USL-2 Semifinals Saturday At UR Stadium
Published on August 12, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, VA - (Tuesday, August 12, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers concluded the 2008 campaign with a regular season record of 14-4-2 and 44 points, good for a first-place tie in the USL Second Division, alongside the Charlotte Eagles (13-2-5, 44 points). Despite finishing with the most wins in the league, the Kickers narrowly missed claiming the Regular Season Champion title for the third consecutive year as the Eagles took the tiebreaker based on head-to-head games played. Going into the playoffs with the #2 seed, the Kickers received a First Round bye and will enter postseason play in the Semifinal round this Saturday, August 16th at 7:00 pm at the University of Richmond Stadium.
The top six teams qualified for the USL-2 playoffs, with the Kickers slated to face the winner of the #3 Cleveland City Stars versus #6 Western Mass Pioneers match, set to be played this Wednesday, August 13th. Top-seeded Charlotte will take on the winner of the #4 Crystal Palace Baltimore versus defending USL-2 Champion, #5 Harrisburg City Islanders in the other Semifinal match. The two Semifinal winners will advance to the USL-2 Championship match on Saturday, August 23rd at a host site to be determined by a bid process.
Over the past 15 seasons, Richmond has qualified for post-season play 13 times, including six league (seven overall) Championship appearances. The Kickers reached the league title match in 2007 for the fourth time in the past six seasons, narrowly missing their second consecutive league title after nine rounds of penalty kicks. Richmond's previous Championship appearances (1995, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2006) include winning the "Double" with the Premier League title and US Open Cup title in 1995, a shoot-out loss to Seattle in the USL First Division final in 2005 and taking the USL Second Division crown in 2006.
Last time out, the Richmond Kickers avenged an earlier season loss to Crystal Palace Baltimore on Saturday with a 5-0 roll to conclude the regular season. Forward David Bulow notched two goals and added an assist while Mike Burke recorded a goal and an assist. Midfielder Ralph Pace bolstered the scoreline when he converted a late penalty kick while Adrian Bumbut solidified the victory seconds later. Back-up goalkeeper Mark Murphy earned his first professional clean sheet, making four saves on the night and bringing his goalkeeper record to 4-0-0.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 12, 2008
- Palace Primed For Playoffs - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- It's Playoff Time: Stars To Host Western Mass Wednesday - Cleveland City Stars
- USL-2 Semifinals Saturday At UR Stadium - Richmond Kickers
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