2012 Richmond Kickers season

The 2012 Richmond Kickers season was the club's twentieth season of existence. It was the Kicker's sixth-consecutive year in the third-tier of American soccer, playing in the USL Professional Division for their second season.

Richmond Kickers
2012 season
Owner Rob Ukrop
Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw
StadiumCity Stadium
USL Pro4th
USL Pro PlayoffsFirst round
U.S. Open CupThird round
Highest home attendance5,014
vs. D.C. United (May 29
U.S. Open Cup)
Lowest home attendance2,273
vs. Harrisburg (May 12
USL Pro Regular Season)
Average home league attendanceLeague: 2,433
Playoffs: 1,441
Cup: 5,014

After a slow start for the first two-thirds of the regular season, a four-match winning streak catapulted the Kickers into the top half of the table, thus qualifying them for the playoffs, making it the ninth consecutive season that the Kickers made the playoffs of any league they were participating in. In the first round of the playoffs, Richmond lost 3–2 by the Wilmington Hammerheads thus ending their postseason ambitions.

Richmond also reached the third round of the 2012 U.S. Open Cup, where in extra time, they lost to Major League Soccer side, D.C. United.

Background

The 2011 campaign marked the Kickers' debut in the newly created USL Pro League, which assumed the role as the third division of American soccer. During the regular season, Richmond finished third in their division and third in the overall table, making it the first time since 2005 that the Kickers did not finish the regular season either as the regular season champion or finalist. In the playoffs, the Kickers were eliminated by Commissioner's Cup winners and eventual USL Pro champions, Orlando City.[1]

Outside of league play, Richmond made one of their deepest runs in the U.S. Open Cup, the domestic knockout cup competition.[2] The Kickers reached the semifinals of the tournament after knocking out two Major League Soccer clubs, Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City in the third round and quarterfinals, respectively.[3] The last time Richmond reached the semifinals of the Open Cup was in 1995, when the Kickers won their lone U.S. Open Cup title.[4]

Off the field, the Kicker organization posted their fourth highest average attendance in club history.

Review

Offseason

On December 6, 2011, the Kickers signed Pittsburgh Riverhounds' Jason Yeisley on a free transfer.[5]

From January 20–22, the Kickers hosted their fourteenth player combine and had open tryouts.[6]

On January 30, 2012, the club announced their preseason schedule, which included fixtures against several local college soccer teams.[7]

Preseason

The Kickers are expected to begin preseason training camp in February.

April

The Richmond Kickers opened the regular season with home and away fixtures against long-time rivals, Charleston Battery, and the defending USL Pro regular season and postseason champions, Orlando City, earning a win, a draw and two losses during the four-match span. Richmond's home opener was on April 7 against Charleston in front of a crowd of 5,009. The Kickers suffered a 2–1 home defeat to the Battery thanks to a pair of goals from Charleston's Jose Cuevas, who netted in the 41st and 67th minutes of the match. The Kickers lone goal came from Stanley Nyazamba, who tallied for the home side in the 65th minute. The following weekend, the Kickers traveled south to Charleston, South Carolina to play the Battery at their home venue, Blackbaud Stadium. In front of a sold-out crowd of 4,729, the Kickers earned a last-minute, 2–1 victory over the Battery thanks to a goal from longtime defender, Sascha Görres.[8] The Kickers' other goal came from Nyazamba, who netted his second of the campaign.

