Kickers Grasp Independence Win

By Katie Mawyer

RICHMOND, VA – July 3, 2010 – The Richmond Kickers were back in regular season action as they hosted Charleston Battery in a Saturday afternoon match. The one o’clock match marked the third meeting between the two clubs in three weeks and ended in a 2-0 win for the Kickers. Richmond defeated Charleston 3-1 at home on June 5 before losing to the Battery 4-1 a week later on the road. The clubs will meet again on July 9 when the Kickers travel to Charleston for the fourth match.

The holiday weekend weather was pleasant and brought temperatures in the 80s. Loyal Kicker fans came out for the day and enjoyed several forms of entertainment brought in by loyal businesses in honor of the “Independence Day Bash” held at UR Stadium. Fans participated in moon bounces, dunking booths, and slides while indulging in cool summer treats of ice cream and shaved ice.

To continue with the holiday theme, KickerRoo searched for red, white, and blue. He found ‘The Most Patriotic Fans’ and those lucky few were awarded with the traditional prize of field-side seats.

Richmond received its first free kick just three minutes into the game. Kicker defense was sharp and fought several balls that beckoned their territory. The Battery was called offsides twice within two minutes and the defense continued to push forward.

Kicker midfielder Luke Vercollone took a shot on goal 16 minutes into the game. Charleston goalie Tim Melia saved the shot, which resulted in a corner kick for Richmond. One minute later, a cross from the right side of the field by Kicker defender Stephen Nsereko resulted in handball by Battery defender Nigel Marples; Marples received a yellow-card for the contact and the match continued.

The scoreboard changed to read 1-0 during the 21st minute of play when Kicker forward Matthew Delicâte assisted fellow forward Edson Elcock who was credited with the goal.  

After 30 minutes of play, Vercollone took another shot for the Kickers; however, Charleston’s Melia made the save. Moments later, the Battery’s Caleb Norkus missed an opportune free kick. A shot by Kicker’s Sasha Görres went just over the goal during stoppage time. The Battery was called offsides twice more before the first half concluded, with the Kickers taking a one-goal advantage over the Battery to the locker room.

Kicker affiliates held a hula-hoop contest on the field during half time in which a crowd of kids battled for the Hula Champion title. Music assisted the kids as they hula-hooped, and one-by-one they were eliminated for failing to hula and follow specific instructions. Lori Anderson was crowned winner and awarded with a prize pack.

And the fun wasn’t over yet. A Sumo-Soccer match took place next; two parents battled it out until one scored a goal for the win and a $100 gift certificate, compliments of Moon Bounce. The traditional Frisbee toss took place just before the second half got underway.

The second half saw early action when Richmond’s Delicâte missed an early shot on goal. At the 50-minute mark, a foul against Richmond was whistled at the top of the box; the Battery received a free kick after a yellow-card for Richmond’s Nsereko. Charleston’s free kick flew over the bar and the action continued on.

Battery goalkeeper Melia made several saves within the half. Richmond’s Delicâte was just wide on a shot after 58 minutes of play. One minute later, Elcock almost racked up his second goal for the day, but just missed the free kick.

After 65 minutes of game action, Tom Heinemann’s shot for the Battery went wide after a deflection from the Kickers. The Battery’s corner kick sailed just over the goal, and moments later Charleston took another wide shot.

Kicker goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale had a close call near the 74th minute; however, he managed to make the clean save. The Battery made their fifth, and final, substitution after 83 minutes. Minutes later, Melia saved Delicâte’s header attempt. The attempt sparked more enthusiasm with Richmond fans and a chant of “let’s go Kickers” hummed across the crowd.

And the chanting seemed to help.

In the 91st minute of play Richmond’s Vercollone took an attempt from the goal line and Melia went for the save. After two more attempts to kick the ball in the net, Melia’s deflection placed the ball in the center of the box near Kicker midfielder Gerson DosSantos, and that would set up the shot for the second goal of the match.
With Richmond now holding a 2-0 advantage over Charleston, four minutes of stoppage time was added to the half and the score would not change.

Richmond recently came off of a run at the U.S. Open Cup in which the club played two games per week. Richmond’s play in the Cup ended when MLS team D.C. United defeated the Kickers 2-0. The Kickers also took on Crystal Palace Baltimore and the Real Maryland Monarchs in the Cup before losing to D.C. Charleston also saw action in the U.S. Open Cup; most recently the Battery defeated the Chicago Fire after a penalty kick shoot out which ended 3-0.

The Kickers now hold an 18-17-4 series advantage over Charleston Battery. The Kickers will return to UR Stadium on July 24 when they take on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The Saturday match will be the third between the two clubs; May 29 the Kickers fell to the Riverhounds in a 3-1 match. Tickets for the July 24 match can be purchased in advance via RichmondKickers.com.

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