Richmond Kickers News Release - www.richmondkickers.com
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
RICHMOND, VA -- The Richmond Kickers are halfway through their six-game road stand and are headed into a holiday match-up against the Real Maryland Monarchs on Friday, July 4th before a trip to Bermuda to play the Hogges on Sunday, July 6th. The Kickers homecoming is slated for Saturday, July 12th when they host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Gifts For Gulu Night.
The Kickers meet the expansion club in Maryland for the first time this season and are set to host the Monarchs on July 26th. Meanwhile, the Kickers hold a 3-0-0 record over the sophomore club in Bermuda, most recently topping the Hogges 4-1 in Richmond on June 14th. After picking up four points during last weekend’s road contests, the Kickers have leapfrogged into fourth place in the USL-2 standings with a 6-4-2 record and 20 points. The Monarchs and the Hogges reside mid-table with records of 3-6-1, 10 points and 3-8-0, 9 points respectively.
USL-2 Team of the Week
This week’s USL-2 Team of the Week boasted three Kickers players after last weekend’s road success. Defender Trevor McEachron earned the honors for leading the Richmond defense to their sixth shutout on the season in Cleveland before solidifying the backline during the Kickers 3-1 win in Pittsburgh. Midfielder Adrian Bumbut was honored for assisting on two of the Kickers three goals in Pittsburgh, posting his first points of the season. Meanwhile, forward Ricky Schramm returned, on loan from the New York Red Bulls, to supplement the Kickers attack and notched a goal to open the night for his former club. Bermuda placed midfielder Keishan Bean on the Team of the Week as well. Bean’s goal in the 19th minute gave the Hogges an early lead over league-leading Charlotte last week but the Eagles were able to level the score with just three minutes remaining in regulation.
Kickers versus Monarchs
Maryland is currently on a five-game slide and are thirsty for victory as they enter this weekend’s holiday match-up. The Monarchs sit 11 points behind the Kickers in the standings and are winless since a 3-2 upset over Cleveland on May 17th and a 2-1 win over the Wilmington Hammerheads the following week. Most recently, Maryland dropped a narrow, 2-1, decision to local rivals Crystal Palace Baltimore. Leading scorer Nilson Perez tallied the lone goal for Maryland to level the score three minutes after Baltimore’s first strike but the score did not remain equal for long into the second half. The Monarchs prepare for a two-game weekend as well, hosting the Harrisburg City Islanders on Sunday, July 6th.
Kickers versus Hogges
The Kickers and the Hogges swap home field advantage this weekend after the June 14th fixture in Richmond. Richmond outscored Bermuda 6-0 during the 2007 campaign, and opened this year’s series with a 4-1 win. The two teams entered a one-hour lightning delay, tied at one apiece but the Kickers unleashed a flurry of goals in the second half to top the Hogges. Bermuda midfielder Lashun Dill recorded his first goal of the season when he connected with last year’s USL-2 Rookie of the Year Stephen Astwood. Kickers midfielder Ian Bennett struck first for Richmond before a second half outbreak of three goals in a span of 10 minutes were registered from all angles by forward David Bulow, defender Trevor McEachron and midfielder Luke Vercollone. Captain Mike Burke added two assists to swing the momentum in favor of the home side, earning USL-2 Player of the Week honors that week for his efforts.
Back-To-Back-To-Back
The Kickers are coming off three games played in four days after a pair of regular season games over the weekend, followed by US Open Cup Third Round contest against the New England Revolution earlier in the week. Despite the hectic schedule, the Kickers were able to pick up four points over the weekend thanks to a scoreless draw in Cleveland last Saturday before a 3-1 win in Pittsburgh Sunday. The Kickers defense, lead by goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale, posted their sixth shutout (overall) this season in Cleveland. Pascale gave way to backup goalkeeper Mark Murphy who narrowly missed a second shutout in Pittsburgh, courtesy of a last-minute penalty kick converted by the Riverhounds. Murphy recorded his first win as a professional goalkeeper on Sunday and made his first start of the season. On loan from the New York Red Bulls, Ricky Schramm returned to add firepower for his former team, and opened scoring against the Riverhounds with a 30th minute tally. The 21st Kickers player to advance to MLS, Schramm finished fourth in scoring with Richmond during his rookie season in 2007 on seven goals and two assists for 16 points overall and signed a developmental contract with the Red Bulls following the USL-2 campaign. Defender Anthony Catalano netted his second goal of the season while leading scorers David Bulow and Stanley Nyazamba connected for the third and final mark on the weekend.
US Open Cup Update
This year’s US Open Cup run ended for Richmond in New Britain, Connecticut on Tuesday night when the Kickers surrendered a 3-0 loss to the defending Champions New England Revolution. After a two-hour lightning delay, the Kickers held the Revs scoreless for the first half and created several dangerous chances as the two teams battled to break the ice. New England did not wait long into the second half and opened fire within the 46th minute on a tally by Sam Brill. After a missed equalizer in the 55th minute, the Kickers could not rally back from two unanswered goals by Joe Germanese and Taylor Twellman.