On April 21, the Kickers returned home to take on the defending USL Pro champions, Orlando City, who had been hot off a 2–0–0 start. In front of a crowd of 3,169; the Kickers were shutout at home by Orlando, as they suffered a second-straight home defeat, losing 2–0 in the process. City's two goals both came in the second half off a 61st-minute strike from Luke Boden, and an 89th minute penalty kick from Anthony Pulis. The return leg was the following weekend, where Richmond ended Orlando's six-matching winning streak (including last season), where the Kickers drew City 0–0 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.[9]

Competitions

Preseason

February 25, 2012 Preseason 1Richmond Kickers3–0James Madison DukesRichmond, Virginia
18:30 EDT Stadium: Ukrop Park
March 3, 2012 Preseason 2Richmond Kickers1–2VCU RamsRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Stadium: Ukrop Park
Attendance: 500
March 17, 2012 Preseason 4Richmond Kickers1–1North Carolina Tar HeelsRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Delicâte  47' Report Walters  34' Stadium: Ukrop Park
Attendance: 500
Referee: Mike Andrews
Note: 2012 Pro-Am Challenge
March 23, 2012 Preseason 5Richmond Kickers0–0William & Mary TribeRichmond, Virginia
17:00 EDT Report Stadium: Ukrop Park
Attendance: 500
March 25, 2012 Preseason 6Richmond Kickers4–0Old Dominion MonarchsRichmond, Virginia
17:00 EDT Delicâte  6'
Nyazamba  23'
Foglesong  54'
MacKenzie  58'
Report Stadium: Ukrop Park
Attendance: 450
March 28, 2012 Preseason 7Richmond Kickers1–0Longwood LancersRichmond, Virginia
19:00pm EDT Nyazamba  36' Stadium: Ukrop Park
Note: Match abandoned in the 65th minute due to severe weather
March 31, 2012 Preseason 8Richmond Kickers0–2Maryland TerrapinsRichmond, Virginia
14:00 EDT Report Mullins  67', 76' Stadium: City Stadium

USL Pro regular season

Standings

Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Orlando City SC (C) 24 17 6 1 50 18 +32 57 Commissioner's Cup, Playoffs 1st round bye
2 Rochester Rhinos (A) 24 12 5 7 27 23 +4 41 Playoffs 1st round bye
3 Charleston Battery (A) 24 12 2 10 36 26 +10 38 Playoffs
4 Richmond Kickers (A) 24 11 5 8 31 27 +4 38
5 Wilmington Hammerheads (A) 24 10 7 7 34 32 +2 37
6 Harrisburg City Islanders (A) 24 10 7 7 34 29 +5 37
7 Charlotte Eagles 24 11 3 10 34 26 +8 36
8 Los Angeles Blues 24 9 3 12 26 29 3 30
9 Dayton Dutch Lions 24 4 10 10 20 29 9 22
10 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 24 4 5 15 20 39 19 17
11 Antigua Barracuda 24 5 1 18 16 50 34 16
Source: USL Pro official standings
Rules for classification: Points, then tiebreak: 1) Head-to-head record based on total points in League games, 2) Total wins in League games, 3) Goal difference in League games, 4) Goals scored in League games, etc.[10]
(A) Advances to USL Pro Playoffs; (C) Commissioner's Cup (best regular season record).

