Preview: Kickers vs Louisville

MATCH DETAILS

Opponent: Louisville City FC (12-4-7)
Date/Time: Saturday, Aug. 15th – 7 PM
Weather Forecast from Weather.com:

THREE THINGS TO KICK ABOUT

1. Goal – We had them. In a crazy five-goal game last Saturday the Kickers scored three goals two in the run of play. The last time the Kickers scored three goals was on May 23 against the same Penn FC. The Kickers need to petition the USL to play Penn FC every week. They’ve met three times and walked away with three victories.
2. Weather – Last week there was a 40 minute weather delay. This week the weather looks perfect. The weather this year for games has ranged from cruddy to deathly humid. Personally I’m looking forward to a nice evening for a change.
3. In Shriver We Trust – Brian Shriver scored in last week’s game bringing his total goals up to seven for the season. This leads the Kickers. For perspective, the USL goal leader is Thomas Enevoldsen of Orange County with 16.

PREDICTION

I’ve got egg on my face after last week’s prediction. I will happily eat crow again but I’m not sure how the Kickers will fare against a much better Louisville team. Actually I’m pretty sure, it won’t be well.

Louisville 3 – Kickers 0

My Home Games W/L prediction record to date: 45% correct

KICKERS OFFICIAL PREVIEW

The Richmond Kickers (6-15-3) will host Louisville City FC (12-4-7) Saturday night at City Stadium, along with Craft Beer Fest. The party starts at 5:30pm with live music, RVA food trucks, local breweries and over 30 craft beers on tap. This match will be available to stream through ESPN+. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

The Kickers are still looking for their first victory over Louisville in 8 meetings between the two sides with a record of 0-6-2. Earlier this season, Richmond made the trek to Louisville Slugger Field April 14. Raul Gonzalez set up Brian Shriver to put the Kickers up after 18 minutes. The home side leveled the score from the penalty spot in the 64th minute by Kyle Smith. George Davis IV gave Louisville the victory, scoring in stoppage time.

Richmond ended a five-match scoreless streak Saturday night, taking a 3-2 win over Penn FC at City Stadium. A penalty kick in the 24th minute by Lucky Mkosana gave Penn FC the lead. It was short-lived, when the Kickers would get a penalty of their own three minutes later that Brian Shriver converted. Heviel Cordovés put the Kickers in the lead in the 30th minute. A second penalty for Penn FC would see Cristian Ramirez score from the spot and again level the score. With ten minutes to go, a ball played across goal was controlled by Luiz Fernando, as he took a touch to get it back to Fred Owusu Sekyere for the game-winner.

Louisville took a midweek trip to take on the Charlotte Independence at the Sportsplex at Matthews Wednesday night, picking up a 3-0 win. Cameron Lancaster put the visitors up after 13 minutes, converting a penalty kick. Lancaster doubled the lead for Louisville in the 30th minute from a Kyle Smith assist. Jacob Sands set up Luke Spencer for the third goal for Louisville sealing the three points.

Following Saturday night’s match, the Kickers will have a quick turnaround as they travel to take on USL newcomers Nashville SC Tuesday night down at First Tennessee Park at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. That match will be available on the Kickers Official Television Partners WTVR CBS 6 on their 6.3 sub channel (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466) and streaming online on ESPN+. Stay up to date with the Kickers at RichmondKickers.com.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Richmond: Forward Brian Shriver (#21) scored a goal and added an assist in the Kickers 3-2 victory over Penn FC Saturday night. Shriver leads the Kickers in both goals and assists this season with 7 apiece. Midfielder Fred Owusu Sekyere (#4) netted the game winner Saturday night in the 80th minute. The Ghanian is in his fourth season with the Kickers, having made 91 appearances. Midfielder Luiz Fernando (#71) made the run and had the play to set up the third goal against Penn FC. Now in his third season in Richmond, the Brazilian has scored six goals and added four goals over 69 appearances.

Louisville: Forward Cameron Lancaster (#9) is second in the USL in goals scored with 15 goals after netting two more goals in Wednesday night’s 3-0 win at Charlotte. The former Tottenham Hotspur Academy player is in his fourth season in Louisville. Midfielder Oscar Jimenez (#19) leads the club in assists with 7 this season. The Mount Vernon, WA native is in his second season with Louisville. Goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh (#1) has appeared in every match this season for Louisville, posting 8 clean sheets. Out of a four year career at Mercer University, Ranjitsingh joined Louisville in their inaugural season in 2015.

TABLE

There are 16 teams in the Eastern Conference, somehow the Kickers are not sitting at the absolute bottom and have a good chance of not being the absolute worst team in the East.

TICKET DEAL

It’s Craft Beer Fest at City Stadium on Saturday, August 25!  The party starts at 5:30pm with live music, RVA food trucks, local breweries and over 30 craft beers on tap!

Arrive early for access to the VIP beer garden to meet and mingle with local brewers – and HAVE A BEER (OR TWO) ON US! 

Then, experience the excitement and atmosphere at City Stadium when the Kickers battle Louisville City FC at 7:00 p.m.

$16 = ADMISSION + 2 DRINK TICKETS

GET TICKETS HERE