Author Archives: Ben Bromley

Kickers offseason roundup, part 1

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Welcome to our first installment of the Kickers offseason roundup, where we tell you what has been happening since the season has ended and get you ready for 2013!

The first bit of news from the Kickers offseason is that Shane Johnson, standout centerback, has been resigned to a multi-year deal. On the surface, this seems a little strange to me; Johnson played  very well throughout his first season, besides when he was injured, and he could be in line  for a move up the ladder in the coming years. Although it is rare, players have made transfers directly from the lower leagues of American soccer to MLS; the more typical route is that an out of contract player gets offered a trial and then signs with an MLS team. For an example, Osvaldo Alonso, currently a fixture of the MLS Best XI team, had his rights purchased by the Seattle Sounders from the Charleston Battery. But playing time is key and Johnson will definitely get playing time in Richmond. In a few years, he may be moving up.

A second bit of news is that the Richmond Kickers will be holding open tryouts in February and March. Unlike MLS, which holds a draft in January, USL Pro (and NASL, for that matter), allow teams to sign whichever players they can get. For the Kickers, these tryouts have produced such notable names as Ronnie Pascale and Clyde Simms. These sessions will take place after the USL Combine, which takes place in Bradenton, Florida, January 24-27.

Finally, a number of key players have retired. As was well expected, Ronnie Pascale has officially retired, having been a mainstay with the Kickers for the past 12 years. In addition, midfielder Nozomi Hiroyama has also announced his retirement. And while it has not been announced, I would expect Mike Burke to return to retirement after having been called back during a shortage of midfielders. That is a lot of experience leaving the team, and we wish them all the best in their furture endeavors.

Keep your eyes open for more offseason USL news, coming next week, which includes expansion and a rumored MLS-USL partnership.

Richmond Kickers vs. Dayton Dutch Lions Game Thread

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The Richmond Kickers are back in action tonight, and Matthew Delicate has a chance to eclipse Rob Ukrop’s club record for goals scored. Both sit on 63 goals for the club, but unless Ukrop gets in a time machine, it will be Delicate’s record soon. Doing so in front of a home crowd, in a much needed win, would be an appropriate way to pass the club legend (and president). The Dutch Lions are coming off of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Wilmington Hammerheads last night, with the Kickers coming off a convincing 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last weekend.

Every point is important now, and getting 3 of them at home is critical for the rest of the season. The Kickers are in a dogfight now, and they are competing with 5 times for three playoff spots. They haven’t missed the playoffs since 2003 and doing so this year would be a disaster. I know that I keep harping on this, but it is true; this is a team that is used to being at the top of the league. If they can build off of last weekend, however, the team is in a good position for a late season run that cements their place in the playoffs. Here’s hoping, anyways.

Game Time: 7:00pm

Video: As with all Kickers home games, there is no streaming video.

Lineup: With no news about Long Tan or Ethan White so far, I am adjusting the predicted lineup as though neither of them will be available. That gives us something like this

Pascale
Goerres Kalungi Yeisley Johnson
Heins Dos Santos Vercollone Fogelsong
Delicate Agorsor

Prediction: As with last week, nothing less than 3 points is acceptable. 2-0 win for the Kickers, with goals from Delicate (breaking the Kickers all-time scoring record) and Vercollone.

What are you drinking: No drinks tonight, as I am in the press box. However, I have whiskey of some sort or another waiting for me after the game..

As for all game, there will be live blogging after the jump. Feel free to join in!

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Richmond Kickers vs. Dayton Dutch Lions Preview!

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After a string of disappointing results and scrappy wins, the Richmond Kickers broke out with a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds this past weekend. If they want to continue their streak of consecutive playoff appearances, currently at eight, alive they will have to continue their winning ways against the Dayton Dutch Lions. The Dutch Lions are coming off of a win against the Harrisburg City Islanders but currently sit seven points behind the Kickers for the last playoff spot. As with the game against the Riverhounds, this is one that the Kickers must win if they expect to get to the playoffs. There are five teams battling for three playoff spots who are all within 3 points of each other, which leaves no room for error.

