Kickers to face MLS Affiliate D.C. United in U.S. Open Cup 3rd Round

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers claimed a 4-1 win over Icon FC in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night, en route to the Third Round where they will face the club’s MLS affiliate D.C. United on Tuesday, May 28.  After conceding a 9^th minute Argjent Duka goal, the Kickers rallied behind a Joseph Ngwenya penalty kick and a pair of Stanley Nyazamba tallies to oust their USASA opponent from tournament action.  Kickoff for the U.S. Open Cup Third Round match-up is set for 7:00 p.m. at City Stadium and tickets are on sale now for $15, youth and adult, at RichmondKickers.com.

Searching for their second upset in as many weeks, Icon grabbed an early lead, capitalizing on their first chance of the night when defender Kevin Garcia eluded defenders on the left wing and fed the ball into Duka’s path.  Duka dummied the ball as Nelson Becerra played him in behind the defense as Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra came off his line to challenge the charging forward.  He beat his last mark and slotted the ball through to the far right corner inside the first 10 minutes of the opening whistle.

Kickers beat Hammerheads, draw Eagles in weekend action

Kickers 2-0 Hammerheads

WILMINGTON, NC – The Richmond Kickers claimed a 2-0 win in Wilmington Friday night during their first road trip of the season and the opening leg of a back-to-back weekend.  Veteran midfielder Luke Vercollone converted a second half penalty to give the visitors the lead before 17-year old forward Michael Seaton notched the decisive goal in stoppage time in his professional debut.

Wilmington saw the first good chance of the night when defender Uriah Bentick whipped in a cross from the left side of the box.  Midfielder Will Heaney tested Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra early when he won the ball in the air but his header whizzed just wide of the target.

Former D.C. United striker Ngwenya scores in Kickers 4-1 win over Rhinos

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers earned three points Saturday night with a dramatic 4-1 win over the Rochester Rhinos. A crowd of 2,270 saw a pair of red card ejections in between a barrage of goals as Rochester was forced to play two-men down after earning an early lead on a Matt Luzunaris tally. The Kickers retaliated with four unanswered goals as Mike Callahan, Joseph Ngwenya, Jason Yeisley and Stanley Nyazamba led the Kickers to their second consecutive victory at City Stadium.

The Rhinos claimed the lead inside the first three minutes of the opening whistle when Luzunaris stole the ball at midfield and carried it down the left wing on a breakaway, taking on Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra 1v1. As Dykstra charged off his line to challenge the streaking forward, Luzunaris swiftly drove a low ball into the far right corner.

Searching for the equalizer six minutes later, defender Sascha Görres threaded the ball through a crowded midfield, connecting with Brian Ownby who served a long ball over the Rhinos back line to find Nate Robinson deep on the left flank. The Kickers newcomer delivered the ball to the far post, finding Jason Yeisley in the air but the forward’s header soared just wide.

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

United GK Dykstra loaned to Charleston

Andrew Dykstra loaned to Charleston Battery for two games

Goalkeeper will return to the Black-and-Red next Wednesday

Washington, D.C. (April 13, 2012) – D.C. United announced today that goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra has been loaned to USL PRO side Charleston Battery for two games. He will join the Battery immediately and return to D.C. next Wednesday, April 18.

Dykstra will be available for the Battery’s games on April 14 versus the Richmond Kickers and April 17 versus the Charlotte Eagles.

Dykstra, a native of Woodbridge, Va., spent the 2011 season with the Charleston Battery, starting each of the 16 matches he played for the South Carolina side. The former Chicago Fire goalkeeper led USL PRO with a 0.98 goals-against average and 16 goals against, helping the Battery to an 8-6-2 record. For his efforts, Dykstra was awarded the club’s Betsy McAdams Newcomer of the Year award.

A Minute With: Andrew Dykstra, D.C. United Goalkeeper

Last week we launched a new video series called, A Minute With, that featured D.C. United midfielder Danny Cruz (click to see episode 1). The series focuses on players who are from Virginia and have gone on to succeed at the next level be it college, professional, or international. In our latest segment we feature recently signed D.C. United goalkeeper and VCU alum Andrew Dykstra.

Dykstra is a Virginia soccer native and the newest United roster member. In this segment he chats about his roots playing youth and college soccer in Virginia and his new role as goalie with the Black and Red.

We hope you enjoy the segments and if you have any players you would like to see featured on up comming segmants of A Minute With just tell us below in the comments section.

United sign Woodbridge native Andrew Dykstra

D.C. United Press Release:

D.C. United signs goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra

26-year-old a native of Woodbridge, Va.

Washington, D.C. (February 27, 2012) – D.C. United announced today that the club has signed goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra. The 26-year-old netminder joins the Black-and-Red having completed preseason camps in Florida and Arizona. Dykstra is currently with the team in Charleston, South Carolina, where United is competing in the Carolina Challenge Cup.

“We are excited to have added another young goalkeeper who has a bright future in MLS,” said United General Manager Dave Kasper. “Andrew has gained valuable experience in the past two years as a professional and we look forward to his contributions to our club.”

Dykstra, a native of Woodbridge, Va., spent the 2011 season with USL Pro team Charleston Battery, starting each of the 16 matches he played for the South Carolina side. The former Chicago Fire goalkeeper led the league with a 0.98 goals-against average and 16 goals against, helping the Battery to an 8-6-2 record. For his efforts, Dykstra was awarded the club’s Betsy McAdams Newcomer of the Year award.

Dykstra previously spent time with the Chicago Fire, after signing with the club in June of 2009.  He made 17 total appearances over the course of two seasons in Chicago. The former VCU goalie made his MLS debut with the Fire on March 27, 2010 in the season opener against New York Red Bulls. Dykstra finished the season with a 5-6-6 record, including five shutouts and an1.28 goals-against average.

Dykstra was a standout at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he played 73 matches over four seasons, totaling more than 6,500 minutes. The Woodbridge native earned All-CAA honors twice and finished his collegiate career with 18 shutouts.  

Name: Andrew Dykstra
Height: 6’4”Weight: 195
Jersey: TBD
Position: GK
Birthdate: January 2, 1986
Age: 26
Hometown: Woodbridge, VA
Birthplace: Honolulu, HI
Previous Club: Charleston Battery (USL Pro)
Acquired: Signed on February 27, 2012