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USL1 Richmond Kickers

Vinyals Named USL League One Week 1 Player of the Week; Fitzgerald, Payne and Terzaghi Named to Team of the Week

April 4, 2022 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - USL League One announced on Monday that Richmond Kickers' midfielder Nil Vinyals was named the Week 1 Player of the Week after notching two goals and an assist in front of over 4,000 fans in the team's home opener, Saturday night, against FC Tucson. Goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald, defender Stephen Payne, and forward Emiliano Terzaghi were named to the Team of the Week alongside Vinyals.

"My performance is a reflection of the team's progress from last year," Vinyals said. "I'm excited to be a part of the great culture created at this club throughout the past couple years and eager to work towards dominating games with the ball."

Vinyals had a career night in front of the City Stadium faithful, scoring his first two goals at home while combining for an assist on the Kickers' fourth goal of the night. A midfielder known for scoring outside-of-the-box goals prior to Saturday's match, Vinyals showed a new level of ruthlessness as he made penetrating runs, scoring both goals inside of the 18-yard-box.

In his post-match comments, the Spaniard credited his success in the danger area to the work he put in with Head Coach Darren Sawatzky and Head Assistant Coach Mika Elovaara in the preseason. Sawatzky seconded Vinyals' focus on elevating and evolving his game.

"We are happy Nil is recognized this week," Sawatzky said. "He worked incredibly hard this offseason and preseason, and the work culminated in a good performance with the team this past weekend."

This marks the second time Vinyals has been named as the league's player of the week while a member of the Kickers after he earned a POTW nod during week 9 of the 2021 season. It also marks the third time that Vinyals has made an appearance on the team of the week while in Richmond.

Joining Vinyals in earning the first weekly honors of the 2022 season are Terzaghi, Fitzgerald, and Payne. Terzaghi earned weekly honors eight times during the 2021 season while Fitzgerald was named four times. Payne earns his first weekly honor just days after making his debut for the club.

Terzaghi scored the first goal of the 2022 USL League One season when he put back a signature fox-in-the-box goal when the FC Tucson goalkeeper could only deflect a different shot on target. Fitzgerald notched six saves as the team opened the season with a clean sheet.

According to Sawatzky, it was a return to form for two leaders in the Kickers' dressing room who were 2021 USL League One First Teamers and the reigning league MVP and goalkeeper of the year, respectively.

"Emi found a goal and put in his regular hard-working shift for us," Sawatzky said. "Akira continues to make the saves when we need him most. Both of these players represent what we are all working towards here.

In an impressive debut, Payne assisted the second goal of the night and Vinyals' first when the defender played in a low-driven cross directly into the center of the box that Vinyals redirected with his left foot into the goal.

Payne added a strong defensive shift on top of his assist and earned praise from his coach for starting well for the Kickers.

"Stephen had some really good moments in the game dealing with very good attacking players, and he got forward well when needed," Sawatzky said. "It is great to have him with us in Richmond."

The Kickers return to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action for the first time since the 2019 season on Wednesday night when they travel north to face NoVa FC in Leesburg, Va for the tournament's second round. Kickoff at Virginia Revolution Sportsplex is slated for 8:00 p.m. The match will stream live on ESPN+. Then, the Roos are back at City Stadium, Saturday, April 9 to host Northern Colorado FC who will play their inaugural match in Richmond.

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