One Final Kick

Two weeks, two wins. That's all that separates the Richmond Kickers from reclaiming the USL2 crown. It all starts this Saturday at 7 PM at the University of Richmond Stadium as the Kickers take on rival Harrisburg City Islanders in a semifinal match that is sure to be a tough and physical affair. Should the boys in red advance this Saturday, they'll take on the winner of Charlotte and Wilmington in the USL2 Championship on Saturday, August 29 at a host site to be determined. The championship match will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel later that same night.

So, those are the details. It's a pretty straight forward task, but one that will take a great amount of talent, hard work, and a little bit of luck for sure. As you prepare to head to U of R stadium on Saturday to cheer the team on, be sure to chime in below for your choice for Supporter's Choice MVP. Official Ballots will also be available at the game this Saturday!

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Many Reasons to Celebrate this Saturday

As we are in the midst of our first real heat wave of the summer, it's hard to believe that we're already approaching the end of summer and the end of the Kickers season. But that doesn't mean we're winding down! In fact, it's quite the opposite, as the Kickers look to celebrate a home playoff game and a potential regular season championship this Saturday at U of R Stadium. This will be the team's final regular season match, and we're going out in style by hosting our Second Annual Family Fest starting at 4 PM! A full list of vendors and activities can be seen here on our official website. But here are some highlights that will surely make the Festival even better than last year:

BOUNCE 2 THE MOON - The Chesterfield-based inflatable and game company returns to U of R Stadium with a full slate of activities on the upper concourse. The ever popular Adrenaline Rush Extreme obstacle course returns along with a Sports Arena, Jumbo Castle, Rocky River Log Roll, and Home Run Derby game.

LONG BRANCH PETTING ZOO - Long Branch Petting Zoo out of Amelia County is bringing a wide variety of adorable animals from 5-7 PM. The Petting Zoo will feature miniature horses, pygmy goats, llamas, and much more!

U-TURN ON-FIELD GAMES - From 4 until 6 PM, U-Turn will be hosting a number of different mini games on the field for kids of all ages.

CONCESSIONS SPECIALS - The kids will surely be hungry and thirsty from the mini games and inflatable games, so we're offering a great dinner combo special at the concessions stands. $5 for a hamburger/hot dog, chips and a drink before 7 PM!

SALVATION ARMY BAND - The Salvation Army Band will be out in full force, with a performance before the game, a live playing of the National Anthem, and a half-time performance.

TRACKLESS TRAIN - Back by popular demand will be the trackless train, also courtesy of Bounce 2 the Moon. Train rides will be running all afternoon on the upper concourse for those who want to take a relaxing tour of all of the fun and games going on at the stadium.

SUMO SUIT SOCCER - Bounce 2 the Moon is also bringing back one of the most popular half-time games of the year, Sumo Suit Soccer! Two lucky contestants will battle it out at half-time for a great gift from Dr. Babik and Crossridge Dentistry. Be sure to check out what will surely be an epic battle for Sumo Suit domination!

KICKERS PRO GAME - Of course, what would a Richmond Kickers Family Fest be without the actual game versus the Wilmington Hammerheads at 7 PM? The stakes for this one are at their highest, with the winner taking home the regular season championship. Be sure to wear red and get ready to be loud!

Kickers aid Rebels for Street Soccer Cup

Soccer has long been recognized for its ability to bring people together, whether individuals or entire nations. For the Richmond Rebels, soccer represents an opportunity to be with friends, with family, at home.

Community involvement is one of the cornerstones of the Richmond Kickers organization, so when the club became aware of a local homeless squad with big aspirations, it jumped at the opportunity to help in any way possible. Working in conjunction with Street Soccer USA, The Daily Planet and a host of other volunteers, the Richmond Kickers have provided training gear and coaching assistance to the Richmond Rebels homeless soccer team since early June.

Former Kickers star Rob Ukrop and assistant coach Jesse Myers have been heavily involved in the development of the team, meeting with the squad twice a week for hour-long training sessions.

“It is a wonderful program designed to give the players an opportunity to get into regular training habits that will improve fitness and provide them the chance to be part of a team that represents our community,” Ukrop said.

“It’s great to be able to reach out to the community and offer what help we can,” Myers added.

In addition to the training sessions and equipment, the Kickers have provided the Rebels with a first-class ride in the pro team's sleeper bus as they travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the fourth annual Street Soccer USA Cup.

The Street Soccer USA Cup, which will take place from July 31st to August 2nd, brings together homeless squads from 16 cities throughout the nation and pits them against each other in a 4-on-4 tournament. The top 8 players throughout the tournament will be selected for the US homeless national team and will take part in the Homeless World Cup in Milan, Italy this September.

Regardless of their performances in the Street Soccer USA Cup, the Rebels can take comfort in the community of support awaiting their return to Richmond. With the assistance provided by the Kickers and the numerous other organizations that have volunteered their time and efforts, these homeless men have experienced the uniting spirit of soccer and found their place in the community.

The Kickers will be among the first to welcome them home.

To follow the Rebels and other teams in the Street Soccer USA Cup, follow the live stream here.

Qdoba Corporate Tent Promotion this weekend!

Just $5.00 gets you special entry into the Kickers corporate tent this Saturday for an exclusive buffet, provided by Qdoba Mexican Grill!

