Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Monday, February 14, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. –– The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that midfielder Stanley Nyazamba will return to Richmond for the 2011 season, pending USSF and Visa approval.
“It is our pleasure to welcome Stanley back to Richmond,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “He made an immediate impact in his brief time with us in 2008 and I know he is eager to make a similar impact second time around. Our fans loved Stanley's style, passion and enthusiasm for the game and there is no doubt Kickers fans will be excited about his return.”
Named 2008 USL-2 Rookie of the Year, Nyazamba quickly became one of the Kickers top scorers, tallying eight goals and two assists overall for 18 points. Picking up Team of the Week honors on two occasions, he concluded his rookie campaign third on the team in scoring, and finished in the top 10 in goals and points in the league. Following the Kickers 2008 campaign, Nyazamba became the 22nd Kicker to advance to Major League Soccer, signing a developmental contract with the Columbus Crew. Most recently, the native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe spent the 2010 season with the NASL side FC Tampa Bay where he posted over 1,000 minutes in 25 appearances, adding two assists.
Drafted in the second round of the 2008 Major Indoor Soccer League College Draft by the now-defunct Detroit Ignition, Nyazamba joined the Kickers professional squad upon graduating from Lee University of the NAIA Conference. The three-time All-Conference First Team honoree earned a place on the 2007 All-American First Team and was named a NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete his senior season. During his tenure at Lee, the Flames posted a record of 53-14-2 and made two NAIA National Tournament appearances. Adding 12 goals and 20 assists his senior year, the 6’1” midfielder finished with 28 goals and 44 points over three seasons, eclipsing the All-Time Assists Leader at Lee University with 60 assists overall.
Reserve your 2011 Season Passes and join the Richmond Kickers when they open the USL PRO campaign, hosting Orlando City on Saturday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium. Taking the field for their 19th season, the Kickers will compete alongside American Division rivals Charlotte Eagles, Charleston Battery, Orlando City and Wilmington Hammerheads and will also face National and International opponents Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, FC New York, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos, Antigua Barracuda FC, Los Angeles Blues, Puerto Rico United and Sevilla FC Puerto Rico of the 24-game season. Visit RichmondKickers.com for schedules and ticket information.
"We are excited to have the Virginia Beach Piranhas here in our home town," said Ron Kuhlman, Vice President of Tourism Marketing and Sales for the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. "They are a great organization and we are looking forward to a very successful inaugural 'Virginia Beach' season this year."
Charleston Battery head coach and GM, Mike Anhaeuser said, “Cole has a lot of youth international experience and will look to make a stamp on our midfield right away. He should bring a lot of quality to the middle and we look forward to his debut with the Battery organization and with the team.”
“I grew up playing almost every sport,” said the 5-foot-10 athlete from Manhattan Beach, Calif. Soccer, however, was the one sport that stuck and it has been a lifelong goal to play professionally.
As a member of the Islanders, the 24-year old native of Trinidad and Tobago helped Puerto Rico to the 2008 USL First Division regular season title and a trip to the semifinals of the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League. In addition he helped the Islanders capture the 2010 USSF D2 Pro League championship with a 3-1 win on aggregate over the Carolina RailHawks.
“Centennial High School not only is a great venue in terms of facilities, but its backdrop of the mountains and surrounding communities makes it a family-friendly environment,” said Blues Associate Head Coach and Director of Youth Operations Shayon Jalayer.
Also new to the W-League in 2011 are the Fredericksburg Impact and Washington FC, while the Hampton Roads Piranhas have become the Virginia Beach Piranhas.
Each of the 11 U.S.-based USL PRO teams will receive a spot in the storied tournament, as will nine qualifiers from the Premier Development League. The remainder of the field will be filled by eight teams from MLS and 12 additional amateur qualifiers.
In 2010, Braun and Gleeson guided the Timbers U-23s to a record-setting season in United Soccer Leagues’ Premier Development League (PDL) and the league’s championship. The Timbers U-23s became the PDL’s first undefeated league champion at 20-0-0 in the league’s 15-year history.
"I am extremely honored and privileged to be associated with the new ownership group,” Hamilton Lady Avalanche founding owner Valdi Greco said. “This group has worked extremely hard over the past few months in bringing the Avalanche to a different level by expanding on the men’s side. The combined new franchise, Hamilton FC, will be something to be proud of."
Nine new teams have joined the PDL for 2011, including the Akron Metro FC Summit Assault, Fredericksburg Hotspur, Hamilton FC Rage, FC Jax Destroyers, North Sound SeaWolves, RGV Grandes, River City Rovers and WSA Winnipeg. Also new to the PDL for 2011 are the Real Maryland Monarchs, who spent their three previous seasons in the USL Second Division.
Originally from Chernivtsi, Ukraine, Budnyy led the Azusa Pacific University Men’s soccer team to two Golden State Athletic Conference titles, one Region II title, and the National NAIA Final his senior year. The forward was also named GSAC Player of the Year.
Jose Ignacio Larraga is business owner in the Rio Grande Valley who has spent the past 28 years involved in various media ventures. He is also the owner of a new television network set to launch in the Rio Grande Valley. Robinson Larraga brings his experience and dedication in running the family business operations, and he is the President of Suenos Y Talentos, which was established in 2007 and has become known as “the biggest soccer event in Texas.”
“I am greatly honored by this nomination,” Marcos said. “To be considered for this honor in the Builders category is a very humbling experience for me.”
The 2011 home kit, modeled by Keiron Bernard and Jamie Waton, is a white jersey with red accents. The badge is placed on left side, just over the heart. The shorts are also white with numbers on the right leg. The uniform is completed by red socks.
Philadelphia was reduced to 10 men early in the game when Carlos Valdes brought down Orlando’s Max Griffin just outside the penalty area. Valdes was shown a red card for denying a goal scoring opportunity, changing the tone of the game quickly. On the resulting free kick, Lewis Neal bent the shot over the Union wall and past keeper Fayrd Mondragon for Orlando City’s first ever goal.
Harada, who is entering his 11th professional season, is returning for his second season with the Riverhounds and will look to pick up where he left off. In his first season with the Hounds, Harada was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year in the USL Second Division. 
“We are delighted to have a player of Demar’s quality joining us,” said Phil Rawlins, Owner and President of Orlando City. “Demar has played ten times for Jamaica and has a wealth of experience in his position. We look forward to him forming a strong partnership with his Jamaican colleague and fellow center back, Kieron Bernard.”
“We are excited about being a part of the USL and the many opportunities it provides our Players, Staff and Partners. Further it will position Antigua and Barbuda as a prime sports tourism destination, something we are keen to do.” said Gordon ‘Banks’ Derrick, Chairman, Antigua Barracuda FC.
Eagles GM Tom Engstrom hopes Reed will bring his winning ways to Charlotte.