Kickers 15th Annual Player Combine, March 22-24

RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, March 20, 2013) – Nearly 100 players will attend the Richmond Kickers 15th annual player combine this weekend, March 22-24, at the Kickers state-of-the-art sports complex, Ukrop Park.  Players representing 25 countries from around the world, including Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Egypt, El Salvador, England, France, The Gambia, Ghana, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Malawi, Nigeria, Poland, Senegal, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States will participate in three days of intense training, including small-sided games, speed testing and full-sided matches.

"We are searching for one or two additional players to add to the team,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer.  “We have a very talented group in place and are hopeful we can find a couple of strong players from this weekend's event to add depth to the squad."

Attendance at the player combine is one of the best ways to ensure that a player’s complete soccer resume and professional evaluation is in front of key decision makers for the Richmond Kickers. Training sessions will take place in front of professional coaching staff, led by Kickers Director of Soccer, Leigh Cowlishaw, who will be joined by an array of experienced technical staff and former professional players.

Past Kickers trials have produced such prominent players as Clyde Simms (New England Revolution, D.C. United and U.S. Men’s National Team), Ronnie Pascale (Three-time USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year), Tim Brown (New Zealand National Team) and Robert Ssejjemba (2006 USL-2 MVP and Ugandan National Team).

Simms is one of 18 D.C. United players who played with the Kickers over the past two decades, with the roster of former Kickers players also including 2011 Major League Soccer MVP Dwayne De Rosario, Mike Burke, Jeff Causey, Ben Crawler, Brian Kamler, Mike McGinty, Richie Williams, Mark Simpson and Robert Ssejjemba. Players who have featured with the Kickers on loan include Brian Carroll, John DiRaimondo, Justin Mapp, Andy Metcalf, Bryan Namoff, Anthony Peters, Long Tan and Ethan White. In franchise history, 22 players have progressed from the Richmond Kickers into Major League Soccer.

VCU defender Juan Arbelaez signs with Richmond Kickers

RICHMOND, VA - (Friday, March 15, 2013) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the signing of former Virginia Commonwealth University defender Juan Arbelaez, pending USSF approval.

“We are fortunate to sign another talented VCU product,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer.  “Juan will be a great asset to the squad as he is comfortable in both the right defense and right midfield positions. He is a very attack-minded player and has shown an enthusiastic attitude during pre-season. We expect him to compete for a starting position right away.”

Selected by the Montreal Impact in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Arbelaez spent two seasons at VCU, making 38 appearances and tallying one goal and five assists for seven points.  The native of Pereira, Colombia transferred his junior year from Georgia Perimeter College where he claimed All-Region recognition in 2010 after scoring eight goals and 11 assists as a freshman, helping lead GPC to a national runner-up finish.  Prior to college, the 2009 Gainesville Times Player of the Year racked up 51 goals and 70 assists at West Hall High School in Oakwood, Georgia. 

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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 returning to coach Kickers for 14th season

Cowlishaw Returns for 14^th Season, Names Dotsenko, Görres Assistants

RICHMOND, VA – (Friday, January 18, 2013) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that Leigh Cowlishaw will return for his 14^th season as head coach in 2013.  Continuing the strong tradition of hiring from within the organization, he has named Ihor Dotsenko assistant coach and Sascha Görres player/assistant coach.

“I am looking forward to Ihor and Sascha joining the coaching staff for the 2013 season,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer.  “Both individuals understand the ingredients required to develop a winning team, having been part of many successful pro teams as players.  Both are extremely analytical and bring an enormous amount of knowledge and expertise to all areas of the pro team set up.”

Kickers Re-sign Defender Shane Johnson

Shane Johnson (courtesy of Scott Quarforth)

RICHMOND, VA - (Monday, October 1, 2012) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that defender Shane Johnson has signed a multi-year contract that will commence with the 2013 season.

“Shane had a very productive rookie season and we are delighted that he has agreed to sign a long term contract with the Kickers,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “We believe Shane has the talent and desire to one day play in Major League Soccer and look forward to working together to make that a reality.”

Making an immediate impact with the starting lineup, Johnson started all 22 games played in his debut season.  Notching his first professional goal on June 1, 2012 against the Harrisburg City Islanders, the native of Ashburn, also contributed to eight shutouts.  

The 22-year old defender joined with the Kickers in 2012 after a standout collegiate career at Longwood University.  Doubling as an offensive force with three goals and six assists, the stalwart defender contributed to 17 shutouts in 71 appearances.  Named NSCAA Second Team Men’s Soccer Scholar All-East Region following his senior season, he is a three-time Longwood Scholar Athlete and a Second Team All-Atlantic Soccer Conference honoree.

Richmond Name Leigh Cowlishaw Interim Head Coach

RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, August 7, 2012) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that Leigh Cowlishaw has been named men’s soccer interim head coach at the University of Richmond, effectively immediately.  Cowlishaw replaces Clint Peay, who resigned to accept a coaching position with the U17 U.S. Men’s National Team.  He will continue to act as head coach of the Richmond Kickers USL PRO team as well as the club’s Director of Soccer in addition to taking the helm of Spider men’s soccer this fall.

