USL Richmond Kickers

US Open Cup Kicks Off Tuesday At Sports Backers Stadium

Published on June 6, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Friday, June 6, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers enter the First Round of the 2008 US Open Cup this Tuesday, June 10th, hosting the Fredericksburg Gunners of the Premier Development League at 8:00 pm at Sports Backers Stadium. Tickets are $10/adult and $5/youth (ages 3-17). Season ticket holders can purchase discounted tickets in advance for $5/each. Visit RichmondKickers.com to order tickets in advance.

The Richmond Kickers received an automatic berth into this year's tournament as the defending USL-2 Regular Season Champions. In total, forty teams enter the tournament, with eight entries per league across Major League Soccer, USL First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League (PDL) and United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The 2008 tournament marks the first time each league will have the same number of teams participating.

Meanwhile, the Fredericksburg Gunners enter the tournament, finishing first in the Eastern Conference after Open Cup qualifying ended on May 26th. The Gunners clinched a spot with a 2-0 victory over the Hampton Roads Piranhas, courtesy of two assists from Cameron Petty and shut out three other teams en route to the Open Cup berth. Eight teams total from the PDL are included, with the top two teams from each the Eastern and Central Conferences joining the best team from the Mid-South, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest divisions based on the standings of pre-determined league games through May 26th which double as Open Cup qualifiers.

Regular Season Records

The Kickers travel to Harrisburg tonight, June 6th, coming off a 2-1 loss in Charlotte on Tuesday. Richmond rallied back from a two goal deficit in the 83rd minute when forward Freddie Smith found the back of the net, minutes after entering the match. Despite offensive pressure in the final minutes, the Kickers could not find the equalizer, bringing home their second loss to the Eagles this season. Despite this week's loss, the Kickers are closing the gap between the league leaders, climbing to fourth place in the USL-2 standings with a 4-3-0 record and 12 points.

The Gunners currently lead the Mid-Atlantic Division and are ranked second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 4-1-0 and 12 points. They recently suffered their first loss of the season on a 2-1 decision against the Virginia Legacy last weekend. The Gunners are scheduled for a rematch against the Legacy, this Saturday, June 7th on the road.

Players to Watch

Kickers: A rookie out of Lee University, Stanley Nyazamba (#27) leads the Kickers with three goals and six points. He gave the Kickers an early lead over Wilmington last weekend and also responded to Charlotte's unbeaten streak with the Kickers only goal in their 1-0 win earlier last month. Nyazamba recorded the lone goal over the Western Mass Pioneers one week prior in a victory by the same scoreline, earning back-to-back USL-2 Team of the Week honors. Trevor McEachron (#25) earned USL-2 Player of the Week honors last week for his defensive efforts in the Kickers 1-0 win over Charlotte last month. Making three appearances with the Kickers so far this season, he has made an immediate defensive impact, including clearing two dangerous Charlotte shots off the goal line, leading the back line to consecutive shutouts. A former Jamaica National Premier League forward, Freddie Smith (#7) recorded his first goal in a Kickers uniform during this week's 2-1 loss in Charlotte. A Furman University product, midfielder Eliot Paschalis (#14) returned to the midfield last week after suffering an MCL strain that sidelined him for over a month. A native of London, England, Paschalis joined the Kickers out of the 2008 spring combine.

Gunners: Former Richmond Kickers Future (PDL) forward Matt Lacey (#8) garnered PDL All-Eastern Conference honors following the 2006 season when he led the Future in scoring with 10 goals and two assists. The Norwich, England native finished third with the Gunners last season, netting four goals and one assist for nine points. The stalwart defensive midfielder, Danny McGarry (#16), out of Liberty University was one of the team's leaders in minutes played during the 2007 campaign. So far this season, he has played every minute of every game, adding one assist. Forward Ryan Johnson (#9) currently leads the Gunners with two goals and one assist for five points, and was responsible for the lone tally during Fredericksburg 1-0 win over the Richmond Kickers Future earlier this season. Fredericksburg is led by former Richmond Kickers forward, Cristian Neagu, who was a member of the Kickers 2006 USL-2 Championship squad, recording four goals and two assists that season in 14 games played. Prior to joining the pro side, the native of Ploiesti, Romania made 59 appearances with the Richmond Kickers Future over four seasons, tallying 30 goals and 21 assists.

About the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which is recognized as U.S. Soccer's National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The tournament has crowned a champion for 94 consecutive years dating back to 1914.

The U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination tournament, with games tied after regulation being decided in two 15-minute overtime halves. If neither team scores during the overtime period, the winner is decided on penalty kicks. The team that advances the furthest from each level except Division I earns a $10,000 cash prize. The Open Cup runner-up takes home $50,000, while the champion collects $100,000. The winner will have their team's name engraved on the historic Dewar Challenge Trophy, the oldest trophy in American team sports that is housed in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.

Richmond Kickers and the Open Cup

The 2008 season marks the 10th time the Richmond Kickers have qualified for the U.S. Open Cup over the past 14 seasons and hold an overall record of 15-8 during tournament play. The Kickers claimed the U.S. Open Cup title the first year of the "Professional Era" in 1995 and have since made it to the quarterfinal round four times (1995, 2001, 2004, 2007), ousting three Major League Soccer teams along the way (Colorado Rapids 2000, DC United 2004, LA Galaxy 2007). With 54 total goals scored during the Open Cup, the Kickers set several franchise records as well as a Professional Era U.S. Open Cup record for most goals (12) during the 8-4 rout over the Ocean City Barons in 2005. For all of the up-to-the-minute action, visit www.USOpenCup.com.

Next Home Game

Richmond returns to regular season action the following weekend, hosting the Bermuda Hogges on Saturday, June 14th at 7:00 pm at the University of Richmond Stadium. Celebrate "Score With Reading!" Night with the Kickers as they honor the students who achieved their reading goals through the Kickers "Score With Reading!" program. In addition, the first 100 activated Pro Pass holders through the gate will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of Eurosport. Visit RichmondKickers.com for all ticket information.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 6, 2008


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