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Match Recap: Kickers Fall To League Leaders NCFC

Richmond Kickers 1, North Carolina FC 3

Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
RICHMOND KICKERS   1 86′ Fitch (Vinyals)
NORTH CAROLINA FC   316′ Anderson (Servania), 53′ Anderson (Mentzingen), 81′ Maldonado

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (6-9-9, 27 pts) fell at home, Saturday night, to league leaders North Carolina FC (13-4-5, 44 pts). 

Richmond native, Simon Fitch, netted his first professional goal from a corner kicker in the second half as the Kickers mounted a comeback attempt in front of a vibrant crowd of over 5,500 fans.

NCFC opened the scoring in the 16th minute from a corner kick of their own. Jaden Servania played an inswinging ball that found former Kicker, Oalex Anderson, at the near post who flicked the ball into the net.

The Kickers nearly found an equalizer 14 minutes later after NCFC conceded a handball on the edge of the penalty area. Nil Vinyals set up for a free kick at the top of the box and drilled an attempt that deflected off the wall and toward the goal. Emiliano Terzaghi, with a split-second reaction, got a foot to the deflection, but the NCFC keeper was there to stop the shot before it rolled in.

NCFC found a second goal a couple of minutes out of the halftime break as Rafa Mentzingen found Anderson on the left wing. Anderson shot the ball that deflected off a Richmond defender’s legs and took an awkward bounce to find the back of the net in the 53rd minute.

The visitors found their final goal of the night in the 81st minute as Mikey Maldonado put back a deflected clearance.

In the 86th minute, Vinyals served up Fitch from the left corner. The midfielder played an inswinging ball into the six-yard box as Fitch, with his back to goal, rose up and flicked the ball backward past the keeper and into the net.

The assist marked Vinyals’ team-high fourth of the season.

The Kickers are on the road next Saturday, August 26th at Lexington SC for the third and final meeting of the season against one of USL League One’s debutants. Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m. The club will host an official watch party at the Ardent Barrel Room.

The Roos then return home Wednesday, August 30th to host Central Valley Fuego FC on RVA Community Night presented by Broadbent Selections. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Match Recap: Kickers Fall At Chattanooga

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 3, Richmond Kickers 2

RICHMOND KICKERS   2 43′ Bentley (Terzaghi), 48′ Sierakowski (Vinyals)
CHATTANOOGA RED WOLVES SC   356′ Mensah, 72′ Renteria, 78′ Marsh (Ualefi)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. — The Richmond Kickers (6-8-9, 27 pts) fell on the road, Saturday night, to Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (5-12-5, 20 pts). 

Emiliano Terzaghi became the third Richmond Kicker in the USL League One era to reach 100 appearances across all competitions.

Matthew Bentley and Terzaghi combined for the first goal of the night in the 43rd minute.

Simon Fitch played a through ball to Terzaghi who cut the ball out to the right in the penalty area as Bentley cut inside. Terzaghi took a dribble before playing a low cross that Bentley one-timed with his right foot and curled it past the keeper to take the lead. It marked the first goal for Bentley this season as well as Terzaghi’s first assist in USL League One play this season.

On the other side of the halftime break, the Kickers found their second thanks to the combination of Nil Vinyals and Ryan Sierakowski. After earning a corner kick, Vinyals served up an inswinging ball into the middle of the box that Sierakowski powered on frame, and, despite a Chattanooga defender getting his head to the shot, the ball still found the back of the net.

The assist from the corner marked Vinyals second-straight match with an assist from the corner. It was also his third assist of the season which tied him for the team lead.

In the 56th minute, Chattanooga found their first of the night after Ropapa Mensah found space just outside of the penalty area and hit a shot that found the far side netting.

Richmond nearly re-doubled its lead a minute later as Sierakowski had the ball on the left side of the penalty area and played a low cross to the near post. Bentley was running onto the ball but couldn’t quite get his foot to the ball to redirect it into the goal.

Chattanooga found its equalizer and go-ahead midway through the second half. Richard Renteria was first to get his foot onto the ball as the Kickers tried to clear the ball out of the danger area and drew the game level in the 72nd minute. Chevone Marsh scored the eventual game-winner six minutes later with a pacey shot that found the far side of the netting.

Richmond pressed for an equalizer of their own in the final 15 minutes and nearly found an opportunity in stoppage time as a well-placed ball found Landon Johnson in the box. The forward attempted to shake his marker to find a shot but had the ball poked away at the last second.

The Kickers still took the season series over the Red Wolves, 2-1-0, after Richmond won successive matches at City Stadium in June and July.

