US Open Cup Game Report
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers fell 3-2 against the New England Revolution in the Fourth Round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, ending an unbeaten streak of 15 games in all competitions.
New England began the game with a long spells of possession before getting on the board in the ninth minute. Midfielder Steve Neumann sent an inswinging corner into the box that was met by the head of defender Stephen McCarthy soaring above the defense. McCarthy’s header was aimed low and with pace before skipping under Richmond keeper Joe Willis.
New England nearly had its second in the 14th minute after forward Diego Fagundez was sprung down the right wing on a quick free kick. Fagundez charged to the end line before sending a dangerous, low cross through the six-yard box, that missed everyone.
Richmond began to settle into the game with its first chance coming in the 19th minute. Richmond defender Luke Vercollone’s free kick from near midfield nearly found the head of Hugh Roberts, but New England keeper Brad Knighton gloved the ball before any damage could be done.
The Kickers had their equalizer in the 24th minute. Defender Henry Kalungi sent in a deep cross from the right wing that found Jason Yeisley at the back post, who managed to nod the ball back just outside the six-yard box. George Davis IV won the footrace to the ball, slotting home in the right-side netting.
New England almost answered three minutes later on a free kick from Chris Tierney. Tierney’s curling effort went over the wall and rang the crossbar before going behind for a goal kick.
New England had its second after a through ball from Fagundez found Patrick Mullins on the right of the six-yard box. Mullins danced around a sliding challenge from Richmond defender William Yomby and squared a ball up to Neumann, whose shot beat Joe Willis to the left post.
New England increase its lead in the 39th minute on a long ball from Knighton. Yomby misplayed the ball in an attempt to head the ball back to Willis, and Neumann took advantage by tiptoeing around the keeper and passing the ball into the net.
New England almost had a fourth on a quick free kick from Lee Nguyen. Nguyen’s ball found Chris Tierney racing down the left wing, and Tierney sent in a low cross that found the foot of a sliding Mullins. Mullins' shot was aimed directly at Willis, but the rebound ping-ponged back off Mullins before Willis finally recovered.
Richmond enjoyed much of the possession in the early second half and had its first chance in the 62nd minute. Richmond substitute Shay Spitz whipped a cross into the box on a short corner. Spitz’s cross was dangerous and bounced before it could be cleared to Asante. Asante’s subsequent ball found the head of Mathew Delicâte, who just missed wide right.
In the 66th minute, Richmond defender Sascha Görres swung in a cross, which brought a diving Knighton off his line. The keeper missed the cross, and the ball skidded past Delicâte before he could get his foot on it.
Richmond added its second on the 100th goal of Delicâte’s career. Davis IV found a skying Delicâte who blasted the ball past Knighton with his head.
Richmond tried to equalize five minutes later when Kalungi’s header on a ball from substitute Christiano Francois was knocked off the crossbar and out of play. Richmond’s best chance to equalize came in the 80th minute. Görres’ outswinging ball found Delicâte at the back post, and his right-footed effort dipped over the bar.
Richmond’s final chance to equalize came on a Spitz cross into the box. The ball was punched away by Knighton, who collided with Delicâte, leaving the goal open. Asante’s shot from 25 yards away was inches over the crossbar.