Preview: Kickers Back In Town Still Looking for a Win

Opponent:  Spokane Veloctiy (7-6-2)
Date/Time: Saturday, July 18th,  7:00 PM
Last Result: 4-0 (ouch) Loss Against Forward Madison

Weather Forecast from Weatherbug.com

Three Things to Kick About

1. New Coach Same Kickers – The Kickers accepted an over from Sporting Cascades to buy out Head Coach Darren Sawatzky’s contract and he moved on down the road. Former Kickers and current Assistant Coach Brian Ownby was promoted to Head Coach. Anyone hoping for that new coach bounce that many teams have is severely disappointed. If anything the Kickers look more disjointed and at times apathetic as they try to adjust to the new coach and his plans. What are his plans? At this point I’m not really sure. There was a glimmer of hope when the Kickers beat Greenville in a meaningless to both teams, Prinx Cup match last Saturday. That hoep was dashed, set on fire, and thrown out of  moving train into a deep canyon by Wednesday’s result. The Kickers lost to their rival Forward Madison 4-0.
2. Reinforcements – We’ve been told by the front office that two new players have been signed but as of this morning no announcement has been made and the idea that two players who couldn’t find success with other teams will turn the Kickers around is desperation personified.
3. Weather – This year has been one of the more bizarre ones weather wise for the Kickers. In Chattanooga the Kickers had to play on a field that was literally a swamp with massive puddles. There have been light rain showers for a couple games. The last home game the heat index was nearing triple digits. The game on Saturday has a trifecta of nasty with smoke from Canada, heat, and possible thunderstorms.

Prediction

The team has been in a tailspin all season with the exception of a three game win streak. The promise of a playoff competitive team has long faded into the distance. If we take a look at the Kickers last game the future looks even darker. The Kickers were outshot by Madison 21 to 5. Of the Kickers 5 shots none were on target. The Kickers allowed 15 shots by Madison inside the box. They gave up 9 corners (two of which resulted in goals) and only earned 1 corner. The only stat the Kickers dominated was in yellow cards. The Kickers earned an impressive 6 yellow cards to Madison’s one. The Kickers face Spokane on Saturday, and they sit in 8th place in the standings compared to the Kickers 16th. The Kickers have scored the lowest number of goals in the league with 12 over 15 games played. Spokane isn’t dramatically better on that stat with only 17 over 15 games played. However, when you look at goals conceded the Kickers have let in 28 to Spokane’s 21. I’ve not seen anything that gives me hope that the Kickers can pull this off.

Kickers – 0
Spokane – 2