Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Saturday, July 5, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers return to USL PRO action this Sunday evening when they host Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake Reserves and Food Truck Fest at 5 p.m. ET. Richmond’s iconic food trucks will headline the event with local favorites such as BoDillaz, Gelati Celesti, Mr. Softee, Mosaic, Hungry Turtle, Kona Ice, Carytown Burgers & Fries, Jadeans Barbeque and Opa scheduled to attend. Happy Hour in the Kickers outdoor bar and live music from The Southern Belles begins at 4 p.m. and admission is just $5 before 5 p.m.
As a component of the inter-league affiliation between USL PRO and Major League Soccer, the Kickers host Real Salt Lake for the first time in club history. Sunday’s game, which counts in both the official USL PRO and MLS Reserves standings, is one of Real Salt Lake’s nine-game MLS Reserve league schedule.
Real Salt Lake are 1-0-2 through their first three Reserve League games, most recently battling the Seattle Sounders Reserves to a scoreless draw on May 26. One week prior, they topped the Colorado Rapids Reserves 2-0 behind late goals by Nick Jackson and Olmes Garcia.
Meanwhile, the Kickers enter Sunday’s match following a 1-1 tie in Wilmington last weekend. After conceding a second-half tally, the Kickers rallied to level the score 10 minutes from regulation when Hugh Roberts posted his first professional goal to preserve the hard-fought point on the road. Roberts was the hero again three days later when he notched his second equalizer in as many games in an international exhibition against the Mexico U21 National Team earlier this week.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Defender Conor Shanosky has played in nine games in Richmond during his second season on loan from the Kickers official MLS affiliate, D.C. United. A key contributor during the Kickers 2013 Regular Season Championship run, the 6-foot-4 native of Sterling, Va. made 14 appearances and added two goals last season. Midfielder Samuel Asante has contributed two assists this season, adding a goal during this year’s U.S. Open Cup tournament. The native of Sunyani, Ghana spent the 2013 season with the Charlotte Eagles, making 21 appearances en route to the USL PRO championship match. Rookie Hugh Roberts has become a versatile player, splitting time between the back line and the midfield during his debut season and posting his first professional goal in Wilmington last week. Impressing at the Kickers January 2014 pro combine, the native of Olney, Md. signed his first professional contract this year after making 69 appearances at George Mason University.
Real Salt Lake: Goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez is in his third season with Real Salt Lake after signing in 2012 as the club’s third-ever Homegrown Player. The El Paso, Texas native has yet to feature for the first-team but backstopped to the Reserves to a 2-2-2 record last season and posted shutouts against Colorado and Seattle in May. Defender Abdoulie Mansally made his MLS debut at the age of 18 when he signed with the New England Revolution in 2007 before moving to Real Salt Lake in 2012. Making 14 appearances, including nine starts last season, the Gambia National Team player has made seven appearances with the Real Salt Lake first team this season, producing one assist. Forward Benji Lopez became the fifth player to graduate from the RSL-Arizona Academy when he signed with Real Salt Lake last season. The 19-year-old has made five appearances with the Reserves and notched his first professional goal in the 3-2 win over Vancouver last July.
Kickers Host English Premier League Side Crystal Palace July 28
The Richmond Kickers are pleased to host Crystal Palace of the world famous Barclay’s Premier League in an international exhibition at City Stadium on Monday, July 28 at 7 p.m. The historic match marks the first-time ever a team from England’s top flight will appear in Virginia. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.