Kickers Host 12th Annual Player Tryouts

RICHMOND, VA - February 17, 2010 – Over 100 players will attend the Richmond Kickers 12th Annual Player Combine this weekend, February 19-21 at the Kickers state-of-the-art sports complex, Ukrop Park. This same facility is among those being considered as a team base camp in the USA bid for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup. 

Players representing 18 countries from around the world, including the U.S., Paraguay, Ivory Coast, Italy, Ecuador, Nigeria, Jamaica, Cameroon, Mexico, Argentina, England, Trinidad & Tobago, Bolivia, Liberia, Togo, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Belgium and Peru will participate in three days of intense training, including small-sided games, speed testing and full-sided matches. 

“The Pro Combine is the most important event of the year for identifying players,” explains Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer and Head Coach.  “We typically sign two-three players from this event and it has proven to be a valuable resource for the coaching staff.  This year, we expect a high level of play with participants traveling from around the globe to try and secure a professional contract with the Kickers.”

A product of the Kickers 2004 combine, D.C. United midfielder Clyde Simms spent one season in Richmond before being recognized by D.C. United of Major League Soccer and the U.S. Men’s National Team.  Simms appeared in 31 games for 2,571 minutes with the Kickers and started more games than any other rookie that season (28).  An instrumental part of the midfield, the Jamestown, N.C. native recorded three goals, two of which were game-winners and was the only rookie to be named to the USL First Division Team of the Week twice. 

“Richmond was the first pro team that I played for, playing with the caliber guys that they had there at the time,” commented Simms.   “The team was great – the staff and players were very welcoming and professional.  I was able to get a good amount of playing time there, which was huge for my development and being able to make it to the next level.” 

Past Kickers trials have also produced such prominent players as Tim Brown, who will captain the New Zealand National Team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa as well as Sascha Görres (Richmond Kickers Five-Year Standout), Ronnie Pascale (Three-time USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year) and Robert Ssejjemba (2006 USL-2 MVP and Ugandan National Team). 

In franchise history, 22 players have progressed from the Richmond Kickers into Major League Soccer.  Former Kickers players who have advanced to MLS include Mike Clark (Columbus Crew), Dwayne DeRosario (Houston Dynamo), Brian Kamler (D.C. United, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution), Brian Bates (Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn), Scott Budnick (Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny), Jeff Causey (New England Revolution, D.C. United), Ben Crawley (D.C. United), Ted Gillen (NY/NJ Metrostars), Gary Glasgow (Kansas City Wizards), Onandi Lowe (Kansas City Wizards), Mike McGinty (D.C. United), Mark Simpson (D.C. United), Todd Yeagley (Columbus Crew), Ihor Dotsenko (Kansas City Wizards), Rob Ukrop (New England Revolution), Richie Williams (D.C. United, NY/NJ Metrostars), David Testo (Columbus Crew), Clyde Simms (D.C. United), Joey Worthen (Real Salt Lake), Robert Ssejjemba (D.C. United), Ricky Schramm (New York Red Bulls) and Stanley Nyazamba (Columbus Crew).

More News

Richmond Wrap-Up Home