Richmond Kickers News Release - www.richmondkickers.com

Saturday, July 31, 2015

RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium this Saturday, August 1 to host the Harrisburg City Islanders and Craft Beer Fest, presented by Loveland. With over 20 craft beers on tap, the pre-game party starts at 5:30 p.m. with live music by Lucas & Friends and RVA food trucks including southern comforts from Boom Boom Boca and Mediterranean-inspired fare from Sticks Kebob Shop, and the game kicks off at 7 p.m. Tickets including a beer or lemonade and a Kickers souvenir cup are on sale now for $12 at RichmondKickers.com.

With a rivalry spanning a decade, the Kickers hold an all-time series record of 15-4-7 over the City Islanders. The Kickers swept the three game regular season series in 2014, but were ousted from the Semifinal Round of the 2014 USL Playoffs at City Stadium when the City Islanders dramatically upended the host team, 3-2.

Most recently, the Kickers suffered a 4-3 loss to the New York Red Bulls II at Red Bull Arena. A first-half brace by forward Jason Yeisley and an 88th-minute tally by Nate Shiffman were not enough for the Kickers to overcome a frenetic first half that saw five goals to drop three points on the road.

Meanwhile, a 10-men City Islanders rallied behind three unanswered second half goals led by Jason Plumhoff and Craig Foster to edge cross state rivals Pittsburgh last week. The 4-3 victory pulled Harrisburg level with Pittsburgh at 25 points apiece in the Eastern Conference Standings.

Swapping home field advantage, the Kickers and City Islanders meet for the second time in seven days when the Kickers travel to Harrisburg on Saturday, August 8 to close out the two-game series.

Players to Watch

Kickers: Midfielder Nate Shiffman added back-to-back goals with the Kickers’ lone tally against the Premier League’s West Bromwich Albion and a late goal against the New York Red Bulls II.  The native of Midlothian, Va. and former James River High School standout signed with the Kickers prior to the 2015 campaign, following his rookie season with OKC Energy. Receiving International Clearance hours before the Kickers game in New York last week, defender Uriah Bentick made his first appearance with the Kickers at Red Bull Arena.  The native of Trinidad & Tobago was drafted by the Philadelphia Union in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft and then signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads in April where he made 15 appearances with the USL side. Forward Adam Bedell joined the Kickers last week on loan from Columbus Crew SC after making 16 Major League Soccer regular season appearances since being drafted by Crew SC in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. Leading the offense in the Fourth Round of the U.S. Open Cup in June at City Stadium, Bedell notched his first professional brace in the 3-1 win to oust the Kickers from the tournament. 

City Islanders:  Kickers defender Shane Johnson has made 14 appearances on loan to the Harrisburg City Islanders in 2015, contributing to five shutouts on the season. Johnson signed with the Kickers prior to the 2012 campaign, making 60 appearances in a Kickers uniform over three seasons. Midfielder Jason Plumhoff leads the team with five goals and four assists after adding a pair of tallies, including a stoppage time game-winner, against Pittsburgh last week, earning USL Player of the Week honors. Signing with Harrisburg in 2015, the Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year contributed 27 goals and 26 assists at La Salle University.  Joining Plumhoff on the Team of the Week, newcomer Craig Foster also earned a nod after adding two goals against Pittsburgh. A key member of the Jamaican National Team, Foster signed with Harrisburg in mid-July and has made an immediate impact, scoring three goals in his first three USL appearances.