Qdoba Mexican Grill combines fresh ingredients with delicious salsas and marinates to create original flavors you won't find anywhere else. Check out the Kickers corporate tent this Saturday, August 1st and try out Qdoba's delicious burritos, nachos, chips and salsa for just $5.00!

Come out to University of Richmond Stadium and enjoy the festivities for our Free Youth Night, then watch the Kickers as they take on the Real Maryland Monarchs at 7 p.m. See you there!

Tickets available for purchase on game day. Game ticket required for entry.

Open practice this Friday

Head down to the University of Richmond Stadium this Friday, July 24th at 6 p.m. to see the Richmond Kickers and Guatemalan champions CSD Comunicaciones as they practice in advance of this Saturday's game.

Fans are invited to watch as both teams that will be in action this weekend prepare for their historic exhibition. Players will be available for photos and autographs around 6:45 p.m. Don't miss out on the opportunity to meet some of your favorite players and see how they prepare for the big games.

We hope to see you there and also at the game on Saturday. Show up at 4 p.m. and enjoy great food and music at our Hispanic Heritage Festival. Help us make this weekend a great experience for our guests and hopefully we can continue to host international exhibitions in the future!

Poll: Favorite Halftime Activity

Cast your vote for your favorite halftime activity!

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Destiny Notch First Win

Following a difficult opening half of the season, the Richmond Kickers Destiny recorded their first win Thursday, June 25, against the Northern Virginia Majestics. The victory came at a time when many teams would have thrown in the towel, but the Destiny showed remarkable strength of will to deliver an inspired all-around performance.

The Destiny came out strong in the first half, nearly scoring on multiple occasions. Becca Wann was particularly effective in front of goal in the first half. The striker from Cosby High School latched onto a cross early in the game, but her header missed just wide. Wann had the ball in the back of the net on 18 minutes after beating the Majestics keeper to a well-placed long ball from Kimmy Cummings. However, Wann was adjudged to have used her hand rather than her head and the goal was called back. Wann was shown a yellow card for her troubles.

The Destiny kept up the offensive pressure throughout the game, but the team’s defensive effort was also strong, leading to their first clean sheet of the season. Allie Albright was in inspired form between the posts for the Destiny, recording five saves on the night, including a stop on a second half Majestics breakaway.

The defensive pressure continued throughout the second half, with the Destiny forcing the Majestics into numerous turnovers. Their efforts paid off in the 70th minute when left back Sarah Hilt stripped possession from the Majestics and looked up field to find second-half substitute Colleen Schohl with a diagonal ball. Schohl settled the ball and beat a defender before firing a left-footed strike toward the Majestics goal. Majestics keeper Olivia Brown got her hands on it, but could not do enough to keep the ball out of the net.

The Majestics turned up the pressure after Schohl’s tally, but the Destiny met the challenge admirably, with Albright rising highest to claim a long ball played into a box full of Majestics players eager to tie the game. The Destiny (1-7-1, 4 pts.) moved out of last place in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference with the win. The team will look to add to their points tally on the road against Tampa Bay Hellenic on Friday, July 3 before the return fixture at the University of Richmond Stadium on July 11.

Poll: Player of the Season

Who do you think has been the player of the season so far? Is it Deli or Bulow with their 5 goals a piece? Has Yomby impressed in his rookie season at the back? Or is it one of the old guard members like Ronnie or Burkey continuing his solid Kickers performances? Somebody we overlooked? You decide!

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Kick for 1,000 Update

At the time of publication, the fan page had more than 550 fans. We're well on our way to 1,000 free tickets for fans of the page. Hope to see you there for our game on the Fourth of July!

Destiny Update!

The past few weeks have been busy ones for the Destiny. While the ladies have unfortunately been unable to obtain the elusive first win, it has been an adventure all the same. Through practices, games, and long bus rides, there have already been some memorable moments this season.

1. The final goal of the opening game against the Cary Lady Clarets by Erin Liberatore off a rebound from Katie Carr’s shot in the 90th minute to give the Destiny the 3-3 tie.
2. The Atlanta Bread Company giving the Destiny a case of cold bottled water for the day when they stopped there for lunch prior to the May 30 game against the Silverbacks.
3. One of the players falling out of her bunk on the way back from Atlanta. The Destiny girls laughed at that one for awhile. (Don’t worry, she wasn’t hurt.)
4. Kimmy Cummings honking the bus’s horn to try and hurry Coach Jen Woodie up and scaring the girl sitting in the car next to the bus.
5. Some of the Destiny players trying to convince the people at Wendy’s to let them walk through the drive-thru since, while the inside was closed, the drive-thru was open until 2am, but the bus wouldn’t fit through the drive-thru. It didn’t work, but it was good for a laugh.

The Destiny re-match the Cary Lady Clarets this Saturday at Sport Backers Stadium at 7 PM. Come out and support your Richmond Kickers Destiny and help cheer them on to a victory!

Kickers seeking increased outreach through “Kick for 1,000”

We’re pleased to announce a tremendous increase in fans on our Facebook fan page over the past couple weeks. We’re closing in on 500 fans, but we’d love to see more! With that in mind, we’ve decided to create the “Kick for 1,000” contest on the Official Richmond Kickers fan page on Facebook. If the page reaches 1,000 fans by our July 4 home game against Charlotte Eagles, each fan of the page will be offered free admission to the game. It’s a win-win situation: As a fan, you’ll get all the latest news and information about the Kickers, and you’ll be privy to special promotions throughout the season. Become a fan today and invite your friends, too!