The Kickers return home next Saturday, August 19th to host first-place North Carolina FC on Youth Soccer and RVAccess Night presented by The Richmond Times-Dispatch. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Match Recap: Hornsby’s Goal At The Death Secures Kickers’ Comeback Against First-Place NCFC

Richmond Kickers 2, North Carolina FC 2

Richmond Kickers vs NCFC – 8-9-2023
RICHMOND KICKERS   2 33′ Terzaghi (Vinyals), 90+6′ Hornsby
NORTH CAROLINA FC   236′ McLaughlin (Blanco), 60′ Hornsby (Own Goal)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (6-7-9, 27 pts) drew first-place North Carolina FC (11-4-5, 38 pts), Wednesday night after Michael Hornsby scored his first-ever Kickers’ goal in the final seconds of stoppage time to complete the comeback.

Down 2-1, in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage, the Kickers were pressing for their equalizer.

Nathan Aune reset play with a long throw-in that lofted into NCFC’s penalty area. The ball took a deflection off of Chandler O’Dwyer’s marker as the pair went up for a header, and it bounced further into the danger area. Hornsby quickly ran onto the ball and hit a one-time volley with his left foot that curled away from the goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net.

Hornsby then raced to Section O where he was lifted into the stands to celebrate the late equalizer with the Red Army.

The Kickers opened the scoring in the 33rd minute following an even opening to the match as the Kickers looked to build through the visitors as NCFC pressed without the ball.

After earning a corner kick, Nil Vinyals delivered a perfect inswinging ball to the near post as Emiliano Terzaghi rose up to beat his marker. The forward deftly flicked the ball past the keeper to draw first blood and register his 10th goal of the season — marking his fourth straight season with double-digit goals scored.

The visitors evened the scoreline three minutes later.

Nelson Blanco crossed the ball into the Kickers’ penalty area which found the head of Garrett McLaughlin. The forward headed the ball to the far post and found the back of the net.

NCFC took the lead from a set-piece of their own in the 60th minute. Following a corner kick attempt that was deflected out, Rafa Mentzingen played the deflection back into the penalty area. It appeared as though Gustavo Fernandes was the one to get his head on the ball and head it into the goal, however, it was later ruled that the ball took a deflection off of Hornsby for the own goal.

The Kickers nearly found their equalizer prior to second-half stoppage time as Terzaghi and Ryan Sierakowski brought pressure on NCFC’s defense in transition.

In the 62nd minute, Justin Sukow found Terzaghi who carried the ball into the box before ripping a shot that appeared to take a deflection before going wide.

Eight minutes later, the Kickers would get the ball from their own penalty area to NCFC’s with three passes as Dakota Barnathan picked out Matthew Bentley at midfield who laid the ball off to João Gomiero. The midfielder then found Sierakowski on the left wing who carried the ball into the box and ripped a bouncing shot through traffic that forced the NCFC keeper to go to ground to make the save.

The point earned from the draw marked the seventh point of the season earned from a losing position for the Kickers which ranks third in the league.

Richmond is on the road this weekend to face Chattanooga Red Wolves SC this Saturday, August 12th. The Kickers will host the official watch party at Home Team Grill. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

They then return home the next Saturday, August 19th to again host first-place North Carolina FC on Youth Soccer and RVAccess Night presented by The Richmond Times-Dispatch. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Match Recap: Kickers Fall In Tightly Contested Henny Derby Second Leg

Richmond Kickers 1, Forward Madison FC 2

Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
RICHMOND KICKERS   1 87′ Barnathan (penalty)
FORWARD MADISON FC   235′ Bartman, 74′ Onen (Gebhard)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (6-7-8, 26 pts) fell at home, Saturday night, to rivals Forward Madison FC (9-5-6, 33 pts) in the second leg of the Henny Derby. 

The Kickers enjoyed early chances to find the breakthrough.

In the 18th minute, João Gomiero threaded the needle with a piercing ball up the middle to Emiliano Terzaghi who timed his run perfectly. The striker carried the ball into the box and took a shot across his body that forced a dive from the opposing keeper but went wide of the far post.

Later, in the 33rd minute, Chandler O’Dwyer received the ball on the top of the box, cut inside, and curled a shot that appeared to force a finger-tip save from the keeper, but the assistant referee raised the flag for a goal kick.

Forward Madison would find the first goal of the night in the 35th minute.

Jayden Onen picked up the ball just outside of the Kickers’ penalty area. Onen turned inside and crossed it to the foot of Nazeem Bartman in the center of the box who took a heavy touch towards the goal as the Kickers’ defenders closed in on the play. However, Bartman would get a last-second touch on the ball to force it over the line as the Kickers nearly cleared it from danger.

