Hills & Heights
Preview: Kickers vs Louisville
After a crazy game last week the Kickers are at home again. This time the task will be a little tougher as they face Louisville City FC who sit in third in the Eastern Division.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
The stuff dangling off the osprey’s talon is trash that some human left. The bird is getting around fine now and hopefully the string will break off before the bird becomes entangled. Don’t litter, pickup what you can and for god’s sake don’t release balloons.
This article is 5 years old and the situation hasn’t improved.
More Plastic in the World Means More Plastic in Osprey Nests – National Audubon Society
Human waste routinely finds its way into birds’ nests, and it is especially common with Ospreys. The birds use a huge variety of materials to build their nests, including sticks, bark, sod, grass, vines and algae. Plastic items mimic the appearance of many of these natural building supplies, and Osprey find plastic trash mixed in with their natural nesting materials in beach wrack lines, making it hard for them to distinguish what’s what, Wurst says. “While Osprey see plastic as a useful resource for them to build their nests from, they don’t see the potential danger.”
By 2012, Wurst realized the problem was worsening, so he began removing the trash and collecting it to raise awareness of the issue. Wurst’s Osprey nest-trash collection includes all kinds of plastic items, including unusual finds such as plastic shovels, flags, and polyester hats. But he believes the most dangerous and deadly items are the most common ones he finds in nests: plastic ribbon from balloons and monofilament fishing line. “Trash like monofilament, ribbon, and string can easily entangle a foot, leg, or wing of an adult or young Osprey,” he says. In addition, “single use plastic bags or other plastic sheeting can choke or smother them.”
Community
Reedy Creek Access Could be Limited on Wednesday
Work will start at 9:30 AM and work should continue for a few hours. This will limit your access to Reedy Creek, and there may be periods of zero access.
From James River Parks.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/29) Norfolk Southern is going to be doing repair work on the Reedy Creek Crossing. They will start at 9:30 AM and work should continue for a few hours. This will limit your access to Reedy Creek, and there may be periods of zero access.
Community
Tacos, Tattoos, and Beer
I doubt any spots are left but you can still swing by and get some killer tacos on Tuesday.
Love tattoos? Love free tacos?
We’re celebrating our 2 year anniversary with a block party @true_tattoo_rva where if you get a TBT or Taco related flash piece you’ll get free tacos from us for life
We’ll drop the flash sheet on Tuesday (3/14)
Just show us your dope ink when you purchase two tacos, and we’ll give you the third one for free
On Tuesday, March 14th, we’ll start booking slots, and we’ll have walk-ins the day of the event. Call @true_tattoo_rva to book appointments
We’ll be on-site slinging tacos and vibes with our amigos @capsoulbrewing pouring up suds.
We’ll have raffles and prizes available from our amigos as well!
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU celebrates ribbon-cutting of new Children’s Tower
Human Trash and an Osprey
Photo of the Day: I think that guy with the camera likes our outfits!
Reedy Creek Access Could be Limited on Wednesday
Photo of the Day: RVA
Husband-and-wife duo bringing new restaurant concept to former Mill on MacArthur space
New full-service commercial kitchen, fast casual food hall opens Wednesday
Richmond Falcon Cam is Back
Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU’s bevy of spring exhibitions run the gamut
