KICKERS HOST PRO-AM CHALLENGE SATURDAY

RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, March 8, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers are set to host the 2010 ACC Champions University of Maryland Terrapins and the second annual Pro-Am Challenge this Saturday, March 12. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. at the Kickers state-of-the-art sports complex Ukrop Park. With less than 100 tickets still available, a sell out is expected. Tickets are just $5.00 each, youth and adult, and are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

"Maryland has consistently been one of the top college programs in the country and the Pro-Am Challenge creates an added edge to our regular pre-season game,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “We have played Maryland several times over the last 15 years and the contests always produce great soccer and highly spirited affairs. The match-up will be an ideal pre-season test for our squad."
“We are looking forward to facing Richmond in the Pro-Am Challenge,” adds Sasho Cirovski, Maryland Head Coach. “The Kickers are a tremendous franchise and we have a great deal of respect for Leigh and his staff. All of our friendlies have been of high quality and I expect this to be no different. Even though we lost seven starters, with five going to MLS and two others to graduation, we have a lot of talent returning. It will be an exciting match.”

Finishing the regular season on a 13-game winning streak with a 17-2-1 record, the Terps garnered the second overall seed into the NCAA Tournament before falling 3-2 to Michigan in the Quarterfinals. NCAA National Champions in 2005 and 2008, the Terps have produced 17 straight winning seasons, with 2010 marking their 30th appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

The Kickers will face an intense lineup of closed door preseason scrimmages including matches against Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University and Carolina RailHawks (NASL). The 2011 USL PRO regular season commences in just three weeks, when the Kickers play host to Orlando City on Saturday, April 2.

Players to Watch

Kickers: The Kickers are pleased to welcome back fan favorites David Bulow (#10) and Stanley Nyazamba (#27) in 2011. Bulow returns after a one season hiatus at Real Maryland after notching 11 goals in 22 games for the Kickers in 2009. The 2008 USL-2 Rookie of the Year, Nyazamba returns to Richmond after a two-year stint in MLS and USSF Division II. One of the best defensive units in the country returns to Richmond, with Sascha Görres (#23), Henry Kalungi (#25), William Yomby (#2) and Dave Hertel (#17) teaming up to build on last season’s success.

Terrapins: The Terps will be adjusting after losing seven players, sending five to MLS. Maryland will be led by Casey Townsend (#11), who tallied nine goals and five assists during the 2010 season, earning All-ACC First Team honors for his offensive efforts. Townsend will be joined by ACC Freshman of the Year Patrick Mullins (#15) and Paul Torres (#16), both scoring five goals and chipping in four assists last season.

TicketsGeneral admission tickets are $5 for both adults and youth; however, less than 100 tickets are still available. Tickets are on sale at RichmondKickers.com. All-Access Passes will be accepted. Please note: Adult Pro Passes, Youth Pro Passes, Family Passes and Flexi-Pack Tickets will not be valid for this match.