USL Fox Sports World Game of the Week
June 25, 2003 - A-League (A-League) News Release
Kickers v Mariners
This Friday's USL on Fox Sports World A-League match features the Richmond Kickers visiting the Virginia Beach Mariners in a battle of Southeast Division rivals at the Virgina Beach Sportsplex. It is the first of four meetings on the year between the two clubs and the opener of a home-and-home series that concludes in Richmond on Saturday night.
Richmond Kickers
The Kickers got off to a bit of a slow start at 2-4-1 but have rebounded and are unbeaten in their last six outings, five against Southeast Division opponents, and are now sitting second in the division with a mark of 6- 4-3.
Forward Kevin Jeffrey has been on a hot streak lately, recording three goals and two assists over the last four games and garnering A-League Player of the Week honors from the USL for his efforts. Forward Rob Ukrop has also been productive in that same span, notching two goals and one assist as the Kickers went 3-0-1.
Virginia Beach Mariners
The Mariners are one point back of Richmond with two games in hand. After a 4-1-0 start, Virginia Beach has struggled a bit at times. They were on a three-game winless streak before dominating the Atlanta Silverbacks in pair of matches at the Sportsplex. The Mariners played to a 0-0 draw in Syracuse last week to bring their current record to 6-3-2.
Forward Dante Washington leads the Mariners in points with 18 on eight goals and two assists. That point total also ties him for second in the A-League. Midfielder Pato Aguilera leads the league in assists with five. Teammate Roy Lassiter is second in the league with four assists.
HISTORY
The two clubs share a unique history in that they play an annual regional derby between the two called the James River Cup. The Mariners and Kickers will continue their quest for the sixth James River Cup during this weekends matches. The James River Cup is a results- based derby between Richmond and Virginia Beach. The team with the most points over the four game series (games to be played on 6/27, 6/28, 8/8 and 8/9) wins the Cup, which has been held by the Kickers since 1998 (the Mariners did not field a team in 1997 or 2001). The Kickers lead the all-time series with a record of 16-9-0, including their lone postseason encounter, a 2-1 Richmond overtime victory in the first round of 2000 playoffs.
• Discuss this story on the A-League message board...
A-League Stories from June 25, 2003
- USL Fox Sports World Game of the Week - A-League
- Hawks Set to Send Hounds to the Pound - Cincinnati Riverhawks
- Wave United Splits Pair at El Paso - Milwaukee Wave United
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
