PREVIEW: Kickers battle long-time rival Charleston Battery

Three Things to Kickabout

1. Goals: We finally scored two goals in a winning an effort against Toronto FC II. Let’s hope it continues.
2. Rivalry: This rivalry is one of the oldest in American soccer. Passions run high and there will likely be traveling fans coming up north.
3. Battery Goals: One advantage for Richmond is that the Battery won’t have leading goalscorer Romario Williams.

Prediction

Hope spring eternal and after seeing two goals I’m giddy with scoring excitement. Kickers truly catch on fire and beat their rival 3-1.

Kickers Preview

A rivalry that spans 25 years, the Richmond Kickers (4-12-8) host the Charleston Battery (11-5-8) this Saturday night along with Food Truck Night. The match will be available via the Kickers official television partners WTVR CBS 6 on their 6.3 sub channel and on the USL Match Center. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. with live music by Jive 45 and over a dozen craft beers on tap. RVA’s iconic food trucks will headline the event with local favorites including Carytown Burgers & Fries, Sticks Kebob Shop, Grapevine, The Return of the Mac, Mr. Softee, Happy Empanada, Ms. Funnel Cakes and Boka Truck serving legendary tacos, made to order burgers, gourmet mac & cheese, authentic Greek fair and heavenly hand-made ice cream. Then, the Kickers take the field to face the Charleston Battery at 7:00 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found at RichmondKickers.com.

These two long-time rivals have met on 60 occasions, with the Kickers slightly trailing in the overall series with a record of 24-27-9. The Kickers traveled to Charleston June 10 of this year for the first of three meetings in 2017, falling at MUSC Health Stadium behind a 26th minute penalty kick goal by Justin Portillo. Richmond will travel to Charleston once more September 16 in the final meeting of the season. Out of the 60 meetings, only one time has the scoreline finished as a 0-0 draw (August 1, 2003). The Battery will be without leading goalscorer Romario Williams, who will be serving a one-game suspension.

Richmond looks to continue their momentum of last Saturday’s victory over Toronto FC II. Jordan Hamilton put the visitors up just after four minutes. Just one minute later, Alex Lee was able to pick out Sunny Jane in front of goal to score off a header and level the score. Matt Bolduc put the Kickers ahead in the 68th minute putting away a ball that was knocked down by Franck Tayou to score his first goal with Richmond and the game-winner.

The Battery are coming off a 1-0 road victory at the Rochester Rhinos last Saturday. Justin Portillo scored  his sixth goal of the season in the 83rd minute from a free kick. The win ended a seven-match winless streak dating back to a 2-0 home win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies on July 1.

The Kickers hit the road for three-straight road matches, starting next Saturday night as they travel to the Sportsplex at Matthews to take on the Charlotte Independence for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. This match will be available live on the on the 6.3 sub channel of WTVR CBS 6 as well as the USL Match Center. Following road matches at Orlando City B on September 7 and at the Charleston Battery September 16, the Kickers will return to City Stadium to host the Rochester Rhinos and Oktoberfest, presented by The Hof. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. with authentic German oompah music by The Low ‘n’ Brows, seasonal craft beers on tap and an all-inclusive Oktoberfest package for just $22.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Richmond: Defender Alex Lee (#18) was named to the USL Team of the Week after notching his first assist of the season last Saturday in the 2-1 win over Toronto FC II. The former Maryland Terrapin has made over 100 appearances for the Kickers since joining the club in 2013, amassing two goals and twelve assists. Forward Franck Tayou (#70) joined the Kickers midseason, scoring on his debut in stoppage time June 17 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Tayou spent the second half of the 2016 season with San Antonio FC, scoring five goals in 17 appearances. On loan from the Kickers MLS affiliate D.C. United, goalkeeper Travis Worra (#48) has made two appearances for Richmond this season, allowing just one goal and making seven saves. Worra played in five games with United, making eleven saves over that stretch.

Charleston: Tied for second leading goal scorer for the Battery, midfielder Justin Portillo (#20) scored his sixth goal of the season from a free kick in the 1-0 win on the road at the Rochester Rhinos. Portillo signed with Charleston in 2014 after four seasons at Coastal Carolina, where he was the school’s all-time leader in appearances. Defender Taylor Mueller (#4) has appearance in all 24 matches this season for the Battery. Mueller spent four seasons with the University of Washington scoring two goals over 72 appearances before signing with the Battery in 2012. Midfielder Jarad van Schaik (#5) rejoined the Battery this season after spending one season at Rayo OKC. Previously, van Schaik had his first stint with Charleston between 2013 and 2015 making 83 appearances and scoring on three occasions.

 Ticket Deal

No big savings for Saturday’s game but they’ve got food trucks.

It’s FOOD TRUCK FEST at City Stadium on Saturday, August 26th!

The party starts at 5:30 p.m. with live music by Jive 45 and over a dozen craft beers on tap.

RVA’s iconic food trucks will headline the event with local favorites including Carytown Burgers & Fries, Sticks Kebob Shop, Grapvevine, The Return of the Mac, Mr. Softee, Happy Empanada, Ms. Funnel Cakes and Boka Truck serving legendary tacos, made to order burgers, gourmet mac & cheese, authentic Greek fair and heavenly hand-made ice cream.

Then, get loud when your Richmond Kickers battle the Charleston Battery at 7pm!

GET TICKETS –> http://bit.ly/1Hm3m5s