In the second half, in the 52nd minute, the Kickers nearly found their equalizer starting from Gomiero. The midfielder played a ball over the defenders from deep into the box, forcing a diving header from Terzaghi who glanced the ball to the far post but it went just wide. 

In the 64th minute, Nathan Aune would thread a ball to Simon Fitch on the right wing. Fitch perfectly crossed the ball to the feet of Terzaghi who forced a save from Madison’s Bernd Schipmann. 

Forward Madison doubled its lead in the 74th minute through Onen who received a pass from Derek Gebhard and hit a low-driven shot to make it 2-0.

The Kickers would earn a penalty from a handball in the box by a Forward Madison defender.

Despite the visitors’ best attempts to disrupt the penalty spot, Dakota Barnathan stepped up and beat the keeper with pace to make it 2-1 in the 87th minute.

Barnathan nearly delivered the equalizer in the third minute of second-half stoppage. Justin Sukow played a free kick into the box and found Barnathan on the far post who headed the ball back down across the goal mouth. As the ball bounced, Matthew Bentley threw his body toward the post to deflect the header into the net, but the ball had just enough pace and went wide.

The Kickers remain at home this Wednesday, August 9th to host first-place North Carolina FC on Family Night presented by Village Bank. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Match Recap: Kickers Share The Points On The Road At Lexington SC

Lexington SC 2, Richmond Kickers 2

RICHMOND KICKERS   2  7′ Vinyals (Gomiero), 16′ Vinyals
LEXINGTON SC   210′ Smart (Penalty), 68′ Fitch (Own Goal)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The Richmond Kickers (6-6-8, 26 pts) shared the points on the road at Lexington SC (4-9-6, 18 pts), Saturday night, following a 2-2 result that saw Nil Vinyals record his first brace of the season.

Vinyals drew first blood in the 7th minute.

João Gomiero had the ball on the left wing near the backline before lofting a ball back towards Vinyals. The midfielder was in the process of controlling the ball as Don Smart clattered through Vinyals but no call was made. Instead, Vinyals quickly gathered himself and the ball and drove in the direction of the goal, shaking the incoming defender Kaelon Fox, and he shot a low-driven ball that skipped on the ground and beat the keeper.

The hosts had the opportunity to equalize minutes later from the penalty spot after Akira Fitzgerald was called for a foul in the box when the keeper punched out a loose ball and Nico Brown jumped into the contact. 

Smart converted the attempt to knot up the scoreline in the 10th minute.

In the 15th minute, Emiliano Terzaghi was brought down just outside of the penalty area while going for a loose ball resulting in a free kick for Richmond. Vinyals stepped up to the dead ball and fired an arching attempt that beat the keeper with pace and smashed into the upper right-hand corner of the goal to take the lead back.

Fitzgerald kept the lead intact for the Kickers in the 28th minute with a point-blank reaction save. Lexington took a short corner before whipping a ball toward the far post that was then headed back across the goalmouth. Ates Diouf, feet from the goal, hit a volley on target as Fitzgerald shifted and made a save with his feet.

Lexington found the final goal of the match in the 68th minute. Khalid Balogun received the ball on the right wing and played a low cross into the Kickers’ penalty area. The ball missed its intended target of Seo-In Kim who was crashing into the box and caught the leg of Simon Fitch near the far post and ricocheted into the net.

Richmond had a chance to take back the lead in the closing seconds of second-half stoppage time. Michael Hornsby played an in-swinging cross that found the head of Nathan Aune but the attempt was blocked by his marker and cleared out of the box as the referee blew the final whistle.

The Kickers return home next Saturday, August 5th to host Forward Madison FC on Sports Fore RVA night presented by the First Tee – Greater Richmond. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Match Recap: Kickers Fall At League Leaders Northern Colorado Hailstorm

Northern Colorado Hailstorm 3, Richmond Kickers 1

RICHMOND KICKERS   1  17′ Folla (Own Goal)
NORTHERN COLORADO HAILSTORM   350′ Opara (Rogers), 72′ Hernandez, 83′ King (Powder)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

WINDSOR, Colo. — The Richmond Kickers (6-6-7, 25 pts) fell on the road at the USL League One leader, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (10-1-5, 35 pts), Saturday night as the hosts took the overall season series.

The match started back and forth as NoCo found a half-chance in the 11th minute that ended with a shot wide of the goal before the Kickers answered with their own half-chance from a corner kick in the 13th minute.

Four minutes later, Richmond found their breakthrough.

