Richmond Kickers defeat defending Champs Charleston Battery

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers captured three points at City Stadium Saturday night with a 4-1 win over the defending USL PRO Champions Charleston Battery. Zimbabwean International Joseph Ngwenya opened scoring and D.C. United forward Casey Townsend registered a pair of goals for the Kickers while Battery defender John Wilson’s tally prevented the shutout in front of 2,497 fans.

Photo (c) Suz Kitsteiner

The Kickers claimed an early lead when midfielder Luke Vercollone collected the ball in the midfield and found defender Taylor Kemp on the left wing. Splitting a pair of defenders with his well-timed pass, Kemp connected with Ngwenya who eluded a tackle and played the ball wide to Alex Lee at the far post. The Kickers newcomer whipped the ball back into the mix, finding Ngwenya in the air, who nodded the ball just over Charleston goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper’s outstretched hands to officially open his Kickers account in the 23^rd minute.

Kickers host defending USL Pro Champs Battery Saturday

RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, April 10, 2013) – The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium this Saturday, April 13 when they host the defending USL PRO Champions Charleston Battery at 7:00 p.m.  The enhanced game day experience begins when the gates open at 6:00 p.m. with live music from The People's Blues of Richmond, draft beer trucks, Richmond's legendary Food Trucks and a new and improved Family Zone.  Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

“Kickers versus Battery games are always fiercely contested affairs,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer.  “Hosting the reigning USL PRO Champions this early in the season provides an additional entertainment aspect to the match-up. Even though our opening game was a solid effort, we all know we need to improve upon last week's performance.”

The Kickers opened their 21^st season on April 6 when they battled the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to a scoreless draw, while the Battery kick off their 2013 campaign on the road at City Stadium this week.

The Kickers meet their longtime rivals for the first time since swapping 2-1 home and home victories last season.  Saturday’s game marks the 47th meeting between the two clubs over the last 21 years, with the series deadlocked at 21 wins, 21 losses and four draws.  Despite combining for seven league Championship titles (Charleston 1996, 2003, 2010, 2012; Richmond 1995, 2006, 2009), the two sides have only met in one high-stakes match, when the Battery claimed their third league crown in a heated 2-1 affair on August 28, 2010.

Rivals since 1993, Richmond and Charleston, alongside fellow USL PRO side Charlotte Eagles are the longest, continuously operating professional soccer clubs in the country.  The Kickers first-ever league match against the Battery was on May 1, 1993 at Stoney Field in downtown Charleston.  The Battery claimed the 2-1 victory behind goals from Mario Lone and Nigel James, with current head coach Leigh Cowlishaw notching the lone goal for the Kickers.