Tuesday, July 3, 2012
RICHMOND, Va. – Ryan Heins scored his first goal of the season for the Richmond Kickers as they broke down a defensive Los Angeles side to win 1-0 on Tuesday night at City Stadium. The victory moved the Kickers into fifth place in the USL PRO standings, while handing the Blues their third consecutive defeat.
The Kickers began on the front foot, mounting numerous attacks in the Los Angeles half throughout the opening stages, but the Blues were organized in defense and caught Richmond with their offside trap enough to stifle the Kickers’ momentum.
Matthew Delicâte nearly gave the Kickers an early lead in the 11th minute when he latched onto Christopher Agorsor’s through-ball, but his shot was blocked on the way to an empty net. Michael Callahan was the first Richmond player to put a shot on target, but his long-range effort in the 14th minute deflected straight into Blues goalkeeper Amir Abedzadeh’s arms.
The Blues turned defense into offense with a quick counterattack in the 29th minute, but Henry Kalungi defended brilliantly to keep Los Angeles striker Matthew Fondy from a one-on-one with Ronnie Pascale. The Kickers surged back into the Blues’ half and Heins forced a save from Abedzadeh. Agorsor tested the Blues goalkeeper again just before halftime, but the shot-stopper was equal to it.
Both sides made multiple substitutions in the early stages of the second half, but it was the introduction of Edson Elcock in the 58th minute that proved crucial for the Kickers. Elcock’s pace proved difficult to handle for the travel-weary Blues’ defense, and it was the substitute’s surging run to the byline that led to the opening goal.
Elcock gathered the ball along the sideline and raced past a couple of Blues players on his way to the goal line, where he sent a low cross toward the penalty spot. Two Kickers players couldn’t connect with the cross, but it fell kindly for Heins who placed his shot in the upper corner of the net.
The Blues nearly capitalized on a mistake in the 77th minute when Jason Yeisley fouled Irving Garcia just outside the penalty area. Garcia took the shot himself, but it sailed just wide of the upright and Richmond were able to hold on to the slim lead and claim a 1-0 victory.
The Kickers will return to City Stadium next Friday, July 13th, as they host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 7 p.m. For more information, please visit www.RichmondKickers.com.