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USL-1 Richmond Kickers

The British Are Back - Nottingham Forest Invades the U.S.

July 14, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, July 14, 2004) - The Richmond Kickers are pleased to host an international exhibition doubleheader this Friday, July 16th at the University of Richmond Stadium featuring the Washington Freedom (formerly of the WUSA) versus the Nottingham Forest Ladies at 4:30, followed by the Richmond Kickers versus Nottingham Forest of the English Nationwide Division One League at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are general admission and available for $14.00 per person through the Kickers office at (804) 644-KICK or at the gate on game day.

Nottingham Forest travels to the United States as a part of their preseason schedule, taking on D.C. United tonight. After the Kickers match on Friday, Nottingham Forest travels to Virginia Beach to take on the Mariners on July 20th.

"With storied Nottingham Forest coming and with the support of Capital One, we are hosting an event that gives back to the community and provides something new and exciting for Richmond," says Richmond Kickers President Tom Depcrynski. "We will have another great event for our fans and anyone who enjoys sports and I look forward to joining Mark [Arthur] and Nottingham Forest in developing a relationship for future endeavors."

Raging Rhinos Return To Richmond

Following this Friday's exhibition, Richmond (10-6-3, 33 points) will face two difficult matches in a row as the first place Rochester Raging Rhinos (11-4-1, 34 points) travel to Richmond. Looking to avenge an earlier season loss in Rochester, the Kickers will host the Rhinos on Sunday, July 18th and July 23rd at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. respectively at the University of Richmond Stadium. The first 500 fans though the gate will receive a "hackey sack" courtesy of Ukrop's.

Rochester will play back-to-back this weekend and next, playing Virginia Beach this Saturday and Richmond on Sunday. Next weekend, the Kickers return the favor by playing Rochester on Friday, prior to the Rhinos match at Virginia Beach on Saturday. Most recently, the Rhinos defeated the Charleston Battery after suffering two consecutive losses to Montreal. Rochester is currently leading a three-way tie for first place in the A-League, one point ahead of fourth-ranked Richmond.

The Kickers, winless in matches against Atlanta on the road and Syracuse at home, the Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium with a 3-2 overtime win over the Toronto Lynx (5-10-1, 16 points) this afternoon. Forward Kevin Jeffrey scored the game-winner in the 109th minute with an assist from David Hayes.

On Suspension

Richmond midfielder, Paul Lekics was ineligible to play in today's match against Toronto due to a red card suspension given last weekend in Atlanta. Lekics will return to the field for the Kickers next regular season home match against Rochester on Sunday.

Richmond Kickers Future/Richmond Kickers Destiny Update

The Richmond Kickers Future (PDL) and Richmond Kickers Destiny (W-League) staged a successful doubleheader at Cary Street Field last weekend, each recording a win over division rivals.

The Richmond Kickers Future dominated during the first part of the doubleheader, coming away with a 6-1 win over the Chesapeake Athletic Dragons. Future veterans Cristian Neagu and Matt Pauls proved to be a dangerous duo, each contributing to a domineering lead. Pauls scored a hat trick, while Neagu earned points with a goal and an assist. As a member of the Richmond Kickers Future's 2002 and 2003 squads, Neagu has played over 3,208 minutes with the Future, recording seven goals and four assists for 18 points. Pauls also returns to the roster this year with six goals and five assists (17 points) from the 2003 season under his belt.

After controversial calls led to a loss to the Northern Virginia Majestics on the road the night before, the Richmond Kickers Destiny shut out the Majestics by a margin of two goals to finish up the doubleheader. Forward Jenn Parsons recorded the game-winner, her ninth goal of the season, late in the first half while midfielder Dena Floyd clinched the victory in the 81st minute with her first goal this year.

Both the Richmond Kickers Future and Richmond Kickers Destiny will face opponents on the road before returning to Richmond for their last regular season home games. The Future will travel to the West Virginia Chaos on Friday before playing the first leg of a doubleheader with the A-League Richmond Kickers on Sunday, June 18th at 4:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium. After an intensive schedule away this week, facing the Hampton Roads Piranhas tonight, the Asheville Splash on Friday and the Charlotte Lady Eagles on Saturday, the Richmond Kickers Destiny will battle the Carolina Dynamo Women on Friday, July 23rd at 5:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium prior to the A-League Kickers match versus the Rochester Raging Rhinos at 8:00 p.m.

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics

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