PREVIEW: The Kickers to play penultimate game of the year in what hasn’t been an ultimate season

Three things to kickabout

1. Goals: We scored three against Charleston at home then we went down to Charleston and played for about 60 minutes without scoring a goal. This is the Kickers season in a nutshell.
2. Playoffs: According to math we still have a chance. According to every rule of logic and trends, the chance of making the playoffs are non-existent. Here is a handy chart by FC Cincinnati to prove my point.
3. Catherine’s Fight: Watch this video about Catherine Muir a Richmond Youth Elite player and her battle with leukemia. Then get ready to feel all the emotions.

Prediction

Amazingly I nailed the last home game prediction. The Kickers had a lot of factors in their favor for the last game. I don’t see any of these favorable factors in this game. Kickers 0 – Rochester 2.

Official Kickers preview

The Richmond Kickers (6-14-8) return to City Stadium this Saturday night as they host the Rochester Rhinos (11-6-10) and Oktoberfest, presented by the Hof. Everything gets underway when the gates open at 5:30 p.m. with live German music by The Low ‘n’ Brows, brats and savory Germany fare, Sam Adams Stein Hoisting Competitions and over 15 seasonal and Oktoberfest craft beers on tap before the pro game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. The match will be available to stream online through the USL Match Center. Fans are encouraged to attend the Official Post-Game Party at Burger Bach, located in Carytown at 10 S. Thompson St. Tickets and more information can be found at RichmondKickers.com.

A rivalry that began in 1999, the Kickers and Rhinos are deadlocked at nine wins apiece over 29 meetings between the two historic clubs. Richmond travelled to Rochester earlier this season on May 21 as the teams battled to the 11th draw in the series after a goal from each team. Kenardo Forbes broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, getting the ball past Matt Turner. The Kickers would level the score just before halftime. Raul Gonzalez converted a free kick opportunity to score his first professional goal and seal the point on the road.

Richmond heads into this match coming off a 0-1 road defeat to the Charleston Battery last Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. The Kickers gained a man advantage in the 38th minute when Romario Williams was sent off after an altercation with Alex Lee. Maikel Chang connected with Heviel Cordovés in the 84th minute from a corner kick score the lone goal of the match. Travis Worra had a game-high six saves for Richmond.

The Rhinos will conclude their three-match road trip Saturday, after falling to Louisville City FC at Slugger Field Wednesday night. Former Kickers midfielder George Davis IV put the home side on the board in the 23rd minute. Jochen Graf drew the Rhinos level in the 43rd minute. Late into stoppage time, second half substitute Rayane Boukemia conceded a penalty opportunity that Luke Spencer converted to get the victory for Louisville.

The Kickers return to City Stadium next Saturday night to prove that RVA is RED at the regular season home finale when they host Orlando City B.  Fans wearing red will receive a drink ticket included in their admission and an exclusive adidas t-shirt and ticket package is on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

Players to watch

Richmond: Midfielder Matt Bolduc (#32) signed with the Kickers after the start of the 2017 season, having made 10 appearances this season and scored his first goal for Richmond August 19 in the 2-1 win over Toronto FC II. Bolduc spent the 2016 season with the Harrisburg City Islanders, where he assisted on one goal over 19 appearances. Forward Jackson Eskay (#24) made his fifth appearance of the 2017 season in the Kickers road loss at the Charleston Battery. The William & Mary product signed with the Kickers prior to the 2016 season after a successful showing at the Kickers Pro Combine. On loan from the Kickers MLS affiliate D.C. United, goalkeeper Travis Worra (#48) six saves as the Kickers fell on the road to the Battery in the team’s last outing. Worra has made 19 appearances for United over three seasons where he has recorded four shutouts and making 46 saves.

Rochester: Leading the Rhinos in scoring this season, midfielder Wal Fall (#17) has scored eight goals and added two assists. The cousin of United States Men’s National Team player Jermaine Jones, Fall joined the Rhinos in 2016 after spending 2015 with BSV Schwarz-Weiß Rehden in the fourth division in Germany. Goalkeeper Tomás Gómez (#23) has recorded nine clean sheets over 20 games this season, which ties him for second in the USL for clean sheets. The former Georgetown Hoya was selected 60th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew, and later signed with the San Jose Earthquakes before joining the Rhinos in 2016. Forward Christiano François (#6) is in his first season with the Rhinos scoring one goal and adding four assists in eight appearances. François saw time with the Kickers in 2014, on loan from D.C. United and scored one goal along with two assists in 13 games.

Ticket deal

It’s Oktoberfest, presented by The Hof at City Stadium on Saturday, September 23!

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 ($18 for Season Ticket Holders) featuring:

• VIP Access to the The Hof Biergarten
• The Hof’s rustic and savory German fare including Brats, Pulled Pork, Potato Salad, Brussels Slaw, Pretzels & Assorted Mustards
• Two Oktoberfest craft beers*, or sodas
• Stein Hoisting competition
• Admission to the Richmond Kickers versus Rochester pro game

GET TICKETS –> http://bit.ly/2xHWz6x