Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Friday, April 20, 2012
RICHMOND, Va. – Fresh off their first win of the season, the Richmond Kickers return to Richmond City Stadium to host Orlando City and Burkey Night this Saturday at 7 p.m. in the first leg of a home and away series against the defending USL PRO champions.
“Orlando are the Manchester United of USL PRO,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “They are the reigning champions and have signaled their intent for the 2012 season with two emphatic wins. We have yet to produce a complete performance since last season's heroics so any points gained in the next two matches will be considered very valuable and a major achievement.”
The Kickers face Orlando for the first time since ending their 2011 campaign at the Florida Citrus Bowl, falling 3-0 to the eventual league champions. Last season, the two clubs exchanged 2-0 victories on their respective home turfs when the Kickers opened the inaugural USL PRO season with an emphatic 2-0 win. Orlando avenged its early season mishap in Richmond by handing the Kickers a 2-0 defeat of their own one month later.
Richmond recently kicked off its 20th Anniversary season with a home and away derby against longtime rivals the Charleston Battery. After conceding a 2-1 loss at City Stadium on April 7th, they rebounded in Charleston last weekend, handing their familiar foes the same scoreline. Midfielder Stanley Nyazamba notched two of the Kickers’ three goals during the series, with defender Sascha Görres rallying the team to a last-gasp victory on the road with his dramatic 90th-minute tally.
Meanwhile, Orlando City kicked off their sophomore USL PRO campaign with a pair of impressive victories, recording 2-0 and 4-1 wins against the Charlotte Eagles and Wilmington Hammerheads, respectively. Midfielders Dennis Chin and Kevin Molino combined to down the Eagles to open the season and added another four points between them against the Hammerheads one week later. Midfielder John Rooney, younger brother of famed Manchester United and England forward Wayne Rooney, made his USL PRO debut against Charlotte and tops the Lions scoring charts after notching a pair of goals and an assist against Wilmington.
Following Saturday’s contest, the two teams swap home-field advantage, concluding the home and away series in Orlando on Saturday, April 28.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Earning USL PRO Team of the Week honors, defender Sascha Görres’ 90th-minute game-winning goal lifted the Kickers to a 2-1 win over the Charleston Battery last weekend. The native of Flensburg, Germany resides in second place on the Kickers all-time career assists list with 36.
Midfielder Stanley Nyazamba stepped up to the penalty spot seconds after entering the match in Charleston, to bury his second goal in as many games against the Battery.
The Kickers prolific goalscorer, Matthew Delicate is just four goals away from leapfrogging Rob Ukrop on the club’s all-time career goals list. The big marksman notched 10 goals and three assists last season en route to USL and U.S. Open Cup semifinal appearances.
Lions: Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo led the league with a miniscule 0.681 goals against average and 11 shutouts during the 2011 regular season, en route to the USL PRO regular season and league championships.
Midfielder John Rooney made five appearances with the New York Red Bulls in 2011 before signing with Orlando prior to the 2012 campaign. He burst onto the scoring scene last weekend, notching two goals and an assist against Wilmington, with his efforts earning USL PRO Player of the Week honors.
Forward Jamie Watson had a strong season for the Lions in 2011 with eight goals and three assists for 17 points. The 2009 USL-2 MVP made 38 appearances and tallied two goals with Real Salt Lake.
Burkey Night
The Kickers, together with Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc., will celebrate the career of one of the all-time greatest professional soccer players in Richmond, Mike Burke. Burke’s No.19 jersey will be retired during a special halftime presentation and the first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive a free 2012 replica t-shirt, courtesy of Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc.
Burke’s 11-year playing career with the Kickers concluded following the 2010 season when he was USL Assists Champion and earned All-League Second Team honors en route to his sixth Championship appearance with the club. Leading the team to two league titles (2006, 2009), the four-time USL All-League First Team selection tops the Kickers all-time assists category with 61. The 2007 USL Most Valuable Player, Burke made 275 appearances with the Kickers and currently resides in second place on the franchise’s all-time games played list. Logging over 18,000 minutes in a Kickers uniform, the club’s perennial fan favorite garnered Supporter’s Choice MVP honors on six consecutive occasions and was named Player’s Choice MVP twice.
“We are proud to honor to not only one of the Kickers all-time greatest players but a player who has a profound impact on his community and the countless youth players he has imparted his knowledge to,” said Cowlishaw. “We encourage everyone to come out support and personally thank Burkey next Saturday."
"The Richmond Kickers have and always will be family to me,” said Burke. “The 11 years with the pro team was the greatest journey in my life. I am so grateful for the platform they provided me to establish roots here in Richmond and become the person I am today. The support over the years has been remarkable and I am truly thankful for everyone involved."
Avoid lines at the gate and click and print tickets in advance at RichmondKickers.com.