Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Thursday, April 17, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium this Saturday, April 19 to host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 5 p.m. The enhanced game day experience begins when the gates open at 4 p.m. with live music from Black Market Lunch Box, Family Zone, food trucks, draft beer trucks, corporate entertainment and fun for families and soccer fans alike. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.
The Kickers and the Riverhounds meet for the second time in as many weeks with the defending USL PRO Regular Season Champions upending their northern rivals 3-1 at City Stadium on April 5. Kickers forward Michael Seaton opened scoring in the first half with midfielder Kyle Porter doubling the lead after the break. Pittsburgh forward Collins John pulled a goal back with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation but Porter buried his second goal of the night in stoppage time to send the visitors home empty handed.
Most recently, the Kickers and the Riverhounds both dropped points on the road. Despite taking an early lead in Charlotte on a second Seaton tally, the Kickers conceded a pair of unanswered goals to lose 2-1 to the Eagles. Meanwhile, a frantic back-and-forth-affair in Wilmington saw the Riverhounds rally with three second-half goals, but the late effort could not overturn the 4-3 scoreline.
Overall, the Kickers hold a 15-8-7 record against the Riverhounds, with the rivalry dating back to 1999 when the two franchises competed in the USL First Division. Following Saturday’s match-up, the two clubs swap home field advantage to close out the three-game series in Pittsburgh on June 22.
Loveland Distributing will once again be the official sponsor of the outdoor bar area at City Stadium, located on the south side of the main concourse. The expansive area serves as a unique, gathering place for fans before and during games, offering a variety of food and beverage options, including the Kickers-specific craft beer, Kick It Hunny, and live music.
Players to Watch
Kickers: In his second season on loan from D.C. United, seventeen-year old forward Michael Seaton notched his second goal in as many matches, opening scoring against both Pittsburgh and Charlotte. Signing with D.C. as a 16-year old, the Maryland native and homegrown player tallied five goals and one assist in Richmond last season. New Zealand/American midfielder Shay Spitz signed with the Kickers prior to the 2014 campaign after spending two seasons with the Orange County Blues. After making 27 appearances and posting four goals in a Blues uniform, he made his Kickers debut in the 2-2 draw in Charleston to open the 2014 campaign. In his sophomore season, homegrown goalkeeper Ryan Taylor made his first professional start at City Stadium against the Riverhounds on April 5. The Midlothian High School graduate and former FC Richmond player backstopped the Kickers to a 3-1 win.
Riverhounds: The Riverhounds’ marquee signing of 2014 is former Kickers midfielder Joseph Ngwenya. The USL PRO All-League First Team honoree and MVP Finalist led the Kickers with 11 goals and six assists last season after spending eight seasons in MLS. Through the Riverhounds’ new affiliation with the Houston Dynamo, midfielder Brian Ownby landed in Pittsburgh on loan this season after spending the majority of the 2014 campaign on loan with the Kickers. The native of Richmond, Va. and former Richmond Strikers Academy player finished second on the team in scoring, notching seven goals and seven assists en route to the Kickers Regular Season Championship title.
2014 Richmond Kickers Season Passes
Richmond Kickers season passes offer unbeatable value, VIP benefits and incredibly low prices to all regular season home games. Guaranteed to see all regular season home games for the best possible pricing, Kickers games are a fantastic way to get together with friends, family and colleagues for an unforgettable entertainment experience - order now!