Open Cup Exit not hampering Kickers Ambition

The Richmond Kickers saw their US Open Cup hopes dashed this Tuesday after a rain-soaked 2-1 loss to USL First Division side Carolina Railhawks. Despite a good team effort by the Kickers to come from behind and tie the scoreline at one apiece at the half, an early second half strike from the men in orange proved to be too much. But the Kickers will take the loss in stride and shift their focus solely on the USL Division II title. Following their 5-0 rout of league leaders Harrisburg last Saturday, the Kickers jumped up the table four spots from seventh to third. The men in red and white will look to edge even closer to the top as they hit the road over the next couple weeks, the game against the Railhawks marking the first of a five-game road trip. The Kickers will return home just in time for an Independence Day face-off against the Charlotte Eagles. Hope to see you there!

Reminder: School's Out Festival this Saturday

Only a few more days until one of the biggest events we'll be hosting all summer. I am so excited about the School's Out Festival this Saturday I can hardly contain myself. That being the case, I've decided to give you a little preview of some of the awesome things to keep an eye out for. There will be dozens of vendors on the main concourse of University of Richmond Stadium, each offering information and special promotions for their respective businesses, but I'm most looking forward to the events on the field. In addition to the 7 p.m. Kickers game vs. current league leaders Harrisburg City Islanders, there will be tons of inflatables and other party games--including sumo suit soccer--provided by Bounce 2 the Moon. Take a look at some of the tremendously fun inflatables that will be available for you to romp around on, as well as some other attractions you should check out:
Adrenaline Rush Extreme
This 160-foot long Obstacle/Slide combo features squeeze walls, pop up obstacles, pop out obstacles, crawl throughs and rock climbs and two sets of double slides.

Sumo Suit Soccer
A new take on a classic. Dress up in sumo suits and take on your opponents in a hilarious game of soccer. Sure to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Trackless Train
This Train is fun for all occasions. The smiley face engine can go just about anywhere. You can fit up to 18 children on one ride and the great news is that Mom and Dad can go too!

Home Run Derby
Take a swing! Just like your favorite baseball players at the All-Star game only now you're in the batters box. Make it through the HR hole the most to become the Home Run Champ.

As you can see, this weekend promises to be a blast for the young and young at heart. Be sure to activate your Kickers Pro Pass by June 5 to have a chance at winning a new Nintendo DS Lite, courtesy of Play N Trade Carytown, at the Festival. As a final reminder, families arriving before 6 p.m. will be treated to a $5 group ticket pass. You're being rewarded to come have fun. Take advantage of it! See you Saturday!

If you can't make it, be sure to follow us on our Webcast here

Destiny Spotlight: Jen Woodie

Opening weekend for the Richmond Kickers Destiny was one full of activity. The Destiny opened their season on Friday, May 22 against the Cary Lady Clarets at Middle Creek Park in North Carolina. A hard-fought battle ended with a 3-3 tie between the Lady Clarets and the Destiny, with Katie Carr, Sinead Farrelly, and Erin Liberatore each contributing a goal. Official scoring credits Katie Carr with two of the Destiny’s three goals, but the players on the field, including Katie, maintain that Erin Liberatore scored the final goal of the game. She netted the rebound off Katie Carr’s shot that actually hit off the left post.

The Destiny quickly followed this performance with a game early Saturday afternoon at 2pm in Richmond against the Charlotte Lady Eagles. This second game of the weekend concluded with a 4-1 score in favor of the Lady Eagles. Samara Stephen-Dowd scored the Destiny’s lone goal of the day in the 47th minute. Following this first weekend of games, we caught up with Head Coach, Jen Woodie, to ask her a few questions about how she feels about the upcoming season.

Question: What are you most looking forward to this season?

Jen: I am looking forward to a very competitive division schedule and bringing together a new team. The W-League has transformed for the better because of the WPS. I am really excited to see the outcome this first year.

Q: What do you think will be the biggest challenge this season as a coach? As a team?

J: The biggest challenge this season as a coach is gaining experience as a young coach and putting together a basically brand new team. I think we have five veterans. We are very young, but I am looking forward to molding them and changing the mentality of the Destiny.
It is always a challenge when you bring in new people. You have to learn the style of play, your competition and the flow of it all. We are young, and it is just a matter of learning how one another plays. The more we play with each other in training and games, the more comfortable we will become.
As a team our biggest challenge is the lack of experience from being so young and full of new faces. Learning about the demands of this league is going to be our biggest obstacle.

Q: Do you think being a player-coach will help or hinder you as opposed to being focused on just being a coach? Why?

J: This is a tough question. At first, I was leaning more towards coaching more and playing when needed. I thought it would be less confusing for me as a new coach on the scene. Now I feel like my experience as a player can help the team in this time of transition. I have played in the W-League for five seasons now, going on six, and I think there is a lot of knowledge to be shared. It is a very demanding and super competitive summer, and I want the Destiny to be in the post season. Providing leadership, whether on the field or off is my main goal. With the first weekend under my belt, I am confident that I can stay focused on the vision for this team either way.

Q: The Destiny have a young team this year, do you see that as a strength, a weakness, or both? Why?

