestion and pulled the ball down for the save.

Kickers forward midfielder McColm Cephas tallied his fourth U.S. Open Cup goal of the season with the equalizer in the 69th minute. Streaking down the left side, Cephas got around the last defender and was left one-on-one with Perkins who came out to challenge. With an inside-the-foot strike, Cephas put the ball into the upper right corner of the net.

The 1-1 stalemate was broken in the 75th minute when a foul called on Richmond defender Tony Williams inside the box resulted in a United penalty kick. Forward Christian Gomez capitalized on the opportunity and recorded the second D.C. goal of the game.

Gomez registered again in the 81st minute when he was left open on the ride side after receiving a cross from Adu. He side-volleyed a low shot into the left corner of the net, clinching United's U.S. Open Cup victory.

The Richmond Kickers return to regular season action this Sunday, August 7th as they host west-coast rival Vancouver Whitecaps at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a soccer beach ball courtesy of Ukrop's.

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