Michael Hornsby and Ryan Sierakowski linked up for a give-and-go near midfield before Sierakowski lofted a pass up the left wing that Hornsby ran onto and, unmarked, cut inside toward the penalty area. He then lasered a low cross into the box as Nil Vinyals and Emiliano Terzaghi both made runs to the six-yard box with Northern Colorado’s Leo Folla trying to get between them. As all three went for the cross the ball would then take a deflection off of Folla and made its way into the net.

Richmond created a chance to nearly double its lead in the 37th minute from a corner kick. After the ensuing corner was deflected away, Terzaghi scooped up the ball and passed it back out to Vinyals who whipped a cross back into the danger area. The ball was deflected up into the air and Nathan Aune caught the ball on the volley and sent it on target, forcing a save from the keeper.

The Kickers took a lead into the half as the hosts made changes at the break to try and find an equalizer.

It took 49 minutes for NoCo to register their first shot on target but it proved to be the tying goal as Arthur Rogers hit an inswinging cross that found the head of Lucky Opara who sent it into the net.

Halftime substitute Marky Hernandez found the go-ahead 22 minutes later. A Northern Colorado counterattack saw Trevor Amann take a shot on target that was deflected at the line, but Hernandez was able to get a foot on the ball and score on the putback.

Less than five days after making his Kickers debut against Comunicaciones FC in the club’s international friendly, 16-year-old Landon Johnson made his league debut, subbing on for Sierakowski in the 79th minute.

Northern Colorado doubled its lead in the 82nd minute as Billy King hit a curling shot from the top of the box after Noah Powder set him up with a cross from a counterattack.

The Kickers remain on the road as they make their first-ever trip to Lexington SC on Saturday, July 29th. The club will host an official watch party for the match at Three Notch’d RVA Collab House. Kickoff in the Bluegrass State is set for 7:00 p.m.

Richmond then returns home on Saturday, August 5th to host Forward Madison FC on Super Secret Mystery Theme Night presented by First Tee – Greater Richmond. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Match Recap: Kickers Draw In Hard-Fought Match; Announce W League Team Launching in 2024

Richmond Kickers 2, Charlotte Independence 2

Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
RICHMOND KICKERS   2  8′ Sierakowski, 61′ Terzaghi (Fitch)
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE   211′ Johnson (Ibarra), 85′ Mbuyu (Djédjé)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (6-5-7, 24 pts) split the points against Charlotte Independence (7-5-6, 26 pts), Saturday night in a hard-fought match at City Stadium. Ryan Sierakowski scored his first goal as a Kicker and Emiliano Terzaghi scored his ninth of the season.

Richmond started on the front foot with Sierakowski opening the scoring in the eighth minute. Nathan Aune started the play with a long throw into the box which was headed by two Charlotte defenders towards the feet of Sierakowski who took the shot cleanly with his left foot to secure the early lead for the Kickers. 

The visitors found their equalizer in the 10th minute. Charlotte’s Miguel Ibarra moved the ball down the left sideline and crossed it to Joel Johnson who caught the ball with a right-footed volley.

Richmond would continue to put pressure on the Charlotte defense, taking 10 shots in the first half with four on target and 32 final-third entries to Charlotte’s 23.

In the 41st minute, Charlotte launched a counterattack through Avionne Flanagan who collected the ball just outside of Charlotte’s box and sprinted the length of the field. Akira Fitzgerald was able to anticipate the shot, close the angle, and go to ground to make the save to keep the score level.

After the break, the Kickers came out energized and pressured Charlotte with multiple chances right out of the gate. 

In the 61st minute, Simon Fitch received a pass from Zaca Moran on the right side of the field. Fitch moved quickly down the line towards the Charlotte goal and played a perfectly weighted pass to Emiliano Terzaghi who split his defensive markers. Terzaghi carried the ball into the box and slotted his shot neatly in the top right corner for his ninth goal of the season. 

Using this momentum, the Kickers attacked Charlotte’s defense searching for their third goal of the match. Fitch was involved again in the 74th minute when Matthew Bentley brought down a lobbed through ball and played it in the middle for Fitch. Fitch collected it and hit it cleanly on target, but it was saved by Charlotte’s keeper. 

In the 84th minute, Charlotte would win the ball at half-field and launch a counterattack through the middle. Tresor Mbuyu received the ball near the top of the box before hitting a shot from a narrow-angle that barely secured the late equalizer for the Independence.

During halftime as a part of celebrating Women In Sports Night with the YMCA of Greater Richmond, Kickers’ Chairman and CEO, Rob Ukrop, alongside former Richmond Kickers Destiny players, Mary MacKenzie-Grier, Jen Winnagle, Kimmy Cummings, Jessica Mendez, and Carter Blair Yeisley, announced that Richmond was bringing a USL W League expansion team to the River City in 2024.

