Kickers begin 21st season with draw against Riverhounds

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers would start their 21st season Saturday night by playing to a draw against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in front of 3,268 at City Stadium.

During the first half, both sides had several near scoring chances that did not result in a goal for their respective clubs. In the 12th minute, Pittsburgh goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap lost control of the ball in his box, dropping it to ground and nearly to the feet of several waiting Kickers players before he cleared it out of the way.

In the 25th minute, a passing play between Kickers forward Jason Yeisley and midfielder Henry Kalungi was deflected out of play by a Pittsburgh player, resulting in a corner kick for Richmond. That kick connected to Yeisley, who's header went just wide of the left side of the Riverhounds' net.

The Kickers made a late attempt to score during first half stoppage time off of a corner kick from defender Sascha Görres that was grabbed from the air by Pittsburgh's Gilstrap.

In the second half, Richmond goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra maintained his clean sheet by saving a number of shots on the Kickers' net, including one from the left side of the Kickers' box from Pittsburgh midfielder Seth C'DeBaca that Dykstra was able to save and clear from the box.

In the final minute of the game, Pittsburgh would make try to get the game winning goal but their shots went wide of the crossbar, resulting in a season opening scoreless draw.

The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium next Saturday, April 6, 2013 to host the Charleston Battery at 7:00 p.m.  Order tickets in advance at RichmondKickers.com.

  

Box Score             First Half         Second Half             Final

Richmond                     0                      0                         0      

Pittsburgh                     0                      0                         0

Scoring Summary

None.

Lineups

Kickers: GK Andrew Dykstra, Alex Lee, William Yomby (Mike Callahan 85’), Conor Shanosky, Sascha Goerres, Taylor Kemp, Joseph Haboush, Henry Kalungi, Nate Robinson (Philippe Davies 66’), Casey Townsend, Jason Yeisley

Riverhounds: GK Hunter Gilstrap, Sterling Flunder, Richard Costanzo, Mike Green, Andrew Marshall, Alfonso Motagalvan, Seth C’deBaca, Ryan Kinne, Mike Seamon, Mike Seth, Jhonny Arteaga

Shots                           Saves                           Fouls                           Corners

Riverhounds:     18         Riverhounds:     4          Riverhounds:     10         Riverhounds:     4

Kickers:             11         Kickers:              4          Kickers:              5          Kickers:              6

 

Cautions:

31^st minute: Henry Kalungi (Richmond)

Ejections:

None.

Referee:                                                Robert Sibiga

Assistant Referees:                             Robert Velbis, Michael D’Angelo

Fourth Official:                                     Andrew Moses

Attendance:                                          3,268

Weather:                                               Clear, 40º