USL PRO Game Report
Saturday, July 12, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. – Matthew Delicâte’s two second-half goals led the Richmond Kickers to a 2-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night at City Stadium. Delicâte’s 11th and 12th goals on the season are good enough to move him into a tie for the USL PRO-lead in goals.
After a scoreless first half, Richmond fans thought they had the opening goal in the 49th minute. Shay Spitz played the ball over the top of the defense to Michael Seaton, whose subsequent volley found the left side netting. However the play was called back as Seaton scored in an offside position.
Richmond’s next chance came in the 55th minute, when Spitz found Luke Vercollone just inside the box. Vercollone found himself in a pocket of space initially, but a late challenge by Nemanja Vukovic caused him to push his shot wide left.
In the 62nd minute, Vercollone found a charging Kyle Porter down the right side. Porter attempted to catch Republic FC goalkeeper Jake Gleeson off his line, but the keeper was able to recover and knock the shot over the bar.
Sacramento broke the ice in the 64th minute on header by Adam Jahn. Emrah Klimenta began the movement by dancing around Richmond defender Sascha Görres, and he whipped a cross into the box. His cross was met by the head of Yomby, but his header went only as far as the back post where Jahn was waiting to nod the ball home.
Richmond found their equalizer two minutes later, however, as Samuel Asante sent a long ball to Jason Yeisley, who flicked the ball on past the defense. Yeisley’s flick found Delicâte in on the goalkeeper, and the veteran striker did the rest by beating Gleeson to his left.
Richmond scored the go-ahead goal with 11 minutes to go. Defender Alex Lee switched the play to George Davis IV, who found himself with room to maneuver down the left wing. Davis beat his defender to the byline before centering for Delicâte, who made a diagonal run across the goal. Delicâte dragged the ball past Gleeson and into the back of the net for Richmond’s second.
Sacramento had a chance at the equalizer in the 88th minute on a late corner, but Richmond goalkeeper Joe Willis was quick off his line to glove the ball before any damage could be done.
Richmond had the first chance of the night in the sixth minute on a shot from Spitz, who received a ball that was chipped over the defense by Davis IV, and hit a low shot that missed wide right.
Richmond featured some nice combination play from Porter and Seaton in the 21st minute as Porter connected with Seaton on a throw-in, who returned the favor by finding Porter down the right side. Porter’s cross into the box drew Gleeson off his line, and into some acrobatics. Gleeson juggled the initial cross, and just as Davis IV was about to make an attempt at the ball, Gleeson tipped it over his head before securing it.
Sacramento had its first chance of the game in the 22nd minute. Klimenta made a long run down the left wing before sending a cross into the box. His cross found the head of Justin Braun in the six-yard box, but his header went straight down before being cleared by Richmond defender William Yomby.
On the ensuing play, Braun slipped a through-ball to Klimenta who carried the ball to the end line. Klimenta cut the ball back on the ground to Jahn, who fanned on his shot.
Sacramento’s final chance in the half came in the 32nd minute on a shot by Ivan Mirkovic, who received a ball from Tommy Thompson just outside the box, and rifled a shot into the gloves of Willis.
The Kickers return to City Stadium next Saturday, July 19 to host the Charleston Battery and SUMMER FEST, presented by Bounce 2 the Moon at City Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with splash zone, inflatable games, live music, food trucks and draft beer trucks. Four tickets for $20 before 6:30 p.m.