Match reports

April 7, 2012 Match 1Richmond Kickers1–2Charleston BatteryRichmond, Virginia
17:00 EDT Nyazamba  65'
Görres  70'
Report Cuevas  41', 67'
Richter  80'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,009
Referee: Moo Hackett
April 14, 2012 Match 2Charleston Battery1–2Richmond KickersCharleston, South Carolina
19:30 EDT Paterson  19'
Falvey  61'
Report Nyazamba  61'  79'
Callahan  81'
Görres  90'
Stadium: Blackbaud Stadium
Attendance: 4,729 (SO)
Referee: Sky Arthur Benning
April 21, 2012 Match 3Richmond Kickers0–2Orlando CityRichmond, Virginia
17:00 EDT Callahan  69' Report Molino  31'
Boden  61'
Pulis  89' (pen.)
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,169
Referee: Mark Gorak
April 28, 2012 Match 4Orlando City0–0Richmond KickersOrlando, Florida
19:30 EDT Ustruck  75' Report Kalungi  49'
Bulow  83'
Stadium: Citrus Bowl
Attendance: 7,899
Referee: Marcos C. Deoliveira
May 5, 2012 Match 5Dayton Dutch Lions1–1Richmond KickersBellbrook, Ohio
19:30 EDT Bardsley  2'
Preciado  29'
Bartels  61'
Holloway  75'
DeGroot  90'
Report Hiroyama  54'
Bulow  90' (pen.)
Stadium: Miami Valley South Stadium
Attendance: 1,012
Referee: Andrey Castel
May 12, 2012 Match 6Richmond Kickers2–2Harrisburg City IslandersRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Delicâte  8'
Agorsor  11'  78'
Report Noone  9'
Pelletier  44'
Langley  58'
Ekra  80'
Welker  89'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,273
Referee: Andrew Chapin
May 19, 2012 Match 7Pittsburgh Riverhounds1–1Richmond KickersBridgeville, Pennsylvania
19:00 EDT Smith  45'
Harada  69'
Report Pascale  31'
Delicâte  71'
Foglesong  77'
Stadium: Chartiers Valley High School
Attendance: 897
Referee: John Douglass
May 26, 2012 Match 8Richmond Kickers3–1Wilmington HammerheadsRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Bulow  69'
Agorsor  90'
Agorsor  90'
Report Budnyy  18' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,346
Referee: Matt Franz
June 1, 2012 Match 9Harrisburg City Islanders1–1Richmond KickersHarrisburg, Pennsylvania
19:00 EDT Brandt  67'
Pettis  79'
Basso  84'
Report Johnson  68'  70' Stadium: Skyline Sports Complex
Referee: Michael Piercey
June 2, 2012 Match 10Rochester Rhinos0–1Richmond KickersRochester, New York
19:05 EDT Kirk  13'
Cost  61'
Fernandez  90'
Report Vercollone  5' Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium
Attendance: 5,237
Referee: David Mon
June 9, 2012 Match 11Richmond Kickers1–0Charlotte EaglesRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Bulow  90' Report Grousis  90' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,193
Referee: Mark Gorak
June 15, 2012 Match 12Wilmington Hammerheads2–1Richmond KickersWilmington, North Carolina
19:30 EDT Budnyy  16'
Evans  23'
Hertzog  29'
Cole  38'
Nicholson  65'
Report Agorsor  6' Stadium: Legion Field
Attendance: 3,371
Referee: David McPhun
June 16, 2012 Match 13Charlotte Eagles4–1Richmond KickersCharlotte, North Carolina
20:00 EDT Thornton  24'
Kabwe  65'
Ferrer  86'
Meza  90+'
Report Agorsor  19'
Vercollone  81'
Stadium: Charlotte Christian Stadium
Attendance: 1,447
Referee: Jordan Shaw
June 23, 2012 Match 14Richmond Kickers2–3Rochester RhinosRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Vercollone  8'
Callahan  45'
Yeisley  81'
Pascale  90'
Report Brito  27'
Earls  42'
Tanke  59'
Hoxie  85'
Banks  90'
Nicht  90'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,365
Referee: Shawn Fitch
July 3, 2012 Match 15Richmond Kickers1–0Los Angeles BluesRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Heins  66' Report Russell  60'
Miller  79'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,424
Referee: Charles Carson
July 7, 2012 Match 16Wilmington Hammerheads1–0Richmond KickersWilmington, North Carolina
19:30 EDT Parratt  20'
Hertzog  66'
Musa  73'
Report Heins  23'
Kalungi  45'  86'
Delicâte  73'
Stadium: Legion Field
Attendance: 3,909
Referee: Abbes Mansour-Hafifi
July 13, 2012 Match 17Richmond Kickers3–1Pittsburgh RiverhoundsRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT William  37'
Calvano  45' (o.g.)
Delicâte  73'  86' (pen.)
Report Kassel  56'  90' (pen.)
Smith  69'
Costanzo  90+2'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,641
July 21, 2012 Match 18Richmond Kickers2–0Dayton Dutch LionsRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Heins  11'
Davies  33'
Delicâte  90' (pen.)
Report Williams  48'
DeLass  85'
Bardsley  90'
Jeff DeGroot  90'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,510
Referee: Jim Sadowski
July 27, 2012 Match 19Charlotte Eagles1–0Richmond KickersCharlotte, North Carolina
19:00 EDT Devon Grousis  23'
Roberts  52'  80'
Report Stadium: Charlotte Christian Stadium
Attendance: 581
Referee: Matt Jozaitis
July 28, 2012 Match 20Richmond Kickers2–1Charlotte EaglesRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT William  13', 56'
Vercollone  42'
Report Herrera  73'  75' Stadium: City Stadium
Referee: Matthew Franz
August 3, 2012 Match 21Richmond Kickers2–0Antigua BarracudaRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Gerson dos Santos  84'
Delicâte  90'
Report Blakely  32' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,907
Referee: Jeff Davis
August 11, 2012 Match 22Richmond Kickers2–1Harrisburg City IslandersRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Nyazamba  13'
Agorsor  44'
Kalungi  56'
Yomby William  78'
Report Yomby William  15' (o.g.)
Welker  86'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,922
Referee: Bill Dittmar
August 17, 2012 Match 23Antigua Barracuda0–1Richmond KickersSaint George Parish, Antigua and Barbuda
19:00 EDT Blakely  47'
Christian  71'
Report Bulow  61' Stadium: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Attendance: 400
Referee: Curtis Charles
August 19, 2012 Match 24Antigua Barracuda2–1Richmond KickersSaint George Parish, Antigua and Barbuda
19:00 EDT Griffith  1'
Burton  38'
Report Agorsor  90+2' Stadium: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Attendance: 381
Referee: Brian Willet

