Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Friday, May 27, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers (6-2-1, 19 points) return to City Stadium this Saturday to host F.C. New York (1-4-2, 5 points) and the second annual MARTIN’S Food Drive at 7 p.m. The Kickers face the expansion National Division side for the first time in history as New York recently kicked off their inaugural USL PRO campaign. Bring non-perishable food items to benefit the Central Virginia Food Bank and receive a coupon for $5 off admission at the gate. Plus, earn raffle tickets for each pound of food, for prizes and drawings throughout the game.
Residing in second place in the American Division standings, the Kickers look to bounce back from a pair of losses picked up on a grueling midweek road trip to Charleston and Orlando.
USL leading scorer Matthew Delicâte gave the visitors an early lead in Charleston on a gift goal within 30 seconds of kickoff, but the Kickers could not rally back after the Battery equalized before the break. The match ended in heartbreak as Charleston midfielder Jon Gruenewald stole all three points on a last-gasp tally, to hand the Kickers their first loss of the young season.
The Kickers return to Richmond empty-handed after continuing south to Orlando the next day and conceding their second loss in as many days. Leapfrogging the Kickers into first place in the American Division standings, Orlando pinched a pair of tallies inside the first 15 minutes. Despite several dangerous second-half scoring opportunities, the Kickers could not reverse the early deficit.
Meanwhile, New York are searching for their second win of the season after dropping a 2-0 decision to division rivals the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last weekend. New York shocked USL PRO powerhouse Charleston one week earlier when Graciano Brito made the underdogs the victors, handing the Battery their first loss at Blackbaud Stadium in two seasons.
Earlier this week, New York announced the resignation of head coach Matt Weston, appointing assistant coach and player Paul Shaw as the interim head coach.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Forward Matthew Delicâte continues to lead the team and the league with 15 points on six goals and three assists in nine appearances. The prolific goal-scorer added his sixth goal of the season with a record-setting tally inside the first 30 seconds against Charleston earlier this week. Japanese international Nozomi Hiroyama brings a wealth of experience to the Kickers front line having played on four continents during his career and earning a pair of caps with the full Japanese National Team. The veteran midfielder has earned three starts in seven appearances with the Kickers this season. Defender Dave Hertel recently returned to the starting lineup after starting all but two matches in 2010, earning USL Second Division All-League Second Team honors. Contributing on both sides of the ball, the native of Holland, Michigan assisted on the game-winning goal against Charleston last month.
New York: Irish national team player Owen Morrison signed with New York prior to the 2011 season after an extensive career in England and Ireland. The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder tallied New York’s first goal in history in a 2-1 loss to Orlando in April. Midfielder Graciano Brito surprised the Charleston Battery with an early tally that would lead his side to their first win of the season earlier this month. The 2008 Northeast Conference Player of the Year out of Quinnipiac University leads New York in scoring with two goals on the season. Salvadorian-American goalkeeper Derby Carrillo protects the nets for New York after a collegiate career at St. John’s University and Cal State Dominguez Hills. The menacing 6-foot-4 netminder signed his first professional contract with the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer in 2010.
MARTIN’S Food Drive
Help us help others! The Richmond Kickers and MARTIN’S Food Markets are teaming up with the Central Virginia Food Bank to sponsor a food drive during the month of May. The food drive will culminate at the Kickers pro soccer game this Saturday.
When school ends in June, many low-income children in the community will be without the nutritious breakfast and lunch meals they received at school each weekday. The Central Virginia Food Bank fights hunger by providing food and grocery products to an extensive network of partner agencies who serve our most vulnerable neighbors. The Food Bank also prepares and delivers hot, healthy meals to at-risk children in summer/after school programs and backpacks filled with weekend meal items for school children in need.
As a grocery store chain, MARTIN’S has a charitable mission to fight hunger. They participate in many programs to donate food and funds to regional food banks including the Central Virginia Food Bank.
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).