Kickers Lose in Battle

By Katie Mawyer

RICHMOND, VA – May 29, 2010 – The Richmond Kickers were back in action Saturday at 7 pm as they took on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The 3-1 Riverhound defeat over the Kickers marked the Kickers' second home loss this season. The Saturday night game marked the second meeting between the two clubs. In the first meeting, nearly a month ago, the two clubs played on Pittsburgh’s home turf in what ended in a 1-1 draw. The Kickers and Riverhounds play again on July 24.

Despite Memorial Day weekend, Kicker fans were of great number and included those of local Boy Scout troops, as the date was claimed “Scout Night.” The Kicker Kangaroo brought fans to their feet before the match was underway. The evening’s 80-degree weather contributed to fans’ high spirits. Four fans were chosen as the “Most Enthusiastic” and were awarded the best seat in the house, a field-side view of the game.

Early minutes brought back-and-forth action between the two teams. The Riverhounds took their first corner kick at three minutes; the kick was later followed by a center cross by forward Chad Severs in what gave Kicker goalkeeper Mark Murphy a save. The Kickers saw their first free kick at eight minutes; the ball quickly found its way into the hands of Riverhound goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap. Shortly after, nearing the 10-minute mark, Kicker forward Edson Elcock took a powerful shot just over the goal.

One minute later, Kicker midfielder Jonathan Villanueva attempted a point for the Kickers, which went wide right of the goal. Matthew Delicâte, the league leader in goals, missed a header attempt after 13 minutes. The Riverhounds followed with an attempt at the goal, in which midfielder Travis MacKenzie shot wide-left. The failed attempts maintained a scoreless game thus far.

At the 24-minute mark, Riverhound forward Lee Kouadio-Tobey was offsides just as he released the ball. One minute later, Kicker midfielder Luke Vercollone crossed to Delicâte; Delicâte attempted another header, shooting over the goal.

Kicker defender William Yomby went down after 27 minutes of play and exited the field. He reentered the match three minutes later.

The Kickers missed another attempt after 30 minutes of play. At the 32-minute mark, Delicâte nearly made the evening’s first goal as Riverhound goalkeeper Gilstrap struggled with handling the ball until gathering a firm grip for the save.

The Riverhounds made a change in the scoreboard at 36 minutes of play. A controversial foul call on Kicker midfielder Bobby Foglesong awarded the Riverhounds a penalty kick; Severs took the kick, scoring the evening’s first goal. Severs made another attempt at goal, two minutes later; however, his shot missed wide-left.

Kickers had another near-goal at the 45-minute mark. The half concluded after two minutes of stoppage time.

During the second half, after 54 minutes of play, Kicker midfielder Dave Hertel took a corner kick, which did not result in a goal. Both teams continued the battle to clinch a win. At the 68-minute mark, a yellow card on the Kickers put a pause to the momentum. They regained that energy two minutes later as forward Neil Barlow nearly made a goal, but Riverhound goalkeeper Gilstrap was quick for the save.

The action sparked at 76- minute mark when Riverhound forward Kouadio-Tobey sprinted to catch the rebound from a previous goal attempt; he shot on an open-net, giving the Riverhounds a 2-0 advantage over the Kickers. Kicker players Charlie Reiter and Edson Elcock were also caught in this rebound action.

The Kickers answered with their first goal of the evening just under two minutes later when Delicate scored, also off a rebound from defender Sascha Görres. One minute later, Kicker fans witnessed another near-attempt when several players competed for the ball inside the box.

The excitement continued on. After 85 minutes of play, Riverhound midfielder Thomas Gray altered the scoreboard for the fourth time of the evening. In what initially looked to be a save, Kicker goalkeeper Murphy dropped the ball and it rolled into the net.

Once again, the Kickers attempted to answer. Barlow nearly made a goal off of a cross from forward Jordan Evans; however, with only two minutes remaining in regulations, the scoreboard still read 3-1. Stoppage time did not award either team any additional goals.

The Richmond Kickers now hold a 17-8-7 record; they are still over Pittsburgh, despite the Saturday night loss. The Kickers (3-1-4) will return to UR Stadium next Saturday, June 5 at 7 PM to host the Charleston Battery. Tickets are available in advance via RichmondKickers.com.

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