USL Pro Playoffs

August 25, 2012 (2012-08-25) First roundRichmond Kickers2–3Wilmington HammerheadsRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Yeisley  12'
Elcock  79'
Report
Report
Briggs  57'
Chirishian  69'
Perry  72'
Guzman  90'
Parratt  90+3'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,441
Referee: Charles Carson

U.S. Open Cup

May 29, 2012 Third roundRichmond Kickers 1–2 (a.e.t.) D.C. UnitedRichmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Nyazamba  45' (pen.) Report Salihi  24'
Saragosa  107'
Kitchen  111'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,014
Referee: Kai Goodrich

Statistics

Appearances and goals

No. Pos Nat Player TotalRegular Season[11]Playoffs[12]U.S. Open Cup[13][14]
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
0 GK Josh Pantazelos 00000000
1 GK Ryan Jones 00000000
2 DF Yomby William 2041841010
3 DF Shane Johnson 2211911020
4 DF Luke Vercollone 2722421020
5 MF Ryan Heins 2622321020
7 FW Matthew Delicâte 2151951010
8 MF Gerson dos Santos 2622311021
9 MF Nozomi Hiroyama 2211901021
10 MF David Bulow 2041940010
11 MF Edson Elcock 2011801110
14 MF Bobby Foglesong 1301200010
15 MF Chris Agorsor 2482161022
16 FW Ross MacKenzie 40400000
17 FW Jason Yeisley 2221911120
18 FW Long Tan 10100000
19 MF Michael Burke 80701000
20 MF Philippe Davies 60600000
21 MF Michael Callahan 1701600010
22 GK Ronnie Pascale 2702401020
23 DF Sascha Görres 2712411020
24 DF Ethan White 60600000
25 DF Henry Kalungi 1901701010
99 MF Stanley Nyazamba 2141931011

Top scorers

Ranking Position Nation Number Name USL Pro U.S. Open Cup Playoffs Total
1 FW 15 Christopher Agorsor 6 2 0 8
2 FW 7 Matthew Delicâte 5 0 0 5
3 DF 2 Yomby William 4 0 0 4
MF 10 David Bulow 4 0 0 4
MF 99 Stanley Nyazamba 3 1 0 4
4 DF 4 Luke Vercollone 2 0 0 2
MF 5 Ryan Heins 2 0 0 2
MF 8 Gerson dos Santos 1 1 0 2
FW 17 Jason Yeisley 1 0 1 2
5 DF 3 Shane Johnson 1 0 0 1
MF 9 Nozomi Hiroyama 0 1 0 1
MF 11 Edson Elcock 0 0 1 1
DF 23 Sascha Görres 1 0 0 1