J: I think it is a little bit of both. It is a weakness because it is hard to explain the physical demands, higher level of playing, and all around competitive vibe that the league gives off. It is hard to jump in with both feet blind, and come out standing on the other side.
That being said, it is a strength because being naive is a huge advantage. The new players don't care who is on the other side of the ball, they are just looking to play hard and prove themselves. Regardless of who the "favorite" is, or who is undefeated. It is a play hard or go home type of mentality that I love. It is a great quality to have mixed into the team.

Q: What effect does having primarily new players have on team chemistry?

J: Having been with the team for three weeks now, I think having a mix of new and old, high school and college, is awesome! It is a breath of fresh air when you have new personalities and comments. I think this is what the Destiny needed, and the summer is only going to get better. The veterans have definitely taken some initiative to take some of the young guns under their wing, and in turn some of the younger players have lifted the level of competition in practice and in games. We get the best of both worlds, and it is a blend that is hard to coach. I think we just have a great group of young women who are dedicated to fighting together, learning from each other and competing until the end.

Q: Who do you think are some players to watch?

J: One player to watch is Sinead Farrelly. She is an outstanding central midfielder from UVA who plays the game with such grace. She is smooth on the ball, full of ideas, and sees the game so well. The game seems effortless when you watch it through Sinead's eyes. She is a great person on and off of the field, always smiling, and I expect great things from her throughout the summer. Another player to watch is Erin Liberatore. She seems to be a bit under the radar, but she is definitely not one to overlook. She is a quick, unpredictable forward with a lot of tricks up her sleeve. Erin is strong on the ball and powers through everything. She gives her all every game and makes special things happen in our offensive third. She is one of the new faces on our team and will start her college career in August at William & Mary.

Q: Who do you think will have the biggest impact offensively? Defensively?

J: It is tough to choose just one person, but if I had to choose I think offensively Sinead has the ability to create the most havoc and impact the game in more ways. Defensively I think Katie Carr is going to add presence, leadership and a mental toughness that will be tough to get past.

Q: Is there anyone on the team who stands out as a leader? Why?

J: I would say that Katie Carr stands out as a leader to me on and off of the field. She is one of the veterans, having played with the Destiny for a few seasons, and she has the ability to demand more out of herself and her teammates. She is not afraid to be vocal and lift the team when needed. Her experience and physical presence spreads confidence throughout the team. Katie is one of the anchors in the back line and a staple for our team this summer.

Q: What are your goals for yourself this season?

J: One of my personal goals for this season is to be a great leader and a reliable coach to my team. I am young, and I know I will make mistakes, but I want to take it day by day and improve each one. I have a long term goal of winning the division, but on a more personal level I want to learn more about coaching at this level and using my experience as a player to share my knowledge with the team. Nothing will happen overnight, but I am setting the bar high and will do everything in my power to teach and motivate the team to reach it.

Q: What are your goals for the Destiny as a whole?

J: I always want to win, it is just the competitive spirit in me. One of my goals is to finish in the top three this season. Our division is really competitive this summer, but it is realistic for us to be in the running for playoffs. We have a lot of talent, it is just a matter of finding the right combination and putting all of the pieces together.
A goal of mine is to advance as a program and create an environment where players will return. I think the Destiny can be a central powerhouse for top level college programs in Virginia, and also be a great learning tool for aspiring college players.

School's Out Festival - Not just for the little ones

It's that time of year once again--the pencils, books and (hopefully) dirty looks will be going on summer break just in time for the School's Out Festival the Kickers will be hosting beginning 4 p.m. June 6 at U of R Stadium. The family-friendly day will feature all sorts of wonderful entertainment for those anxious little ones who've been dying to unleash some of that post-exam energy. Let us be the outlet and save all you parents out there at least one night's worth of keeping up. It's summer; you should relax too! Who knows, we might even tire them out enough to give you a full weekend's recovery (I'm hearing a collective "ha!" from all of you right now, I know).

Whatever the case, we'll have a fun zone, mascots, face painting, a moon bounce and all sorts of other activities and prizes sure to keep them occupied until they're ready to join you to watch the Kickers win their game over Harrisburg City Islanders at 7.

It's not just the kiddies who will benefit, though. While the young ones are off getting their faces covered in a fresh coat of red and white paint, you can enjoy live music, get some great food and relax by watching some of the small-sided soccer games taking place on the field. To all you big kids out there planning on attending, we haven't forgotten about you. Be sure to hop in on one of the games or join the little ones on the largest inflatable obstacle course in the state. If I wasn't busy helping to make sure everything was running smoothly, I assure you I'd be right in there with you!

I bet you're already thinking how great a time this sounds like, but get ready for the kicker: All families arriving at the stadium gate before 6 p.m. will be treated to a $5 group admission pass that is valid for the whole bunch. I can't think of a better way to spend $5. Learning so much during the year is a big accomplishment. Congrats to all you kids--big and small--who have made it through another school year. Come unwind with us and have a blast. School's out!

WHEN: Saturday, June 6th, Gates open at 4:00 pm

WHERE: University of Richmond Stadium (a few blocks from Carytown or just off the Downtown Expressway)

WHAT: The festival will feature live music by local musicians, food, arts and crafts, an interactive fun zone, video games, face-painting, mascots and prizes. In addition, join the Kickers Soccer Zone on the field and participate in small-sided soccer games, juggle-a-thons and soccer drills throughout the day.

