Richmond Kickers News Release - www.richmondkickers.com

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Kickers host Wilmington Hammerheads FC at City Stadium this Friday night at 7 p.m. The pre-game party begins at 5:30 p.m. with Happy Hour specials, live music from Lucas & Friends, legendary RVA food trucks including Mediterranean-inspired fare from Sticks Kebob Shop and craft beer on tap. Happy Hour tickets, offering admission for two and two beers or lemonades are on sale now for $20 at RichmondKickers.com.

The Kickers take on the Hammerheads for the second time in three weeks after opening the 2015 campaign with a 2-2 draw on the road in Wilmington in March. Wilmington midfielders Troy Cole and Justin Moose gave the home side a two-goal lead inside the first 20 minutes, forcing the Kickers to rally back with a pair of goals on either side of the half, courtesy of Jalen Robinson and Matthew Delicâte.

Delicâte posted his second game-tying goal in as many weeks during the Kickers' home opener, as they earned a come-from-behind draw against Louisville on Saturday. Conceding an early goal, the Kickers once again relied on the club’s all-time leading scorer for the second-half equalizer.

Meanwhile, the Hammerheads also earned their second draw of the season when they played to a 1-1 tie against the expansion Charlotte Independence last week. Wilmington took the lead when Nick Zimmerman converted a penalty kick late in the first half but quickly squandered the advantage when Charlotte drew level with 20 minutes remaining in regulation.

Friday’s match marks the 28th meeting between the longtime rivals with the Kickers holding a slight edge over the Hammerheads with a 12-6-9 record.  The two clubs close out the three-game series in Richmond on Saturday, June 20.  Following Friday’s match, the Kickers return to City Stadium to host Charlotte on Saturday, April18.

Fans are encouraged to follow Friday’s game on social media at #RICvWIL and to join the players afterwards for the official post-game party at F.W. Sullivan’s in the Fan.

Players to Watch

Kickers: Anchoring the midfield in 29 games in 2014, Samuel Asante contributed two goals and three assists during his first season in Richmond. The native of Sunyani, Ghana spent the 2013 season with the Charlotte Eagles, making 21 appearances en route to the USL Championship Game. 

Having signed with the Kickers prior to the 2015 season, USL veteran Eli Garner made 66 appearances with the Dayton Dutch Lions over three seasons. The native of Hillsborough, N.C. made a late-season move to the Orange County Blues in August 2014 where he made five appearances and added one assist.

A franchise player in his 11th season with the Kickers, defender Sascha Görres has anchored Richmond’s starting lineup since the 2005 season, logging 21,500 minutes in a Kickers uniform.  A two-time USL All-League First Team honoree, two-time USL All-League Second Team honoree and 2008 USL Defender of the Year Finalist, he added an assist during last week’s 1-1 draw with Louisville and resides in second place on the club’s all-time career assists list with 50. 

Hammerheads: Earning USL Team of the Week honors for his well-taken volley against the Kickers in the season opening 2-2 draw, midfielder Justin Moose signed with the Hammerheads prior to the 2015 season. The MLS veteran was drafted by D.C. United out of Wake Forest University in 2006 before claiming a Championship title with the then-USL side Vancouver Whitecaps during a three-year stint. 

Forward Nick Zimmerman recently signed with the Hammerheads after spending four years with the Carolina RailHawks. The 2012 Most Valuable Player made 60 appearances with the RailHawks and tallied 21 goals after a brief stint with Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union.

Goalkeeper Larry Jackson signed with the New England Revolution for the 2014 season after concluding his collegiate career at Santa Clara University. He was named All-West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year in 2012 after leading the WCC with a 0.70 goals against average and six shutouts.

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