USL PRO Game Report
Sunday, July 6, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers and Real Salt Lake Reserves played to a 0-0 draw on Sunday evening at City Stadium. Despite 15 shots, and a number of chances, the Kickers were never able to find the breakthrough as they regained sole possession of second place in the USL PRO standings.
The Kickers came out guns ablaze with two chances early in the first half. The first came in the fourth minute when Richmond midfielder Shay Spitz intercepted a pass at midfield. Spitz carried the ball to the top of the penalty area before he found George Davis IV on his right. Davis’ shot was struck low and hard and forced RSL Reserves goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez to make a save to his right.
The second came on a Spitz corner in the seventh minute. The inswinger found the head of defender Conor Shanosky, who was open inside the six-yard box, but his header went just over the bar.
Real Salt Lake’s first chance of the game came in the 21st minute. Midfielder Luke Mulholland took a free kick from 30 yards that nearly caught Richmond keeper Joe Willis leaning, but the D.C. United loanee managed to recover and make a diving save to his right.
The Kickers' next opportunity arrived in the 27th minute when midfielder Samuel Asante found Sascha Görres streaking down the left wing. Görres’ low cross found Jason Yeisley near the penalty spot, and his shot sent Fernandez sprawling to his right to make the save.
Real Salt Lake’s best chance of the half came two minutes later. Forward Olmes Garcia found himself free after Richmond defender Shane Johnson mistimed his sliding challenge. Garcia took the ball in on the keeper, but Willis came off his line to cut off the angle, and made a big save.
Yeisley had a chance to open the scoring in the 43rd minute after receiving a pass from Davis in the box. Yeisley took a touch into space near the six-yard box, but could not beat the 'keeper to the near post.
Richmond’s final chance of the first half came in the 45th minute when Spitz was sprung down the right wing. The midfielder carried the ball into the right side of the box before centering the ball up for Asante, whose shot was hit on the ground, but Fernandez was up the task again with a diving save.
RSL Reserves would turn the opening kickoff of the second half into their best chance of the game. RSL sent a long ball forward that Johnson could only head as far as Mulholland, and the former USL PRO Rookie of the Year found a pocket of space on his way to the top of the penalty area before he fired a shot off the crossbar and over.
Richmond’s first chance of the second half came in the 76th minute. Davis danced around a defender to get to the byline, and sent in a cross that beat Fernandez, who came diving off his line, and found second-half substitute Tishan Hanley inside the six-yard box. Hanley’s volley went over the bar, missing an open net.
Richmond’s final chance at a winner came in the 88th minute. Second-half substitute Nate Robinson’s low cross from the right edge of the box found Hanley inside the six-yard box. Hanley’s backheel attempt beat the goalkeeper, and then trickled through the goalmouth and out for a goal kick.
The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium next Saturday, July 12 to host Sacramento Republic FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.