2011: Time for a New Season

I know it is only January, but before you know it the 2011 Season will be upon us! We are working on trying to bring you the best and most up to date information on the River City's Pro Soccer team. Our hope is to bring you more than what is going on with everything on the field. Be on the lookout for some new stuff coming about and please leave a comment if there is anything you, the fan, wants to see for this year!

School's Out Festival!

Last Saturday, the Richmond Kickers hosted their annual School’s Out Festival before their match against the Charleston Battery. The Festival drew thousands of local families on a hot summer day to celebrate the start of summer and the end of school! Several local vendors came out including Mad Science, U -TURN, Bounce 2 The Moon, and Great Clips- just to name a few! Children enjoyed moon bounces, getting their hair dyed, fresh squeezed lemonade, face painting, train rides, playing soccer on the Kickers field, and a chance to spend time together as a family. The Festival concluded with the Kickers pro match at 7pm against the Charleston Battery. Families that arrived to the Festival before 6pm got in for just $10 for the whole crew! Ending the evening on a high note, the Kickers took home the victory winning 3 to 1 with goals scored by Gorres, Foglesong, and Elcock.

Be sure to come out to our Independence Day Bash on July 3^rd from 11am- 3pm and our Family Fest on August 14^th! A special thanks to all our vendors and all the families that came out- the Festival would not have been the same without you! Have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you through the rest of the season!

Papa John's Goal: Free Breadsticks!

Last Friday as the Kickers took on the Charlotte Eagles everyone in attendance received free breadsticks thanks in part to Papa John’s Pizza. Two minutes into the game Kickers midfielder Jonny Villanueva scored off of a free kick which qualified as a “Papa John’s Goal.” A "Papa John's Goal" rewards fans with free breadsticks if the Kickers score within the first ten minutes of the match. Fans can redeem their breadsticks by presenting their tickets from that game at any area Papa John's and those fans with Pro Passes were given tickets to redeem their bread sticks. Needless to say, all of the fans were delighted- thanks Papa John's (and Jonny)!

Ultimate Comfort? Seat Cushions!

We hope to see all of our fans out at University of Richmond Stadium this Friday at 7pm as the Kickers battle the Charlotte Eagles. What better way to spend a Friday night with your friends and family?

Our first 100 fans at the game will receive FREE seat cushions, so get there early! Our players feed off of their fan's energy so we can't wait to see you all there with your cheering voices and smiling faces!

Hop on Down to Martins!

Our very own mascot, Kickeroo, joined in on the excitement of the Grand Opening at the Martin’on Staples Mill on Monday. This location is one of four that opened on Monday after their conversion from Ukrops to Martins. Other Martin’s locations that opened on Monday were in Ashland, Chippenham Crossing, and Chesterfield Towne Center. Martin’s Vice President, Jim Scanlon, said the remodeling process is all in an effort to “provide shoppers with a more modern and convenient shopping experience.” Kickeroo dove right into the new experience and helped greet customers, took a tour, and even helped around the check out lanes-definitely Kickeroo approved! Stop by your local Martin’s and maybe you’ll even bump into Kickeroo!

Slam Dunk!

Richmond Kicker’s players Jonny Villanueva and Neil Barlow participated in the Smith Athletic Association’s Spring Sports Festival at Alberta Smith Elementary on Saturday afternoon. The mission of the Alberta Smith Sharks Athletic Association is to “provide every child with the opportunity to participate in an activity that will give them a sense of accomplishment and build character.” Villanueva and Barlow took part in the fun by participating in the Dunk Tank where children tried their hardest to get them soaked (we always knew they were good sports!) This wet fundraiser helped support local recreational leagues in the Midlothian area and provided entertainment for all involved.

A Fresh Start

Kickers fans, we are proud to introduce to you our newly refurbished blog! "The Direct Kick" is our way of bringing you in-depth news and a behind the scenes look at everything Kickers. "The Direct Kick" will provide a wide array of stories ranging from posts about recent games to background stories of our players. "The Direct Kick" is your ultimate Richmond Kickers source.

Please take the time to scroll through our blog; we welcome any and all comments. Our fans are the most important and vital aspect to our Kicker’s community, so we want to hear from you.

We look forward to hearing from you and can’t wait to see all of your faces out at our games this season!

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!

Online Surveys & Market Research

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!

Online Surveys & Market Research

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