Club Highlights
May 1993: The Richmond Kickers are formed and take part in their first season in the USISL’s Atlantic Division.  The University of Richmond campus is used as the site for the Kickers home games.

July 1994:  The Kickers end a disappointing second season as they finish with a 6-12 record.  They are coached by John Kerr, Sr., father of former US National Team member John Kerr, Jr.

August 11, 1995:  The Kickers win the USISL Premier League Championship with a 3-1 victory over the Cocoa Expos.  This Kickers team contained future MLS players such as Brian Kamler, Richie Williams, Mike Clark, Todd Yeagley, Brian Bates, and Jeff Causey.

August 27, 1995:  The Kickers complete the second half of the “double” by winning the US Open Cup at El Paso’s Sportsplex against the host in front of 7,378 people.  Richmond defeats the El Paso Patriots in a shootout after regulation and overtime end in a 1-1 draw.  They are the only USISL team to ever win the double and the their team in history to win the double.  They are coached by Dennis Viollet, the former Manchester United forward who racked up 178 goals during his career.  The Kickers also are awarded the 1995 Franchise of the Year.

August 1996:  The Kickers hosted the USISL Select League Sizzlin’ Six Playoffs in Richmond.  Making the second consecutive league final, the Kickers suffered a shoot-out loss to the California Jaguars in the title match.

September 1997:  In Game Three (a 30 minute mini-game) of the first round of the playoffs, the Kickers lose to the Carolina Dynamo in a shootout.  The Kickers lost Game One 2-1 at home and won 4-1 in Greensboro.

November 1998:  The Kickers win the USL Progress Award by improving on and off the field in 1998 to become one of the best franchises in the A-League.

September 5, 1999:  Kickers retire the #13 jersey of Leigh Cowlishaw who has contributed to the organization since its inception in 1993.

June 14, 2000:  The Kickers come away with a 3-0 victory in their second round US Open Cup match versus the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer (MLS).  At the end of the season, the Kickers are awarded the USL’s Organization of the Year trophy.

January 10, 2001:  The Kickers announce their entry into the rapidly expanding Super Y-League.  Three teams will be fielded, one each in U-14, U-16, and U-18 Boys age brackets.  The U-18’s qualify for the national tournament. 

December 17, 2001:  The addition of the Richmond Kickers Future (PDL) to the Kickers’ family of teams is announced.  The path form recreational soccer, to travel soccer, through college/PDL and into professional soccer is now available through one organization.

September 21, 2002: The Kickers defeat the defending champion Rochester Raging Rhinos in the Conference Finals to claim the Eastern Conference Championship.   

September 28, 2002: After a tremendous playoff run with upsets over Charleston and Rochester, the Richmond Kickers fall in double overtime in the A-League final to the Milwaukee Rampage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

November 8, 2002: United Soccer Leagues announce that the Kickers will be inducted into the USL Hall of Fame as members of the 10+ Club Category, alongside 11 franchises.  The Kickers are doubly honored as former Head Coach Dennis Viollet will be inducted in the Coaches category.

December 16, 2003: The Kickers unveiled the name of the W-League team, the newest addition to the club.  The Richmond Kickers Destiny is set to take the field in May 2004 under the guidance of Head Coach Ihor Dotsenko.

July 21, 2004:  The Kickers posted a 2-1 upset Major League Soccer powerhouse DC United in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on two goals by rookie forward McColm Cephas.  Advancing to the tournaments Quarterfinals, the Kickers suffered a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Fire (MLS) on August 4th.

November 2004: Awarded to the team with the least number of disciplinary points at the end of the season, the Kickers take home the USL Fair Play Award, marking the first year that the Kickers received this award. 

December 9, 2004: Star forward and Richmond legend Rob Ukrop announces his plans to retire from professional soccer after an 11-year career with the Kickers.  An instrumental figure on the Kickers roster since the club’s inception, Ukrop made 222 career appearances, tallying 69 goals and 29 assists for 167 points.

June 15, 2005: The Richmond Kickers Future (PDL) qualify for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time in franchise history, hosting the Baltimore Colts FC (USASA) in the First Round. 
Currently with an undefeated record of 7-0-1, the Future qualified for tournament play after victories over the West Virginia Chaos, Carolina Dynamo, Virginia Legacy and Raleigh CASL Elite.

