Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Thursday, July 12, 2012
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers return to Richmond City Stadium this Friday night to host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com. Mexican food trucks will be on site and the first 200 fans through the gate will receive a stadium cup courtesy of Northwestern Mutual.
Looking to rebound from a narrow 1-0 loss in Wilmington last weekend, the Kickers host the Riverhounds for the first time this season. The two clubs last met in Pittsburgh, posting a 1-1 draw on May 18. Scoreless through the first half, the Riverhounds broke the ice seconds before the break when forward Ricky Smith connected on a pass from Anthony Calvano. A series of chances in the second half led to the equalizer when Matthew Delicâte buried his second goal of the season in the 71st minute.
Overall, the Kickers hold a 13-8-5 record over the Riverhounds, with a rivalry dating back to 1999 when the two franchises competed in the USL First Division.
Both the Kickers and the Riverhounds are battling for playoff positioning, as the top six USL PRO teams qualify for postseason play. Currently residing in ninth place in the standings with a 3-8-5 record and 14 points, the Riverhounds trail the seventh-place Kickers (5-6-5) by six points. Most recently, Pittsburgh dropped a late 3-2 decision in Harrisburg, conceding a pair of goals in the last nine minutes of regulation.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Midfielder Ryan Heins earned USL PRO Team of the Week honors after notching his first goal of the 2012 campaign in last week’s 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Blues. In his second season with the Kickers, he has also contributed two assists and 25 shots.
Christopher Agorsor has made an immediate impact this season, leading the Kickers with seven goals and three assists while challenging 22 shots. The speedy forward joined the Kickers in April, after stints with the Philadelphia Union and Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer.
Splitting time between the attack and the defensive line this season, Jason Yeisley posted his first goal in a Kickers uniform against the Rochester Rhinos last month and contributed to the team’s fourth shutout of the season against Los Angeles last week.
Riverhounds: Jamaican forward Dawyne Smith signed with the Riverhounds prior to the 2012 season and has notched one goal in seven appearances. The rookie concluded his collegiate career at Bethel University, where he tallied 46 goals and 39 assists in 77 appearances, earning Third Team All-American honors in 2011.
Newcomer Matt Kassal leads the Riverhounds with three goals and one assist for seven points on the season. The former Major League Soccer midfielder spent two seasons with the New York Red Bulls before signing with Pittsburgh in 2012.
Veteran goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap has posted four shutouts during the regular season and U.S. Open Cup. Playing every minute of every game, he is ranked third in the league with 69 saves on the season.