Disciplinary record

Position Nation Number Name USL Pro USL Pro Playoffs Open Cup Total (USSF Total)
TOTALS

Transfers

In

No. Pos. Player Transferred From Fee/Notes Date Source
17 FW Jason Yeisley Pittsburgh Riverhounds Free December 6, 2011 [5]
3 DF Shane Johnson Longwood Lancers Free March 9, 2012 [15]
15 FW Chris Agorsor Real Salt Lake Free April 26, 2012 [16]
20 MF Philippe Davies Vancouver Whitecaps Free July 13, 2012 [17]

Out

No. Pos. Player Transferred To Fee/Notes Date Source
12 MF Shaka Bangura Anagennisi Dherynia Free January 12, 2012 [18]
12 MF Jamel Wallace Wilmington Hammerheads Free February 15, 2013 [19]
15 MF Evan Harding Unattached
17 MF Dave Hertel Unattached

Loan In

No. Pos. Player Loaned From Start End Source
24 DF Ethan White D.C. United Loan June 14, 2012 [20]
18 FW Long Tan D.C. United Loan July 13, 2012 [21]

Loan Out

No. Pos. Player Loaned To Start End Source
25 DF Henry Kalungi Proline October 3, 2011 February 3, 2012 [22]

See also

References

  1. "Official Match Information: Richmond Kickers 0–3 Orlando City". United Soccer Leagues. USLPro.USLSoccer.com. August 27, 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  2. Barnhart, Gerald (July 8, 2011). "2011 U.S. Open Cup: Richmond Kickers are 'The Last Men Standing'". TheCup.us. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  3. "Kickers surprise MLS foe in U.S. Open Cup third-round match". Richmond Times–Dispatch. TimesDispatch.com. June 28, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  4. Dorr, Jr., Vic (July 14, 2011). "Kickers show grit in victory". Richmond Times–Dispatch. TimesDispatch.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  5. "Kickers Land Yeisley: Former FC Dallas and USL PRO All-League Star Signs with Richmond". RichmondKickers.com. December 6, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  6. "Kickers Pro Tryouts Jan 20–22". RichomondKickers.com. September 30, 2011. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  7. "Preseason Schedule Announced: Local Favorites, NCAA Champions and ACC Powerhouse Featured". RichmondKickers.com. January 30, 2012. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  8. "Goerres' Late Goal Lifts Kickers". USL Pro. USLSoccer.com. April 14, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  9. "Draw with Richmond keeps Orlando City undefeated". WFTV 9 News. WFTV.com. April 30, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  10. See Rule 2.11 League Regulations
  11. "Richmond Kickers 2012 Statistics". uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-15. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  12. "Official Match Information Wilmington Hammerheads at Richmond Kickers". uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  13. LaRoue, Jimmy. "2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Richmond Kickers defeat Aegean Hawks 4-0 to earn rematch with DC United". thecup.us. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  14. "KICKERS FALL IN OPEN CUP". richmondkickers.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  15. "KICKERS BOLSTER DEFENSE". richmondkickers.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  16. "NEED FOR SPEED". richmondkickers.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  17. "KICKERS SIGN THREE". richmondkickers.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  18. "Δεύτερη μετεγγραφική περίοδος / ενημέρωση". sigmalive.com/. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  19. "Hammerheads Head to Turkey for Preseason Tour". wilmingtonhammerheads.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  20. "Ethan White loaned to the Richmond Kickers". dcunited.com. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  21. "Trio loaned out for weekend matches". dcunited.com. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  22. "Kalungi Goes On Loan To Proline". United Soccer Leagues. USLPro.USLSoccer.com. October 3, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
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