“I am honored that the University of Richmond asked me to guide them through this difficult transition period,” said Cowlishaw. “The challenge of producing a winning season, coupled with a return to my alma mater, was an opportunity I could not pass up.”

“I would like to thank the Kickers Board of Directors for allowing me the opportunity to take this interim position,” he added.  I feel confident that my role as Director of Soccer will only be enhanced by the experiences and challenges I will encounter over the next four months.”

Leigh Cowlishaw

Cowlishaw, a native of Burton-on-Trent, England, was a forward for the Spiders from 1990-93. He earned CAA Player of the Year honors as a freshman in 1990, also receiving All-America honors that season. Cowlishaw led the Spiders to their first CAA title and first NCAA Tournament berth in his freshman campaign.

The Spiders' all-time leader in goals (54), assists (31) and points (139), Cowlishaw was a two-time Academic All-American. He holds Richmond's top-two single season marks in points, goals and assists and was also named to the CAA Silver Anniversary men’s soccer team in 2009.

“We are grateful to Coach Cowlishaw for agreeing to step in to assist with our men’s soccer program,” commented LaRee Sugg, University of Richmond Associate Athletic Director.  “He brings with him a great affection and respect for the University as well as a desire to win that will be contagious among our student-athletes. We look forward to him being a positive influence on our young men during his tenure with our program.“

A cornerstone for the Spiders’ men’s soccer program, Richmond named an award in Cowlishaw’s honor following his graduation. The Leigh Cowlishaw Hall of Fame Award was bestowed upon a Spider men’s soccer student-athlete who demonstrated outstanding play and dedication throughout his athletic career at Richmond. The award was presented annually from 1995-2008. Cowlishaw was inducted into the University of Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame with the Class of 2001, becoming the first soccer student-athlete to be selected.

An integral member of the Richmond Kickers franchise since the club’s inception in 1993, Cowlishaw has acted as Head Coach of the Kickers professional team since 2000, compiling an overall record of 203-103-73 over 13 seasons.

Under Cowlishaw’s guidance, the Kickers have qualified for postseason play 11 of the past 12 seasons, reaching the league title match six times (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010) and claiming the USL crown twice (2006 and 2009).  Having also achieved significant success in the U.S. Open Cup, he won the tournament title as a player in 1995 and has since led the team to four quarterfinal appearances (2001, 2004, 2007, 2011) and a remarkable semifinal finish in 2011.  Ousting five Major League Soccer teams along the way, including Colorado Rapids in 2000, D.C. United in 2004, LA Galaxy in 2007 and Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City in 2011, the Kickers became the first lower division team to defeat back-to-back MLS teams on the road.

Cowlishaw’s success on the field is matched by numerous awards off the field, helping to guide the club to five USL Organization of the Year awards (1995, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2009).  Following the 2006 and 2009 seasons, he was named FieldTurf USL-2 Coach of the Year and was a USL Coach of the Year finalist six consecutive seasons (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).  In 2009, Cowlishaw was honored for his achievements by being inducted into the USL Hall of Fame in the Coach Category.

As Director of Soccer, Cowlishaw provides technical direction and guidance for all levels of the Kickers organization and serves on the Richmond Kickers Board of Directors.  Integral in establishing the Richmond Kickers youth club in 2000, he now works closely with the technical staff to oversee nearly 8,000 youth soccer players in programs sponsored by the Kickers and partner clubs.

As a professional player (1993-1998), Cowlishaw helped the Kickers win the “Double” with the U.S. Open Cup and the Premier League Championships in 1995.  He resides in sixth place on the Kickers all-time goals scored list (19) and all-time points list (49) and is a Kickers top 10 career leader in assists (11).  Cowlishaw is the only player to play under every coach in Kickers franchise history and in September of 1999, he was honored as the first player to have his number (13) retired. 

A national search for a permanent University of Richmond men’s soccer head coach is scheduled to begin following the 2012 fall season.

McLean, Richmond look to defend Division from Carolina Clubs

This article is re-posted with the express permission of TopDrawerSoccer.com 
(Click here for original article)

Carolina clubs ready to hunt Virginia sides

Article Written by Travis Clark, ESNN

With the Development Academy spring schedule about to kick into a high gear, there is going to be a tight race in the U18 Atlantic Division.

McLean Youth Soccer is currently top of the table with 26 points and an undefeated record of 8-0-2, and will look to hold off the challenge of CASL, Charlotte Soccer Academy, NC Fusion and North Meck SC, who all begin a heavy slate of action in the next two weeks.

Of course, the coaches themselves are fairly nonplussed about how the schedule breaks down in their particular division.

"There's not too much we can do about that," CASL Chelsea U18 Coach Carlos Somoano told TopDrawerSoccer.com. "We're kind of where we are, they're where they are, they're kind of towards the end of their season, we feel like we just got started."

Right now, that quartet of North Carolina-based teams are preparing to begin the chase, as the Virginia pair of McLean and Richmond Kickers currently sit first and second at the top of the division.