July 19, 2005: Ten seasons after winning the U.S. Open Cup title, the Kickers set a modern era U.S. Open Cup record after defeating the Ocean City Barons in the Third Round by a scoreline of 8-4.  The twelve goal total established several franchise records including most goals in a home match (8), most goals in a U.S. Open Cup match (8) and most assists an a U.S. Open Cup match (7). 

July 31, 2005: The Richmond Kickers Future secured the Premier Development League Eastern Conference Championship for the first time in the team’s four-year history.  After finishing the regular season at the top of the Mid-Atlantic Division table with a career best 12-2-2 record under the guidance of Head Coach Martin Dell, the Future ousted the Ocean City Barons, 5-4, in the back-and-forth Eastern Conference Semi-Finals before ejecting Mid-Atlantic Division rivals Raleigh CASL Elite, 2-1, in the Conference Finals.

September 3, 2005:  The Kickers acknowledge Rob Ukrop’s contributions to the club, on and off the field by retiring his #6 jersey.  An eleven-year Kickers veteran, Ukrop announced his retirement from professional soccer in December 2004.  

October 1, 2005:  Finishing sixth in the USL First Division regular season standings, the Kickers barely make the playoffs but make a come-back in postseason play, advancing to the USL-1 Final in Seattle.  A 1-1 tie leads to a penalty kick shootout, with the Kickers falling just short of the Championship title, losing 4-3 to the Seattle Sounders.

October 25, 2005: The Kickers announce the decision to realign with the USL Second Division after nine seasons in the top flight.  The USL Second Division serves as the foundation of the professional structure and its regional focus allows professional soccer to exist in smaller markets, while providing premium soccer and exciting competition.

November 2005:  General Manager Paul Sterbenz takes the USL First Division Executive of the Year award at the USL Annual Awards Banquet.

July 30, 2006: The Richmond Kickers Destiny of the USL W-League were ousted from the Central Conference Final, 1-0, by the Charlotte Lady Eagles on Sunday after a 2-0 semi-final win over the conference’s top-seeded Michigan Hawks.  Under the direction of Head Coach Jesse Myers, the Destiny qualified for their first ever playoff berth, concluding the 2006 regular season with a career best record of 9-4-1, good for second place in the Atlantic Division.

August 12, 2006:  Concluding the season with an 8-0 win over the New Hampshire Phantoms, the Kickers take the USL Second Division Regular Season title with an overall record of 15-4-4.

August 25, 2006: The USL Second Division Scoring Champion and Goal Scoring Champion, Robert Ssejjemba was awarded USL2 Most Valuable Player while goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale garnered the USL Second Division Goalkeeper of the Year award.

August 26, 2006:  After defeating the Cincinnati Kings 2-1 in the first leg and drawing 0-0 in the second leg of the two-game, aggregate score USL2 Semifinals, the Kickers host the Charlotte Eagles in the USL Second Division Championship.  The Kickers claimed their second league title (third overall) with a 2-1 win over the Eagles in the USL2 final in Richmond.

November 18, 2006: The Richmond Kickers were named USL Second Division Organization of the Year at the USL Annual General Meeting, receiving the honor for the third time in franchise history.

May 1, 2007: Due to the overwhelming support of the Richmond community, the Richmond Kickers were able to raise $21,189 for the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund through an exhibition match with the Virginia Tech men’s soccer team.  Nearly 4,000 fans were treated to an exciting night of professional soccer as the Kickers narrowly defeated the Hokies 3-2.

July 4, 2007: The Richmond Kickers were accepted into the U.S. Soccer Development Academy during the 2007 season, joining top youth soccer clubs in the U.S. in an extended National Team program, emphasizing the development of the players by improving their daily environment. 

July 10, 2007:  Making world news, the Richmond Kickers oust the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer from this year’s U.S. Open Cup tournament, weeks before the historic arrival of superstar David Beckham.  Kickers forward David Bulow tallied the lone goal in the 1-0 Open Cup win.

August 2, 2007:  Richmond Kickers Destiny player/coach Jaclyn Raveia garners the W-League Defender of the Year award, marking the first league award received by a Destiny player.  Forward Jen Parsons joined Raveia on the All-Conference and All-League teams. 

August 11, 2007:  The Kickers capture the USL Second Division Regular Season title for the second consecutive year, concluding the season with a 1-1 draw against expansion franchise Cleveland City Stars.  Undefeated at home, the Kickers boast a 12-3-5 record. 

