Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Thursday, April 7, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to welcome the Pittsburgh Riverhounds this Saturday, April 9 at 5 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring their four-legged companions along with them for a night of fun and professional soccer. Avoid lines at the gate and order tickets in advance at RichmondKickers.com.
"After last week’s performance, the team is full of confidence; however, we recognize Pittsburgh will be a difficult match-up,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “They return nearly all of their starters and have added several quality players. They were one of our toughest opponents last year and we expect an even harder challenge this season.”
The Kickers opened the USL PRO season with an emphatic 2-0 win over Orlando City last weekend. Midfielder Stanley Nyazamba notched the first USL PRO goal of the season when Ryan Heins drew a foul inside the penalty area. Later, defender Sascha Görres teamed up with goal-scoring sensation, Matthew Delicâte, to add the second tally. Pittsburgh opens their 2011 regular season this weekend in Richmond.
Overall, the Kickers hold a record of 12-7-3 over the Riverhounds, with a rivalry dating back to 1999 when the two franchises competed in the USL First Division. Pittsburgh edged Richmond 2-1-1 during the 2010 regular season with the Kickers earning their eighth league championship bid in nine years after a decisive 2-0 win over the Riverhounds in last year’s playoff semifinals.
Richmond concluded the regular season with a record of 9-5-6 and 33 points, five points behind Charleston who earned a bye and the right to host the title match, edging the Kickers 2-1 for the championship crown. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh found their way back to the USL-2 playoffs last season for the first time since 2006. Clinching the final playoff seed in 2010 out of a field of six teams, the Riverhounds posted a 5-2-3 record in the second half of the campaign.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Newcomer Mike Callahan was named the USL PRO Player of the Week for his integral role in the Kickers 2-0 win over Orlando. Joining the Kickers lineup late last week, Callahan spent two seasons with the Austin Aztex after concluding his collegiate career at the University of North Carolina. The 2008 USL-2 Rookie of the Year, Stanley Nyazamba, recorded the first goal in the new season when he converted a penalty kick against Orlando City last week, earning USL PRO Team of the Week honors. Defender William Yomby secured the Kickers backline, leading the defense to their first shutout in the season, holding Orlando to just two shots on goal. Japanese international Nozomi Hiroyama is slated to appear this weekend after arriving in Richmond earlier this week. Hiroyama brings a wealth of experience to Richmond, with a professional career that spans four continents and a pair of caps with the full Japanese National Team.
Riverhounds: Pittsburgh welcomes back Thabiso “Boyzzz” Khumalo, who returns after a two-year stint with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United. The 30-year old South African was named one of the Top 10 USL PRO Players to Watch last week by Soccer America. The 2010 USL-2 Rookie of the Year Jeremy Deighton led the Riverhounds with 29 shots, scoring five goals, en route to their first postseason appearance since 2006. With six shutouts in 18 appearances and a second-best 1.00 goals against average in 2010, goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap earned USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year honors last season. Gilstrap partners with defender Shintaro Harada who will shore up the Riverhounds defense again in 2011 after claiming USL-2 Defender of the Year honors.
SPCA Paws on the Pitch Night
Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to the Kickers fourth annual SPCA Paws on the Pitch night this Saturday, presented by Chipotle. The Richmond SPCA Tail Wag’N adoption vehicle will be in attendance, seeking to match homeless pets with new adopters. Pet-friendly vendors will also be present and the Richmond SPCA humane education mascot, Waggles, will mingle with fans.
Founded in 1891, the Richmond SPCA is central Virginia’s oldest non-profit, no-kill humane organization dedicated to the principle that every life is precious. As a national leader in humane education and care, the Richmond SPCA is aggressively tackling the problem of pet overpopulation through adoption, rehabilitation and spay/neuter. The organization saves the lives of more than 3,000 homeless animals each year and cares for approximately 350 cats and dogs daily.
Tickets
General admission tickets for regular season home games are $12 for adults and $7 for youth ages 3-17 for the fifth consecutive season. Avoid lines at the gate and click and print your tickets in advance via RichmondKickers.com. Alleviate the hassle of individual tickets and enjoy all of the Kickers Pro regular season home games for the best possible pricing with a 2011 Family Pass ($119), All-Access Pass ($90) or Adult Pro Pass ($55).
Order your 2011 Richmond Kickers Family Pass by Sunday, April 10 and get a FREE one-hour private training session with a Kickers pro player. The Family Pass offers admission for up to five family members, plus your child will get a 1v1 private training session with the Kickers, a family photo on the field with your Kickers player after a game, a 2011 Kickers autographed soccer ball and your Family Pass will be personally delivered by Kickeroo to your home, school or workplace. Valued at over $500, a limited number of these special packages are just $119 and are only available through Sunday, April 10, or while supplies last. Click here to order online or call Ben Snyder at 804-644-5425 x 311 for more information.