RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the return of reigning back-to-back USL League One Most Valuable Player, reigning back-to-back USL League One Golden Boot winner, and 2022 RVA Sports Awards Male Athlete of the Year nominee Emiliano Terzaghi for his third-straight season with the club.
“To be a league MVP and Golden Boot winner takes special talent and a hunger for the game,” Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky said. “To replicate these titles two years in a row in any league takes a special person. Emiliano is aligned and synonymous with the new edition of the Richmond Kickers and having him return to the culture here to build on the past two years is amazing.
“We are excited to further our long-term plan in 2022 and Emiliano is a big piece of that project. Having Emiliano and his family with us is important as we build the long-term version of the Richmond Kickers.”
In his first two seasons in Richmond, Terzaghi has planted his flag as USL League One’s marquee player after consecutive seasons earning league MVP awards and finishing as the league’s goal-scoring leader along with countless team of the week honors.
In 2021, Terzaghi earned Cleer Audio Player of the Month honors during the months of July and October, and he was regularly featured in the league’s weekly honors earning Cleer Audio Player of the Week in week 13 as well as recognition in the Cleer Audio Team of the Week during weeks 5, 17, 19, 25, 26, 28, and 30.
“Estoy muy feliz de quedarme en el club que lo siento como mi casa! Esperamos darle muchas alegrías a los fanáticos luchando para llevar a los kickers a lo más alto de la liga!”
“I am very happy to stay in the club that feels like my home,” Terzaghi said. “We hope to bring joy to the fans fighting to lead the Kickers to the top of the league.”
Terzaghi led the Kickers by example and as a co-captain alongside recently-retired Kickers’ defender Ivan Magalhães during the 2021 season. The Argentine talisman delivered 18 goals, including six game-winners, averaging a goal every 133.4 minutes. At the most important time of the season, Terzaghi bagged four game-winners and a brace during the Kickers’ five-match winning streak late in the season that propelled the club into the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season.
Almost as impressive as his lethal goal-scoring threat is Terzaghi’s offensive efficiency. While leading the league with 72 shots and placing 42 shots on target, Terzaghi would finish the season with a 25 percent conversion rate which led the Kickers and exceeded his expected goals (xG=17). Terzaghi’s hustle, intelligence, and positional awareness allowed him to score 17 of his 18 goals from inside the 18-yard box. Beyond his prolific scoring, Terzaghi averaged almost one chance created per game, and along with setting the new single-season goal-scoring record and becoming the league’s all-time leading goal scorer in 2021 (28 career goals), he also assisted two goals, including the game winner against North Texas SC on July 3, 2021.
On top of the league accolades and record-setting statistics, Terzaghi recently earned local recognition from the Richmond Region Tourism Foundation’s inaugural RVA Sports Awards. He is currently nominated for Male Athlete of the Year alongside VCU men’s basketball alumnus Na’Shon “Bones” Hyland and Sportable’s Chris Marston. The award winners will be announced at the official awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday, February 5.
With his objectives set for his third season in Richmond and the club’s historic 30th consecutive season, Terzaghi is itching to get back in front of the River City Red Army who awarded him the David Bulow Memorial Most Valuable Player of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons.
“El objetivo es pelear por ganar la liga la última temporada estuvimos cerca y sabemos lo que tenemos que mejorar para poder estar aún más cerca!
“No puedo esperar para volver a ver los a todos los fanáticos en el estadio de la ciudad cada los días de juego!”
“The objective is to fight to win the league,” Terzaghi said. “Last season we were close and we know what we have to improve to be even closer.
“I can’t wait to see all the fans at the City Stadium again every game day!”
2022 marks our historic 30th consecutive season! The USL League One schedule is live and fans can begin to plot their nights at City Stadium! Reserve your spot today at https://www.richmondkickers.com/seasontickets where you can purchase full-season general admission or premium seating options!
Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at www.richmondkickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!
TRANSACTION: Richmond Kickers retain Emiliano Terzaghi for the 2022 USL League One season on January 13, 2022.
