Kickers lose second straight, host FC New York Saturday

ORLANDO, FL – The Richmond Kickers (6-2-1, 19 points) concluded a grueling midweek road trip with a 2-0 loss to Orlando City (7-1-2, 23 points) at the Citrus Bowl Wednesday night. The American Division leaders took an early lead on a pair of goals by Lewis Neal and Kevin Molino inside the first 15 minutes to hand the Kickers their second loss in as many games. The taxing week ends this Saturday, May 28 when the Kickers return to City Stadium to host FC New York in their third game in five days at 7:00 p.m.

Orlando remained undefeated on their home turf in the 4th minute when a quick give-and-go between Neal and Molino broke Neal through to goal from 12 yards out. Molino added a second tally nine minutes later when a through ball by Luke Boden snuck through the Kickers defense. Molino collected the loose ball at the top of the box and fired into the back of the net to give Orlando the advantage that they held onto for the duration of the match.
The Kickers sought a scoring opportunity in the 30th minute when Sascha Görres’ free kick from the right wing found midfielder David Bulow unmarked 12 yards out but his side volley from close range soared skyward.
In an effort to pull a goal back after the restart, second half substitute Stanley Nyazamba stripped the ball off two defenders and maneuvered his way to the top of the 18. He launched a shot from point-blank range just over the crossbar in the 63rd minute.
The visitors nearly avoided the shutout with eight minutes to spare when Richmond midfielder Nozomi Hiroyama lined up a free kick on the right side and served a looping ball into a crowded penalty area. The ball rebounded out to an awaiting Jamel Wallace who sent a volley into goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo’s arms.
The Kickers look to bounce back from this week’s two-game set back when they return to City Stadium this Saturday, May 28 to host FC New York and the MARTIN’S Kick Out Hunger Food Drive at 7:00 p.m. Fans who donate non-perishable food items to benefit the Central Virginia Food Bank will receive a coupon for $5.00 regularly priced admission at the gate. Visit RichmondKickers.com for more information.
 
 
KICKERS HOST FC NEW YORK SATURDAY
 
Richmond, VA – (Thursday, May 26, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers (6-2-1, 19 points) return to City Stadium this Saturday, May 28 to host FC New York (1-4-2, 5 points) and the second annual MARTIN’S Food Drive at 7:00 p.m. The Kickers face the expansion National Division side for the first time in history as New York recently kicked off their inaugural USL PRO campaign. Bring non-perishable food items to benefit the Central Virginia Food Bank and receive a coupon for $5.00 OFF admission at the gate. Plus, earn raffle tickets for each pound of food, for prizes and drawings throughout the game.
Residing in second place in the American Division standings, the Kickers look to bounce back from a pair of losses picked up on a grueling midweek road trip to Charleston and Orlando.
USL leading scorer Matthew Delicâte gave the visitors an early lead in Charleston on a gift goal within 30 seconds of kickoff, but the Kickers could not rally back after the Battery equalized before the break. The match ended in heartbreak as Charleston midfielder Jon Gruenewald stole all three points on a last-gasp tally, to hand the Kickers their first loss of the young season.
The Kickers return to Richmond empty-handed after continuing south to Orlando the next day and conceding their second loss in as many days. Leapfrogging the Kickers into first place in the American Division standings, Orlando pinched a pair of tallies inside the first 15 minutes. Despite several dangerous second half scoring opportunities, the Kickers could not reverse the early deficit.
Meanwhile, New York are searching for their second win of the season after dropping a 2-0 decision to division rivals Pittsburgh Riverhounds last weekend. New York shocked USL PRO powerhouse Charleston one week earlier when Graciano Brito made the underdogs the victors, handing the Battery their first loss at Blackbaud Stadium in two seasons.

Earlier this week, New York announced the resignation of head coach Matt Weston, appointing assistant coach and player Paul Shaw as the interim head coach.