PRO SOCCER: The Richmond Kickers pro soccer game highlights the event as the Kickers host the Harrisburg City Islanders at 7:00 pm.

TICKETS: Bring the whole family before 6:00 pm and purchase a $5.00 ticket that allows admission for the whole group.

Destiny Home Opener

Come out this Saturday as the Destiny kick-off their home schedule at the University of Richmond stadium at 2 PM against the Charlotte Lady Eagles!

...Or even better stay for the 7 PM Kickers Pro game against Crystal Palace Baltimore! We look forward to seeing you in the crowd! 

Four Home Games - Four Weekends

After a tough loss in Bermuda this past weekend, the boys are back in town and ready to get back in the win column against rival Charlotte Eagles this Friday at 7 PM at U of R Stadium. This is the first of four home games in as many weekends and these games will definitely set the tone for the team going into the summer's league and open cup matches. So paint your face, rest your voice, and dust off those Kickers chants, because we'll need you all for the next four weeks to make sure we can reach the top of the table.

For those of you who want to know more, here's the schedule along with our promotions:

Friday, May 15 @ 7 PM - Charlotte Eagles - Faith & Family Night, Gifts for Gulu (bring your gently used goods for a discount and the knowledge that you helped those less privileged)

Saturday, May 23 @ 7 PM - Crystal Palace USA - Military Appreciation Night, Party Perfect Chip Clip giveaway

Saturday, May 30 @ 7 PM - Western Mass Pioneers - SPCA Dog Night (Bring your pet!)

Saturday, June 6 @ 7 PM - Harrisburg City Islanders - School's Out Night!

We'll see you there. Keep checking our blog/twitter/website/facebook/your pockets for special savings, discounts, and contests!

It's Like You're in the Stadium. . . But You're Not

If you can't watch the game live and in person this weekend, catch live updates on the Richmond Kickers Match Tracker. Cheering section, pizza, and Kickeroo not included.

See you this Saturday at UR Stadium for Richmond Kickers vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds, kicking off at 7:00!

Kickers Tie Harrisburg 2-2 on Saturday

From RichmondKickers.com. . .

A regular season home opening crowd of 2,893 enjoyed an entertaining match on a beautiful spring evening that resulted in a 2-2 draw between USL-2 rivals Richmond Kickers and Harrisburg City Islanders Saturday night. The back-and-forth affair opened early when Kickers midfielder Mike Burke and forward Matthew Delicâte connected on the first goal of the night. Harrisburg answered back with a pair of goals before the end of the first half. Forward Steve Fisher leveled the score while Mo Oduor claimed the lead minutes before the break. An off-the-ball foul against the home team brought the teams even once again when Kickers forward David Bulow calmly converted the resulting penalty kick.

Read the full game summary here.

The Kickers return to UR Stadium this Saturday, April 25th to take on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 7:00 PM.

College Night Specials

With one week left until Richmond Kickers College Night, we have just nailed down all the specials you can get on April 18th. Here is the game plan:

5:00 PM Pre-Game Party at New York Deli in Carytown
Wear red OR wear a Kickers logo OR show your game ticket to get these deals:

• 35-cent chicken wings
• Half-price burgers
• Drink specials

7:00 PM Richmond Kickers vs. Harrisburg at UR Stadium

• $5 tickets with a valid college ID (limit one per ID)
  
• $25 season passes with a valid college ID (limit one per ID)
  
• Free Kickers t-shirt for first 500 fans

9:00 PM Post-Game Party at Home Team Grill in the Fan

We hear there is a little rivalry brewing between the Rams and the Spiders to be the school with the most students in attendance. We might have to count IDs to declare a winner and award bragging rights to either VCU or UR.

"I Have the Autobahn"

An update to "Need for Speed". . .

Sascha Goerres has informed us that during the team's recent excursion to G-Force Karts, he made a comeback from his calm and steady initial drive around the track. In fact, Sascha took fourth place overall and credits his success to his German upbringing, exclaiming, "I have the autobahn!"

We have decided not to retract the Safe Driver Award. See Sascha and all the guys tear up the competition on the field on April 18th, as the Kickers take on the Harrisburg City Islanders at 7:00 PM.

Feeling the Need for Speed

Think the Kickers are fast on the field? You should see them on the race track. The guys celebrated their big win on Saturday night with an evening at G-Force Karts on Sunday. Not only were they fast, they were competitive too! David Bulow and Joey Worthen led the pack from the beginning, and there was considerable rivalry going on between Mike Burke and Matthew Delicâte.

The safe driver award goes to Sascha Goerres, who remained calm and steady and was never seen bumping cars or riding the walls like some of his more cuththroat companions. The staff at G-Force Karts were really helpful, and everyone had a great time. Check them out at GForceKarts.com.

Want to hear more stories about the Kickers pro players in practice and at play? Check out Sascha's blog here.

Last Minute Victory

The Kickers geared up for the 2009 season with a 1-0 victory against the Carolina Railhawks of the USL-1 in an exhibition game on Saturday night. The lone goal came in the 90th minute from a cross by Sascha Goerres to Matthew Delicâte. The team started the game with lots of near misses throughout the first half and Carolina came back in the 2nd half with many shots of their own. Congratulations are due to goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale for having an amazing night protecting the net. Read the full match report here at RichmondKickers.com.

Win a Trip on the Kickers Bus!

