Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers return home this Saturday to host the Wilmington Hammerheads at 7 p.m. The red-hot Kickers (5-0-0) meet the undefeated Hammerheads (2-0-0) in an intiguing American Division clash at City Stadium. The first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive a soccer ball soft Frisbee from nTelos Wireless and free samples from Flowers Baking Company. Avoid lines at the gate and click and print your tickets in advance at RichmondKickers.com.
“This will be the toughest game of the season so far,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “Wilmington are full of confidence after an excellent start to their season and will no doubt be looking to collect all three points. We have several injury concerns so it will be a true test of our squad’s depth.”
With a rivalry dating back to the 2006 season, the Kickers face the Hammerheads for the first time since 2009 as Wilmington recently rejoined USL PRO after a one-year hiatus from professional soccer. Despite holding a 7-3-3 advantage over the Hammerheads, the Kickers have a score to settle after Wilmington narrowly claimed the 2009 regular season title over Richmond. Both teams concluded the 2009 regular season with 39 points, but Wilmington took the tiebreaker based on total wins in league games that season.
The American Division rivals split the three-game regular season series in 2009, 1-1-1. The Kickers dropped a 3-2 decision in Wilmington in July before avenging the loss with a 1-0 victory in Hammerheads territory one month later. The two teams ended the regular season campaign with a fitting 2-2 draw to bring the series level. Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte tallied three of the Kickers five goals against their southern foes that season.
Wilmington picked up right where they left off, opening the 2011 USL PRO season with a 2-0 record. Most recently, a pair of late goals from Paul Nicholson and Alex Grendi lifted the Hammerheads to a decisive 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Two weeks earlier, the revamped Wilmington team edged the USL PRO powerhouse Rochester 1-0. Notching four goals with four different goalscorers, the Hammerheads look to continue their winning ways in their first road test of the season.
Meanwhile, the Kickers improved their record to 5-0-0 after an impressive 6-0 victory in Dayton last weekend. Scoring early and often, the Kickers left their mark at Miami Valley South Stadium when USL PRO Team of the Week honorees, Delicâte and David Bulow each registered multiple-point games. Delicâte opened the flood gates in the fifth minute, adding two assists on the night, with Bulow notching a pair of second half goals off the bench. Midfielders Edson Elcock and Ryan Heins each contributed their first goals of the season and newcomer Shaka Bangura rounded out the scoreline with his second in as many games.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Midfielder David Bulow has returned strongly to Richmond this season, notching three goals in the last two matches as a second-half substitute. The 2009 USL-2 Championship MVP recently recorded a pair of tallies over Dayton last weekend on the road, earning USL PRO honors for the first time this season. Newcomer Shaka Bangura shocked the Charleston Battery and thrilled Richmond fans with a 90th minute game-winning goal two weeks ago. Entering the match seconds earlier, he scored on his first touch of the season, in his first minute of play. He added a second tally over Dayton last weekend and is now tied for third place in scoring for the Kickers. Defender Yomby William continues to anchor the strongest defensive unit in the league, having allowed just two goals in the last five matches. Contributing to the team’s third shutout of the season last weekend in Dayton, he earned a USL PRO Team of the Week Honorable Mention for his staunch defensive efforts.
Hammerheads: Rookie midfielder Paul Nicholson earned USL PRO Team of the Week honors this week after notching the game-winning goal over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Joining the Hammerheads roster in 2011 after a two-year stint in the Premier Development League, Nicholson is tied for second on the team in points. Recently transferred from the Los Angeles Blues, Gareth Evans shores up the Hammerheads defense, which has allowed just one goal this season. The Welsh defender spent two seasons with the Austin Aztex and Real Maryland Monarchs after a stint in the Welsh Premier League. Having scored the game-winning goal against the Kickers in July 2009 while on loan with the Hammerheads, forward Andriy Budnyy joined the Wilmington lineup full-time this season. The former Carolina RailHawks player added his first goal of the 2011 campaign in last week’s 3-1 win over Pittsburgh.
Mother’s Day Celebration
The Kickers will be honoring the Mother’s Day weekend by presenting special gifts and prizes to moms in attendance. The first 500 moms through the gate will receive a flower from Vogue Flowers and a Mary Kay gift bag. Plus, drawings will be held for a $500 gift certificate to Peter Alexander Jewelers and other great gifts and prizes.
Recstravaganza
All youth rec soccer players are invited to RECSTRAVAGANZA, celebrating the 2011 rec soccer season, with the Richmond Kickers pro team this Saturday, May 7. Enjoy delicious concessions from Papa John's, inflatable games, halftime contests, giveaways from nTelos Wireless and Flowers Baking Company and more! Plus, all rec players in attendance will be recognized on the field at halftime. Rec players can gain free admission by presenting a 2011 Youth Pro Pass at the gate.
Tickets
General admission tickets for regular season home games are $12/adults and $7/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).