The Kickers, sitting on 18 points with a record of 6-6, finished the February part of its schedule with two straight wins, and hope to maintain sight of a playoffs spot.

But regardless of that, they've been pleased with how things have gone this year.

"We've had gradual improvement overall, certainly by the results they've had a lot more success on the field and the main reason for that is we played so much better over the last three months," assistant coach Leigh Cowlishaw told TopDrawerSoccer.com. "I think it has a lot to do with improved confidence from the team, understanding the style of play we've committed to, and players who've stepped up and played better soccer."

Holding off the challenge from the four very talented NC teams won't be easy, especially since the Virginia clubs won't play again until June. CASL, who won the division last year, boast UNC-bound talents like Alex Olofson and Nick Williams, while also relying on players like McAmos Paye (heading to Creighton) and Joaquin Del Rosario (NC State).

But that won't stop the NC Fusion, North Meck or Charlotte from throwing in the towel. The Fusion, who lost defender Jonathan Campbell to early enrollment at UNC, is hoping to live up to lofty expectations.

"Our emphasis is on the performances, the results are important but at the same time, they're not everything," head coach Marc Nicholls told TopDrawerSoccer.com. "We certainly expect this team is a team that should be in the playoffs and right now I think you'd have to say that we're on the bubble for that."

One thing is for sure as the chase heats up - when any of the two teams in North Carolina clash, it's going to be a spectacle, especially with what's at stake in the standings.

"Those games are great, very competitive, one game over the weekend so all of your preparation can do into that one challenge," Nicholls said of the Carolina matches. "We're able to scout each other a little bit and plan accordingly. I think they are the games players and the coaches look forward to the most, but in the right spirit."

Regardless of how those games shake out, McLean will have a final chance to seal the top spot, with four games scheduled for June, all at home against the four teams from North Carolina.

 U-18 Atlantic Division Standings

Kickers name GK Ronnie Pascale Player/Assistant for 2012

Official Kickers Press Release:

RICHMOND, VA – (Monday, February 13, 2012) – The Richmond Kickers continue their strong tradition of hiring from within the organization, naming veteran goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale player/assistant coach for the 2012 season, pending USL and USSF approval.

“Ronnie is a welcome addition to the pro team coaching staff as he brings extensive playing and coaching experience to our squad,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “He understands firsthand the expectations, tradition and culture we demand from our players and I look forward to working closely with him this season to produce a team capable of winning a Championship.”

"I'm excited to play one more season with the Kickers and finish my professional career here in Richmond,” added Pascale.  “It's been an amazing journey and to be able to play my last year while celebrating the Kickers 20th Anniversary means a lot.”

“I'm very grateful to Leigh and the Kickers organization for selecting me for the assistant coach role, and I'm looking forward to a successful 2012 campaign,” continued Pascale.  “I know it's going to be an extremely fun season for the Kickers and our fans, and I'm just happy to be a part of it and to be able to play one more season in front of my family and the best fans in the league."

A franchise player entering his 13^th season with the Kickers, Pascale has been Richmond’s starting goalkeeper since 2002, logging over 25,000 minutes in a Kickers uniform.  Consistently one of the top netminders in the league, Pascale backstopped the team to the USL PRO and U.S. Open Cup Semifinals in 2011, ending the campaign with a miniscule 0.960 goals against average in 30 games played.  Shoring up one of the best defensive units in the league, the experienced goalkeeper led the back line to a career-best 11 shutouts in 2011, while allowing just 29 goals on the season.  The longtime Kickers veteran tops the all-time games played list with 279 appearances and is a three-time USL Goalkeeper of the Year, honored in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

Named Southern Conference Rookie of the Year in 1995, Pascale was a four-year starter at Furman University and was named to the Southern All-Conference team four times, Conference Goalkeeper of the year three times, and was twice named to the Second Team All-South.  After his senior season, Pascale was named the Furman Male Athlete of the Year (1998/99).

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Kickers sign former FC Dallas forward



Jason Yeisley | Photo property of Matthew Visinsky

 RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, December 6, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that former FC Dallas forward and USL PRO All-League player Jason Yeisley recently signed a long-term contract, pending USSF approval.     

“This is a significant signing for the Kickers,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “Securing the talents of one of the best forwards in USL PRO is a sign of our ambition to strengthen our squad and improve upon last season’s performance.  Jason was our number one target in the off-season and we are delighted he has agreed to a long term contract.”

Drafted by FC Dallas in the third round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, Yeisley made six appearances with the Major League Soccer Club, making his professional debut on April 22 against the Seattle Sounders, before signing with the Kickers USL PRO rivals Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2011.  Earning USL PRO All-League Second Team honors last season, the 6’1” native of Allentown, PA led the Riverhounds with five goals and two assists for 12 points logging over 1,600 minutes on the campaign.

Yeisley posted 63 career games at Penn State University, tallying 24 goals and 16 assists over four seasons.  Finishing his senior season tied for second on the team in scoring with eight goals and five assists en route to an undefeated regular season home record, the two-time All Big Ten Conference First Team selection was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.