We're on Facebook and we're giving away a trip on the team bus on April 18th to one lucky fan. Ride in style to the Kickers regular season home opener! Visit us on Facebook to find out more.

Kickers Players Become Fans

Kickers players joined Kickers fans last night to watch the U.S. Men's National Team take on Trinidad & Tobago in the final round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The party was hosted by Home Team Grill in the Fan, and the atmosphere was perfect for cheering the team on during a 3-0 victory. Read the full game story at the U.S. Soccer website here. Also check out the U.S. MNT Blog as you follow the team to South Africa 2010.

Fans of all ages approved of the new Post Game Party Spot, which will host Kickers players and fans after every regular season home game. The delicious appetizers, sandwiches, and burgers received the seal of approval from the Kickers staff, who are always up for a post game meal. Join us this Saturday, April 4th for an exhibition match against the USL-1 Carolina Railhawks at Sports Backers Stadium, followed by a party at Home Team Grill.

Road to the Home Opener

The Kickers came out strong against VCU on Tuesday, with Ben Hunter tallying two goals (one from a PK) and Fabian Dawkins scoring one, all in the first half. VCU was unable to score until late in the match and played two men down due to red cards. The final score of this scrimmage was 3-1.

This match was one of the most physical matches the team has seen all preseason. Two VCU players were ejected with after receiving two yellow cards each. VCU wasn’t alone in the card count, with Kickers players Mike Burke and Fakundo Herrera picking up one yellow each.

This was the last preseason game before the team takes on the Carolina Railhawks Saturday at 7pm at Sports Backers Stadium.

Come out tonight to Home Team Grill in the Fan for a viewing party as the U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup Qualifier at 7pm. Meet Kickers players and enjoy specials at the Kickers’ new Official Post Game Party Spot!

Kickers Show Their Skills on the Field and On the Screen

We headed to New York Deli on Monday night to play FIFA 09 with some fans. Play N Trade Carytown brought the game, the Kickers brought the players, and a good time was had by all. Pictured above are Kickers pro players Evan Harding and David Bulow with Kickers VP - Communications, Shelley Sowers. Pictured below, David takes on a fan in an intense game of FIFA. The Kickers held their own, while assuring the crowd that they are much better with their feet than they are with the Xbox controllers.

New York Deli will host Kickers fans again on April 18th at a pre-game party for the regular season home opener at UR Stadium. Dig out your Kickers gear for the new season to be eligible for great specials at the Deli on the 18th. The party starts at 5:00, with the pro team kicking off (just a short walk away!) against the Harrisburg City Islanders at 7:00.

Player Watch This Week

Want to get to know the Kickers pro team a little better? Come out to these fun events this week and you can be BFF with Sascha and Evan in no time.

Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K

Saturday, March 28

8AM - 1PM

Catch up with us in Monroe Park after the race.

FIFA 09 Party at New York Deli

Monday, March 30

8PM - 11PM

Play with the Pros in Carytown on Monday night.

USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago Viewing Party

Wednesday, April 1

7PM - 10PM

Watch the game live at Home Team Grill in the Fan.

Kickers Gear Up for 2009 Season

This post was written by Kickers guest blogger and fan, Patrick Wood:

The Kickers walked away with a 2-0 victory over the Lancers of Longwood University Sunday. The team as a whole worked hard for this win and it showed through good communication among the players throughout the match. Goals came from Matthew Delicâte in the 1st half and Ross MacKenzie in the 2nd half. Even with Longwood putting on more pressure in the 2nd half, the Kickers fought on to keep it a clean sheet. Longwood did hit the back of the net once, but it was called back due to an offside call.

This was a good outing for the new players and a few trialists. One of the players who stood out in this match was the recently signed former VCU player, Gerson Dos Santos. He brought a lot of size to the midfield and was a key playmaker in Sunday’s match. It will be interesting to see him evolve in the next couple of preseason games leading up to the home opener exhibition against USL-1 Carolina Railhawks.

Play with the Pros

We're going on a play date and you're invited. The Kickers are teaming up with Play N Trade Carytown, New York Deli, and Brick Weekly magazine on Monday, March 30th. Come out and play at New York Deli in Carytown to enter a FIFA 09 tournament from 8-11 PM. While there, mingle with Kickers staff to get all the information you need for the upcoming pro season. There might be a special appearance by some of your favorite Kickers, and you can also meet some of our new friends from Play N Trade and Brick. So mark your calendar! More details next week.

http://ny-d.com/

http://playntrade.com/richmond2

http://www.brickweekly.com/

Social Marketing rewards...coming soon!

For those of you who frequently read our blog, check our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter, you are in luck as you may soon be the recipient of coupons, discounts, and giveaways that will distributed exclusively through these sources! Keep your eyes peeled for coupons hidden in links, Facebook contests for free prizes, and Twitter "tweets" about ticket giveaways and promotions. Feel free to pass on the word to other Kickers fans, unless you don't want to share the love and keep everything for yourself! But we'd appreciate you passing on the word...

Have you seen the Kickers bus lately?

While March marks the beginning of the Kickers' preseason, it also marks the beginning of another travel season for the Richmond Kickers sleeper bus. Not only does the big, black bus provide transportation for the Richmond Kickers pro team, W-League team, and US Academy youth teams, but it also transports local college sports teams, other pro sports teams, and other youth sports programs. It even takes area companies and their employees to different events all over the east coast. From mid-February through late November, the Kickers bus will be everywhere from Tampa, Florida to Dayton, Ohio to Massachusetts.