This will be the match where we found out if the offensive explosion mounted against the Riverhounds was a sign of this team turning the corner or if it is just a sign of how poorly the the Riverhounds played in that match. Leigh Cowlishaw’s lineup choices will depend on what players he has available, particularly whether or not the on-loan players from D.C. United will be around for this game. Personally, I think that Long Tan will again be loaned to the Kickers for this match as well as most of the rest of the matches of the year, barring an injury crisis up I-95. Ethan White, however, is a bigger question; D.C. United’s starting right back, Robbie Russell, is injured and likely to be out for at least a month. United have only one true fullback on the bench, Chris Korb, and their emergency right back, Andy Najar, is currently in London with the Honduran Olympic Team. All of that is to say that I would not be surprised if United kept White at least until the Olympics are over.

With that in mind, here are my predictions for the starting lineup this weekend:

Pascale
Johnson Kalungi Yeisley Goerres
Heins dos Santos Vercollone Fogelsong
Tan Agorsor

I know that Long Tan hasn’t been officially re-loaned to the Kickers, but I am thinking he likely will; if not, Matthew Delicate will start in his place. I am also hoping to get a look at Phillippe Davies in this game, especially if what has been said about him is true. Ideally, I would like to see him come in at around the 60th minute for Gerson dos Santos and keep the game from turning into the disjointed slog it was last week after dos Santos left.

As for a prediction? I am going to go with a 2-0 victory of the Dutch Lions, keeping the Kickers on track for a playoff spot. What do you all see?

Richmond Kickers find their footing against Pittsburgh

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This was a game that the Richmond Kickers needed to win, a game that they needed to win exactly like this. After squeaking out 1-0 victories and 0-1 defeats, the Kickers dominated 3-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, controlling possession and putting up multiple goals in a win for the first time since the end of May. This result keeps the Kickers in a tie for sixth place, the last playoff spot, now with both the Charlotte Eagles and the Los Angeles Blues.

The central midfield partnership of Gerson dos Santos and Luke Vercollone was particularly strong, controlling the tempo of the game and keeping the ball away from Pittsburgh. Vercollone plays like he always does, flying around the field and breaking up play. However, he never does so too aggressively or with too much passion, something from which Mike Callahan could stand to learn. Dos Santos is not an attacking midfielder in the traditional sense, but he drops back to pick up the ball and plays more of a deep-lying playmaker role. His effect on the game was even more clearly felt when he was taken out, as the game shifted into a disjointed slog for the last 20 minutes.

Other than a ten minute span in the first half, the Kickers dominated play. The first goal came off of a dos Santos free kick, which he placed on the head of Yomby William in the 37th minute. William, other than that goal, had a poor game: more often than not, his clearances would go 40 feet vertically and only 10 feet laterally, allowing Pittsburgh to retain possession. With Henry Kalungi coming back after a red card suspension, I would rather see Jason Yeisely or Shane Johnson partner with him. The second goal was ruled an own goal after the game, but it was Christopher Agorsor that made it happen. Agorsor was lively all night and was able to bounce a shot off of the back heel of Hunter Gilstrap into the goal.

After dos Santos was taken out, the game settled into more of a defensive battle, with neither team having many opportunities in the opponent’s box. The final goals came on penalties, with the first converted by Matthew Delicate after Luke Vercollone was cut down in the box. Just three minutes later, Stanley Nyazamba committed a foul in the box that former New York Red Bull Matt Kassel converted.

The Kickers had two on loan players start this game, Ethan White and Long Tan of D.C. United. With the USL roster freeze quickly approaching, I asked the Kickers General Manager, Shelley Sowers, about whether White and Tan would be eligible to come back to the Kickers. She said that since they been signed before the freeze, the would be eligible to play in the rest of the Kickers’ games this season. Good news for D.C. United fans, as it will give these two players some much needed game time. The Kickers are back in action this Saturday, at City Stadium in Richmond, against the Dayton Dutch Lions at 7pm.

