BOYDS, MD – The Richmond Kickers advanced to the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup with a convincing 4-0 victory over the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association Tuesday night. Early goals by Christopher Agorsor and Gerson Dos Santos gave the visiting Kickers the lead that they held throughout the match. Agorsor netted his second tally of the night two minutes before Nozomi Hiroyama rounded out the scoreline in the 84th minute to earn the Kickers a Major League Soccer match-up, as they play host to D.C. United for the first time in four years at Richmond City Stadium next Tuesday, May 29 at 7 p.m.
The Kickers set the tone for the Second Round match in the 20th minute when newcomer Agorsor netted his second goal of the season. Defender Henry Kalungi played a long ball from midfield that was flicked on by forward Jason Yeisley to an awaiting Agorsor seven yards out. The Kickers newcomer sprung free from his defender with a quick turn and fired a low driven ball to the far corner.
Eight minutes later, the visitors struck again when Mike Callahan played a corner back to Luke Vercollone on the right wing. Settling the ball with one touch, Vercollone delivered an outswinger into the crowded box, connecting with Dos Santos in the air as the Brazilian’s perfect header soared just inside the upper 90.
The Hawks nearly leveled the score with two dangerous chances just before the break but were left helpless as their misfired shots narrowly missed the target.
An uneventful second half gave way to another pair of Kickers goals in rapid fire succession following the 80-minute mark. First, Dos Santos crushed a free kick from 20 yards that ricocheted off of Agorsor’s heel, diverting to the near post to beat the ‘keeper in the 82nd minute.
Then, Hiroyama registered the fourth and final goal of the night two minutes later when he received the ball from Bobby Foglesong at the halfway line. He drove down the field, dribbling 45 yards through the Hawks defense and made no mistake with a well-placed shot to the near post from 14 yards.
The Kickers return to regular season action this Saturday, May 26 when they host the Wilmington Hammerheads at 7 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium before hosting D.C. United of Major League Soccer in the U.S. Open Cup Third Round on Tuesday, May 29. Tickets are $15, youth and adult and are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com. For group tickets, please contact Cody Johnson at 804-644-5425 x 311 or cody@richmondkickers.com. All-Access Passes will be accepted for this match; however, Family Passes, Adult Pro Passes, Youth Pro Passes and Flex-Tickets will not be valid.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Aegean Hawks 0 0 0
Richmond 2 2 4
Scoring Summary
20th minute: Richmond: Christopher Agorsor (Jason Yeisley)
30th minute: Richmond: Gerson Dos Santos (Luke Vercollone)
82nd minute: Richmond: Christopher Agorsor (Gerson Dos Santos)
84th minute: Richmond: Nozomi Hiroyama (Bobby Foglesong)
Lineups
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, William Yomby, Henry Kalungi, Sascha Görres, Shane Johnson, Gerson Dos Santos, Luke Vercollone, Mike Callahan, Ryan Heins, Christopher Agorsor, Jason Yeisley (Nozomi Hiroyama – 59’)
Cautions:
70th minute: Gerson Dos Santos (Richmond)
Ejections:
None
Referee: Charles Carson
Assistant Referees: Matthew Kreitzer, Alexander Luttmann
Fourth Official: Adrian Krell, III
Attendance: 150
Weather: Cloudy, 72º