So keep your eyes peeled for our bus, and if you see it, email us at kickers93@gmail.com or post a comment on this blog post and let us know where and when you saw the bus. Our goal is put together a map showing the many different places where people have spotted the bus and where it has been this year. Also, if you, your company, your friends, or your friends' companies are ever interested in using the bus for a trip, give us a call or an email for a free quote and to set up a tour of the bus that takes the Kickers everywhere (except Bermuda, of course).

Pro Pass Perks

The 2009 Pro Passes will be mailed out soon, and they're making us hungry. Hungry for some professional soccer. And hungry for some Ukrop's Hand Tossed Pizza and Arby's roast beef sandwiches. Here is the roundup of Pro Pass Perks for 2009:

• Admission to all Kickers Pro regular season home games


• Ukrop's Hand Tossed Pizza - buy one slice and get a second slice of equal or lesser value free


• Arby's Roast Beef Sandwiches - buy a large fry and regular soft drink and get your roast beef sandwich free


• Play N Trade Carytown- For Youth Pro Passes Only - activate your pass by April 15th to be eligible to win a Sony PSP at the Kickers regular season home opener on April 18th, courtesy of Play N Trade Carytown

Are you hungry yet?

A Heartbreaker to End a Good Season

This post was written by Kickers guest blogger and fan, Patrick Wood:

The Kickers Indoor team took the field again in front of another packed crowd at SCOR on Friday, to reach for the Mid-Atlantic Division Championship. The Kickers couldn’t find the net in the 1st quarter, but sadly the Impact did. Greg Simmonds helped the Kickers by putting them on the board in the 2nd quarter bringing the score to 2-1. Luke Vercollone fired some powerful shots against Impact Keeper Chris Peter, but every one was saved. Andy McIntosh tallied one goal in an effort to keep the Kickers on their feet. To no avail the team was handed a sad 5-3 loss and an end to a great season.

The team did have a number of chances (25 shots in the 2nd half) but none of them seemed to hit their target. The large crowd of fans brought energy to the arena as they cheered on the Kickers to the final whistle. From here we wait out the month until we see the Kickers Pro team open up the USL-2 season in an exhibition against the Carolina Railhawks of USL-1 on April 4 at 7pm at Sports Backers Stadium. This will feel like the longest month ever, but it will be great to see some more great soccer in the Virginia capital!

See you in Pretoria? Cape Town? Johannesburg?

FIFA reports that a worldwide frenzy ensued when the first phase of ticketing for World Cup South Africa 2010 began on Friday. The FIFA website received applications from 128 countries for a total of 216,975 tickets on the first day of the online ticket sale. In the first phase of ticketing, soccer fans around the world will apply to receive tickets through a random selection drawing that will take place after the application period. Ticket applications must be submitted by midnight on March 31. Here at the Kickers, we are studying the ticketing process, trying to find ways to beat the system, and vying for time off during the 2010 regular season to take South African vacations. Are you caught up in the frenzy yet?

Whether you have the World Cup fever or you have yet to catch the bug, check out this cool World Cup blog we found: http://www.worldcupblog.org/

This website compiles 34 different blogs that are reporting daily on every detail of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. News is divided by continent and country, and if that is too much to sift through, the search function is pretty good.

We Are the Champions

Surprising us yet again, the Kickers Indoor team took the division lead last week in their last regular season game against the Winchester Impact. The Kickers were down 5-1 at half time as Winchester prepared to secure its spot at #1 for regular season play. In a fast-paced turnaround, the Kickers scored twelve (yes, 12!) goals in the second half to Winchester's two. Final score: 13-7 and the Kickers are the regular season champs of the Mid-Atlantic Division. While it was an incredible team effort, the second half scoring kings are pictured above. Luke Vercollone tallied four goals; Chris Green and Andy McIntosh each scored three.

And it's not over yet!

The Kickers will host the Winchester Impact in post-season play to determine the official Champion of the PASL Mid-Atlantic Division. Cheer them on to victory on Friday, February 27th at 8:30 PM at SCOR. It is sure to be an action-packed game that you won't want to miss.

Order tickets in advance for $5.00 each!

Kickers Talent Search 2009

The Richmond Kickers held their annual combine this weekend to search for the next Dwayne de Rosario or Clyde Simms. Both of these players' talents were identified at Kickers Pro open tryouts, and both went on from Kickers contracts to play for the MLS. Dozens of players came out this year for their chance to Join the Club. No announcements have been made yet, but stay tuned to RichmondKickers.com for the latest news and roster updates.


Calling all college students: the search is on for the next Evan Morris! Evan joined the Kickers as an operations intern during the 2006 season before being promoted to Implementation Manager in April 2007. He is now the Director of Ticket Sales for the Richmond Kickers pro team. You too could work for the pro team, and the first step is applying for a summer internship with the Kickers. The deadline for applications is this Friday, February 20th.

Think you have what it takes? See the Kickers Internship Page for details.

USA Wins!

The U.S. Men's National Team beat Mexico tonight in Columbus, Ohio, with a final score of 2-0. Michael Bradley scored both goals, one at the end of the first half and another at the end of the second.