Richmond Kickers vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds Game Thread

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I know that you all missed me these past two weeks; I missed you too! Surprise of all surprises, the Richmond Kickers had two 1-0 games since I last talked to you. One was a victory against the LA Blues, while the other was a loss to the Wilmington Hammerheads. A lack of multi-goal games has been a theme for the Kickers this season, and one that leaves them tied for the very last playoff spot.

However, tonight’s opponent is the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who are currently 6 points behind the Kickers and gave up 3 goals in their last match. If ever there was a time for a rebound win, especially at home, this would be it.

However, the Kickers have some reinforcements for this game. Ethan White and Long Tan have been loaned from D.C. United to the Kickers for this match, and club legend Mike Burke has been persuaded to come out of retirement and help with the rest of the season. And as I write this, the Kickers have announced the signing of midfielder Phillippe Davies, most recently with the Vancouver Whitecaps U-23 team, which plays in the USL PDL. All look to be available for tonight’s game, but which will start? Find out below.

Game Time: 7:00pm

Video: As with all Kickers home games, there is no streaming.

Lineup: Averaging out the past two matches leaves me with a lineup like this:

Pascale
Goerres White Yeisley Vercollone
Heins Dos Santos Callahan Fogelsong
Delicate Tan

As for the newcomers, I expect Ethan White and Long Tan to start. Tan is the first Chinese player in MLS and is a speedy and creative forward. However, he was traded to D.C. United after a fallout with the Whitecaps front office over playing time. With only one game in town, Tan would be a good bet to give Agorsor at least a little rest. I do not expect Mike Burke to get many starts, especially not right now; he’ll be more of a late game assassin, whipping in deadly free kicks.

Phillippe Davies could be a surprise starter in the center or on the right wing, but I would see him most likely fitting into Gerson Dos Santos’s attacking midfield spot. Benjamin Massey, who writes about the Vancouver Whitecaps for SB Nation, describes him as such: “Quality. Central playmaking MF who can also go down right wing. Not much of a shooter. Really improved defensively in 2011.” Massey also thinks that Davies could be a leading USL Pro player quickly. I wouldn’t mind seeing him start that journey tonight.

Prediction: Nothing less than 3 points is acceptable. 2-0 win for the Kickers, with goals from Delicate and Tan.

What are you drinking: No drinks tonight, as I am in the press box. However, I have a nice Alewerks Brewery (formerly Williasmburg Alewerks) witbier waiting for me at home.

As for all gamee, I’ll try to get a live blog going after the jump. Feel free to join in!

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Richmond Kickers to get Ethan White and Long Tan on loan

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D.C. United announced today that they are loaning out defender Ethan White and forward Long Tan to the Richmond Kickers for tonight’s match against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. By now, Ethan White is a familiar face to many Kickers fans, playing both as a right back and as a center back. His loan is especially needed, with Shane Johnson still out, Henry Kalungi serving a red card suspension, and Yomby William not playing well. Long Tan was recently acquired by D.C. United in a trade with the Vancouver Whitecaps and is known as a speedy and creative player. He could either serve as a second half substitute or start and give Christopher Agorsor a break.

There will be more information later tonight as I make my triumphant return to City Stadium and the press box. Look for the match thread around 5!

Late drama dooms the Kickers chance at points

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In the 81st minute, right after Jason Yeisley scored the Richmond Kickers second goal against the Rochester Rhinos, my mind started to look forward to where the Kickers would be in the table. 15 minutes later, after yellow cards, red cards, and two more goals, the Kickers are worse off than when the started the game. Starting keeper and assistant coach Ronnie Pascale put it best: this team is in a dogfight with eight teams fighting for six playoff spots.

