Preview: Kickers Face Their Nemesis NCFC

Opponent: North Carolina FC (4-10-3)
Date/Time: Saturday, August 28th, 6:30 PM
Last Result: Kickers 2 – Greenville 0

Weather Forecast From WeatherBug.com

Three Things to Kick About

1. Richmond’s Bane – NCFC has been at the bottom of the standings all season. Yet, the three previous times the Kickers have faced this team they’ve done progressively worse. The Kickers managed a draw when NCFC was up here but most recently lost 4-0 down in Cary. Somehow things just haven’t clicked against this team. The Kickers do have several advantages. NCFC had a game this past Wednesday and turning around and playing another hot humid game on Saturday will be rough. The other advantage the Kickers have is an on-fire Terzaghi. Hopefully, home-field advantage will be the key this time.
2. He Scores When He Wants – Emalino Terzaghi has now netted 12 goals this season putting him in a tie for the golden boot. The man is firing on all cylinders and even if the NCFC defense focuses on him the threat of Bolanos and Oalex could make them pay. Emalino’s goal on Sunday was also his 22 in USL1 in just 1.5 seasons.
3. Defense – A times this season the Kickers defense has looked shaky. Some of the blame lies in the inability to control the midfield. One player that has been amazingly consistent is co-captain Ivan Magalhães. He has the ability to make the big stop and the smarts to slow play down and allow other players to get into position. Ivan was selected to the Cleer Audio Team of the Week for a second time this year, so I’m not alone in thinking he’s a force to be reckoned with.

Prediction

If the Kickers don’t win this one it will be both surprising and incredibly depressing. Everything on paper with the exception of the Kickers record against them, points to an easy win. We’ve thought this two times before and been burned. That doesn’t stop us from believeing.

Kickers 2 – NCFC 0