In the 41st minute, a DaMarcus Beasley corner kick found Donovan, who sent a header in the direction of Onyewu. Onyewu took a header towards the goal, and the shot was denied by goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez. Bradley caught the rebound and put the ball in the net to end the first half on a high note for the U.S. During the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the second half, Bradley scored again for the U.S. from a Donovan assist. Overall, the U.S. played a good possession game, and while Mexico created some good chances, they were not able to follow through. The U.S. win was well-deserved.

The Kickers have sent several players to MLS and the U.S. national team, and we are searching for our next big star. The 2009 Richmond Kickers Combine takes place this weekend - are you the next Dwayne De Rosario or Clyde Simms? Find out how to register for the tryouts at RichmondKickers.com: Do you have what it takes? Former Kickers players who have represented the U.S. on the men's national team include Clyde Simms, Bryan Namoff, Brian Carroll, and Ted Gillen. You could be next!

If you are more a fan than a player, check out the
2009 Pro Schedule, just released today!

Kickers Indoor Team Full of Surprises

Fans were happy they stayed through the deadlocked third quarter last night, when the Kickers Indoor team took on the Maryland Tigers. Kickers scorekeepers couldn't keep up with the action when the Tigers scored at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and the Kickers fired back with a goal by Stuart Bertsch. Determined to break the tie, Kickers players Chris Green, Matt Cooper, Andy Macintosh, and Luke Vercollone each tallied a goal for the home team during the last seven minutes of play. The Kickers Indoor team surprised us again with the heroic comeback that resulted in a 7-4 final score. Read the full game report here: Five Goals in Four Minutes

Another way the Kickers Indoor team continues to surprise and delight the Kickers staff is through the review of the game photos. Action shots of this team do not always reveal poster-worthy pictures, but they often generate great "Write the Caption" contests.

Like this photo from December in which Richmond Kickers and Virginia Legacy players momentarily transform the match into an epic martial arts battle. . .

Photo by Suz Kitsteiner 2008

Our initial thought for the caption was "Everybody was Kung Fu fighting. . ."
Got any better ideas?

Free Stuff for Fans

The giveaway item for Saturday's game just came in! We've never before been so happy to see the mail man. Kitchen 64 has been generous enough to give free water bottles to the first 200 fans in the door. They are really nice and while we are tempted to keep them for ourselves, we are happy to give them away this weekend to our valued fans. Stop by the table at the entrance to the bubble at SCOR to pick up your free water bottle!





The generosity of Kitchen 64 inspired us to pay it forward to the fans a little more this week. Join us for Family Night this Saturday and bring the whole family for only ten dollars! You must have this coupon to purchase tickets at the reduced price: http://www.richmondkickers.com/docs/home/FamilyNightCoupon.pdf


The Kickers Indoor team takes on the Maryland Tigers this weekend in the battle for a spot in the PASL Premier playoffs. The action happens Saturday, February 7 at 7:00 PM at SCOR. See you at the game!

The Other Game of Football

Here we are on Superbowl Sunday, and while most of the U.S. is preparing to watch the big game, we're pondering how the beautiful game of soccer has impacted American football over the years. The NFL placekicker comes immediately to mind, with "soccer-style" kickers replacing most all of the "conventional" kickers in the NFL.

The first soccer-style placekicker in the NFL was Pete Gogolak, who joined the Buffalo Bills in 1964. Pete approached the ball differently from the conventional kickers. He took a diagonal approach to the football and struck it with his instep; conventional kickers took a straight-on approach and struck the ball with their toes. The soccer-style approach produced more accurate kicks, and any soccer player can tell you why. Striking the ball with a larger, flatter surface leaves less room for error, and the soccer-style kick is now pretty standard in the NFL.

When you watch the big game today, keep an eye on the style of Pittsburgh placekicker Jeff Reed and Arizona placekicker Neil Rackers. Did you know. . . both Reed and Rackers led their high school soccer teams to state championships? Reed was a captain of his soccer team at East Mecklenburg H.S. in Charlotte, NC and Rackers led his soccer team to consecutive state titles at Aquinas-Mercy H.S. in St. Louis, MO.

The Kickers hope you have a safe and happy Superbowl XLIII.

We're Giving Away a V-Day Dream Date

So this next promotion we are working on makes me think of this:

Which is kind of cheesy but also kind of awesome. And it is definitely making all of us pretty excited to go to work on Valentine's Day evening. We are giving away a date with Chris Green, of Kickers Indoor fame, to one lucky fan on February 14th. If you aren't sure which one is Chris Green, he is the guy who is constantly putting the ball in the back of the net. Check out this photo and see the resemblance to Dream Date Ken:

See it? Yes? Maybe?

For just one dollar, you can enter a raffle to win a date with Chris, sponsored by Gibson's Grill and the National. The winner will be announced at the Kickers Indoor game on February 14th, where the Kickers will host a Singles Party with games, music, and prizes. The best part about all of this is that 100% of the raffle proceeds goes to the American Heart Association. Find more info about the game and the DREAM DATE here:

http://www.richmondkickers.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gpx::72098+L2/+E+135

Introducing The Direct Kick

After a month-long break, we welcome a new year and a new blog for the Richmond Kickers. Keep an eye on The Direct Kick for all the latest news and views about Kickers Soccer and other related (and sometimes unrelated) topics. We have some fun things in the works for this year, including stories, videos, game and non-game photos, polls, and more! I'll write things as I hear them, so you can be sure that the dish is always served fresh at The Direct Kick.