The first half was fairly calm and orderly, with the Kickers having most of their possession in the Rochester half. Their first goal was also fairly typical: Christopher Agorsor made a run towards the endline, crossed it back to the middle of the box, and Luke Vercollone made a late run onto the ball and slotted it home. It was also typical in the fact that the Kickers scored it in the first ten minutes. For all of their other problems on offense, they have at least been able to get out in front of teams early. In the 27′ minute, however, Rochester was able to equalize. Graciano Brito was able to rise up over a Kickers defender to head the ball past Pascale.

The second half was a completely different beast, one where the referee lost control of the match from the beginning whistle and was never able to get it back. Within the first five minutes of the half the two teams were up in each others’ faces, requiring the refs to separate them. Mike Callahan of the Kickers and Tyler Rosenlund of the Rhinos were constantly talking and yelling at the refs, at the other teams, and at each other. Callahan in particular could have received a red card; after receiving a yellow for a hard tackle late in the first half, he let his frustration boil over at the ref in the second and Vercollone had to drag him away before Callahan could receive a second yellow. Callahan also got into the face of an assistant referee for a non-call on a ball he thought went over the line and should have been called a corner kick, and kept arguing with that AR after he had been taken out for Matthew Delicate.

Right after Callahan had been taken out, however, is when all hell broke loose. Rochester broke on the counter and the entire back line of the Kickers, as well as Ronnie Pascale, thought that the decisive through ball was offsides. It was not called, and JC Banks blasted it into the upper 90 to give the Rhinos a 3-2 lead. The entire team was up in the face of the ref, who gave Ronnie Pascale a yellow card and gave Stanley Nyazamba a straight red. In the few minutes that remained, Rhinos keeper Kristian Nicht was also given a yellow for time wasting.

This result leaves the Kickers in 6th place and the 7th place Harrisburg City Islanders are one point down with two games in hand. This is going to be a dogfight for the rest of the season to see if the Kickers are good enough to make it into the playoffs. I’ll be back later in the week with some player ratings for this game.

Richmond Kickers vs. Rochester Rhinos Game Thread

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Welcome again from beautiful City Stadium in Richmond, Va.! It is a lovely sunny day just south of Carytown, and a lovely day for the Richmond Kickers to take on the Rochester (Ragin’) Rhinos. As I mentioned in my previous post, the Kickers need a good result to get back on track for the playoffs, and the Rhinos will be itching to move into second place and past the Charleston Battery.

This game features the return of D.C. United on loan center back Ethan White as well as long lost defender Henry Kalungi. The Kickers defensed got shelled against the Rochester Rhinos, so these two players will be a welcome addition. It will also allow Jason Yeisley, who has filled in well at center back, to move back up to forward and provide a target forward alongside Christopher Agorsor. I’m excited to see how this pairing works!

Gametime: 7:00pm

Video: No streaming video for this game; if you’re not here in Richmond, follow my updates!

Lineup:Here is the lineup for tonight (all the players will be right, but their positions might be a little sketchy as their weird on the lineup card):

Pascale
Goerres White William Kalungi
Heins Callahan Dos Santos Vercollone
Yeisley Agorsor

Prediction: 1-0 is the Kickers vintage recently, so I’m going to go with that.

What are you drinking? Mountain Dew, as I’m in the press box today. What are you all drinking?

There will be game updates after the jump, so feel free to follow along! (and join in!)

Halftime: The Kickers have played fairly well so far, and the presence of Henry Kalungi on the back line and Jason Yeisley up top have been two of the big reasons why. Yeisley has been the big body necessary to partner with Christopher Agorsor; while not seeing much of the ball, he has given Agorsor the space to make his darting runs. Kalungi has provided some much needed stability to a back line that has been in flux all season.

On the other hand, Agorsor has been bright but largely ineffective so far. He has had incisive runs, but his crosses have been lacking. Also disappointing was the fact that Gerson dos Santos had to leave in the middle of the first half. He was having a good game, and so I would think that he must have picked up a slight knock to get taken out so early. Yomby William still seems to be getting back into mental fitness, as some of his clearances and some of his decisions have been poor.