August 24, 2007: Midfielder and captain Mike Burke was named USL2 Most Valuable Player at the USL2 Championship awards banquet.  Meanwhile goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale took the USL2 Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second consecutive season.

August 25, 2007: Hosting the USL Second Division Championship for the second straight season, the Kickers advanced to the title match after a 2-1 win over the Charlotte Eagles in the Semifinal round.  Making their fourth Championship appearance in six years, the Kickers fell just short of defending their title when a 1-1 draw led to a penalty kick shootout, resulting in an 8-7 decision.

November 7, 2007: United Soccer Leagues announced former Kickers forward Rob Ukrop will be inducted into the USL Hall of Fame as the President’s Selection, established by Francisco Marcos last year. 

November 9, 2007: United Soccer Leagues announced recently the preliminary Super Y-League First and Second 11 Club rankings for the 2007 season, recognizing the Richmond Kickers as one of the top competitive and administrative clubs.  The Richmond Kickers Super Y-League program ranks ninth on the Second 11 list on both the overall Clubs and Girls categories. 

November 17, 2007: Richmond receives the USL Organization of the Year Award consecutively after leading and hosting back-to-back USL2 Championships, taking the award for the fourth time in franchise history.  The Richmond Kickers Destiny garnered the USL W-League Communications Award, marking the first league honor during the Destiny’s four-year history.  The Communication award recognizes the W-League team who most effectively communicates with both local and national media and its fans.

______________________________________________________

Moving Up in the Ranks: Kickers and Major League Soccer

In franchise history, 20 players have progressed from the Richmond Kickers into Major League Soccer.  Former Kickers players who have advanced to MLS include Mike Clark (Columbus Crew), Dwayne DeRosario (Houston Dynamo), Brian Kamler (D.C. United, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution), Brian Bates (Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn), Scott Budnick (Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny), Jeff Causey (New England Revolution, D.C. United), Ben Crawley (D.C. United), Ted Gillen (New York Red Bulls), Gary Glasgow (Kansas City Wizards), Onandi Lowe (Kansas City Wizards), Mike McGinty (D.C. United), Mark Simpson (D.C. United), Todd Yeagley (Columbus Crew), Ihor Dotsenko (Kansas City Wizards), Rob Ukrop (New England Revolution), Richie Williams (D.C. United, New York Red Bulls), David Testo (Columbus Crew), Clyde Simms (D.C. United), Joey Worthen (Real Salt Lake) and Robert Ssejjemba (D.C. United).

EX-KICKERS CURRENTLY IN MLS
Dwayne DeRosario (1999-2000) – Houston Dynamo
Bryan Namoff (2002) - DC United
Clyde Simms (2004) – DC United
Ricky Schramm (2007) - drafted by DC United 2007, New York Red Bulls

EX-KICKERS ONCE IN MLS
Brian Bates (1994 & 1995) - Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn
Scott Budnick (1993) - Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny
Scott Cannon (1997 & 2000) - Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Tampa Bay
Brian Carroll (2003) – DC United
Jeff Causey (1995) - New England, DC United
Ben Crawley (1995) - DC United
Danny Care (1999) - DC United
Marco Ferruzzi (1999-2002) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Chris Fox (1997-2005) - drafted by New England Revolution in 1999
Ted Gillen (1993) - NY/NJ MetroStars
Gary Glasgow (1999) - Kansas City Wizards
Ray Goodlett (2001-2003 & 2006) – DC United
David Hayes (2002, 2004) – DC United
Brian Kamler (1995) – New England
Paul Lekics (1997-2004) - drafted by the Chicago Fire
Onandi Lowe (1999) - Kansas City Wizards
Mike McGinty (1997-2001) - DC United
Josh McKay (1997-2002) - Colorado Rapids
Andy Metcalf (2006) – DC United
Caleb Norkus (2004) -drafted by DC United 2001
Mark Simpson (1996) - DC United
David Testo (2003) – Columbus Crew
Robert Ssejjemba (2005-2007) - DC United 2006
Rob Ukrop (1993, 1995-2004) - New England Revolution
Richie Williams (1993-1995, 2004-2005) -  DC United, NY/NJ Metrostars
Todd Yeagley (1995) - Columbus Crew  
 
CURRENT KICKERS WITH MLS EXPERIENCE
Mike Burke (DC United 2000 & 2001)
Ihor Dotsenko (Kansas City Wizards 2000)
Kevin Knight (2000-2007) - NY/NJ Metrostars 1999
______________________________________________________