Kickers kick off 2013 training camp

RICHMOND, VA - (Monday, February 18, 2013) – The Richmond Kickers officially kicked off their 2013 preseason training camp Monday at Ukrop Park, with signed players joining 6-10 trialists vying for remaining roster spots.

“This is very different off season to previous years,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer.  “Our partnership with D.C. United will provide quality players to our squad and, unlike past seasons, we have several roster spots open. Our main focus is to identify attacking players both in the wide and central positions.”

Cowlishaw recently returned from spending eight days at D.C. United’s preseason training camp in Orlando, FL and he plans to implement several ideas and concepts throughout the Kickers pro and Academy programs.

“It was beneficial to observe D.C. United in preseason,” said Cowlishaw.  “The clubs have similar playing philosophies and we will use D.C. United as the benchmark for our style of play and the organizational support we provide for our players. Additional emphasis on our professionalism, game preparation, attention to detail during our technical phase and utilizing staff members to oversee strength and conditioning, functional training, and injury prevention.”  

The Kickers six-week long training camp will feature a selection of scrimmages, including high profile match-ups against NCAA Finalists Georgetown University and NASL foes Carolina RailHawks.  First up, the Kickers play host to George Mason University this Friday, February 22 at 7 p.m.

“It is very early and we only have a handful of signed players in town, added Cowlishaw.  “The good news is we are way ahead of last season in terms of quality and our overall commitment to producing a winning season. We will see a combination of signed players, trialists and potentially a couple of our Academy players compete against George Mason on Friday.”

Twelve players are slated to return from last year’s squad along with the addition of recent signing Joseph Haboush and four yet-to-be-named season long loans from the Kickers’ Major League Soccer affiliate, D.C. United. Open tryouts for remaining roster spots will be held March 22-24.

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