When in possession, Richmond was able to get it into the attacking third easily, but crosses from Agorsor and Heins were lacking. If they are able to find Yeisley, I think there is at least one more goal in store.

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Richmond Kickers find their way back home

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This Saturday, the Richmond Kickers find themselves back home at City Stadium for a game against the Rochester Rhinos. After a disappointing trip to North Carolina, the Kickers need a good result to keep themselves on track for the playoffs. The Rochester (Ragin’) Rhinos are 5 points up on the Kickers and are one of the two teams who are tied on games played. However, the Kickers beat them 1-0 in Rochester just a few weeks ago, and now the game is on friendly ground.

This game turns on the same thing as the past games: the ability of the defense to hold steady. If Shane Johnson is healthy, I would assume that he would slot back in at center back; whether it is alongside Yomby William or Jason Yeisley is up for debate. Henry Kalungi does not come back from Ugandan national team duty until next week, and that is when the real debates will begin. So far this season, I see an ideal pairing of Kalungi and Johnson, but William still has time to prove that he can get back to his previous standard.

But, as I have literally just learned as I have been typing this, Ethan White has been loaned back to the Kickers; this time for both this weekend and next weekend. He didn’t look great in the last two games, but he is a better center back than he showed. Hopefully with a little more time under his belt he’ll be able to integrate better into the squad. A whole week of training with the Kickers should allow him to show what he is really made of.

So who is going to start? Well, as you all know I’m terrible at this so far, but that doesn’t keep me from trying!

Pascale
Goerres White Yeisley Vercollone
Callahan
Heins Dos Santos Nyazamba Fogelsong
Agorsor

I’m a sap, so I’ll predict another 1-0 win, with Agorsor scoring the goal. I’ll be in the press box, so I’ll try and get you some updates from during the game!

Richmond Kickers 1-4 Charlotte Eagles: Kickers collapse in the second half

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After getting four points in their last pair of back to back matches, the Kickers go on the road to North Carolina and lose both games, including a 4-1 loss to the Charlotte Eagles. This currently leaves the Kickers in sixth place, the last playoff spot, and having played three more games than the team directly above them and directly below them. After walking the tightrope for the past few weeks, the Kickers have finally fallen off.

This game started brightly, as many Kickers games do, with Christopher Agorsor scoring in the 19th minute. Gerson dos Santos played Agorsor through as he was able to slot the ball past the Eagles’ keeper. The Eagles scored five minutes later, with Nate Thornton burying a rebound. However, it was in the second half that the wheels really came off, with the Kickers giving up three goals in the last 25 minutes. The Kickers went down 2-1 in the 65th minute, but were still able to create chances, including a Yomby William header that was blocked off the line. The real dagger came in the 86th minute when Miguel Ferrer scored the third goal.

While the defensive struggles are new, this game does highlight a disturbing trend: the Kickers, besides Christopher Agorsor, cannot score goals. Agorsor has five goals so far this year, David Bulow has three, and no one else has more than two. Bulow’s contributions have been somewhat interesting: he has the second most goals on the team but often only features as a late game substitute. Hopefully as the center backs heal and return from international duty, Jason Yeisley can feature more in the attack and be the target option to Agorsor’s speed.

Also of interest in the state of the defense since Shane Johnson has been injured. Ethan White was brought in for the weekend from D.C. United to try and replace Johnson, but performed poorly in the first game and was an 89th minute substitute in the second. In this match, Yomby William returned to partner Jason Yeisely, and the Kickers gave up the most goals they have allowed all year. When Johnson is healthy again, I expect to see him challenging William for the starting spot alongside Henry Kalungi.

This weekend, the Kickers face the Rochester Rhinos at City Stadium and then have a week off to rest and recover. Hopefully they can right the ship at home, and I plan to be in the press box covering it for you.