Stay tuned to the W League Richmond social channels on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter for more updates ahead of kickoff in 2024 including technical staff, branding, jerseys, and more!

Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

The Kickers remain at home to host their first international friendly at City Stadium since 2018 when they host Comunicaciones FC of Guatemala on Tuesday, July 18th. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Kickers Sign Nicholas Simmonds to USL Academy Contract

The 16-year-old becomes the second second-generation Kickers player

Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography | Illustration by Nathan Heintschel, Director of Communications and Digital Media

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to share that midfielder Nicholas Simmonds has signed a USL Academy contract for the remainder of the 2023 season, pending league and federation approval.

“Nicholas is a talented young player with a big ceiling,” Richmond Kickers’ Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach, Darren Sawatzky said. “We feel he is ready for the day-in, day-out rigors of training with professional players. He is a gifted player with good passing range and the ability to unlock defenses. He comes from a strong soccer family and we are very happy to add his acumen to the ranks here. 

“The next couple years are going to be exciting with young talented players chasing the game with the Richmond Kickers. If you are good enough, you are old enough. We expect Nicholas to challenge for minutes after he returns from the national finals with Richmond United.”

Simmonds becomes the second second-generation player to don the Kickers’ shirt after his father Gregory Simmonds previously played for the club in 2003. The Midlothian native is the fifth player with Richmond United pedigree to sign a USL Academy contract with the Kickers during the 2023 season. 

Now, Simmonds relishes the opportunity to represent his hometown on the professional stage.

“When I first had a talk with Darren about the possibility of earning an academy contract, it was straightforward and exciting,” Simmonds said. “I’ve lived in Richmond my whole life and to sign for the team I grew up around is something special. I couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day.

“To be able to compete at a high level and push myself every day without having to leave town is very special to me. I hope that more kids from the club can take advantage of this path.”

Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

Simmonds joins the Kickers already having a penchant for creativity in the center of the park and making forward runs. A towering presence at 6-foot-3, he looks to create chances for both himself and his teammates to score.

“We are gradually starting to see early glimpses of the benefits of our recently established partnership with Richmond United to have a full pathway for players to get after their goals and pursue their dreams right here in Richmond,” Richmond Kickers’ Head Assistant Coach and Richmond United Technical Director, Mika Elovaara said. “I have observed Nicholas’s potential for a few years now and am thrilled to see this next step on his journey. 

“It is important to keep in mind that having players like Nicholas and Landon [Johnson] immersed in both the pro environment and the academy environment benefits everyone, not just the specific players and our team, but the greater RVA soccer community as well. 

“Nicholas is a young man whose family values align with our core pillars, and his soccer potential should make our fans thrilled to see him on the ball. Beyond helping our pro team strive for championships, these young men help us reinforce and deepen our shared culture of humility, hard work, ambition and the pursuit of excellence. I am looking forward to working with Nicholas on and off the field every single day.”

Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

A fixture in the Richmond youth soccer scene along with many of his family members, he is the brother of Kameron Simmonds who is a Richmond United alum, a member of the University of Tennessee’s Lady Volunteers varsity soccer team, and a member of the Jamaican women’s national team who will compete in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The midfielder will look to make his mark in the Kickers’ first team as he returns from the national finals with Richmond United.

“My goal is to continue to push myself and my teammates and to be an important part of this team,” Simmonds said.

Simmonds is available for selection for the Kickers’ international friendly this upcoming Tuesday, July 18 when the Kickers host Guatemalan Giants and CONCACAF Champions, Comunicaciones FC. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

TRANSACTION: Nicholas Simmonds signs with the Kickers on a USL Academy contract for the remainder of the 2023 USL League One season on July 13, 2023.

Rostered Players for 2023 as of July 13, 2023 

GOALKEEPERS: Akira Fitzgerald, Will Palmquist, James Sneddon
DEFENDERS: Nathan Aune, Michael Hornsby, Dakota Barnathan, Simon Fitch, Otavio Zerbini, Beckett Howell, Jake Mecham, Chris Cole
MIDFIELDERS: Chandler O’Dwyer, João Gomiero, Nil Vinyals, Zaca Moran, Gabe Cox, Nicholas Simmonds
FORWARDS: Emiliano Terzaghi, Matthew Bentley, Owayne Gordon, Luke Pavone, David Olsen, Justin Sukow, Kharlton Belmar, Ethan Vanacore-Decker, Ryan Sierakowski, Landon Johnson

Match Recap: Kickers Fall On The Road At Union Omaha

Union Omaha 4, Richmond Kickers 1

RICHMOND KICKERS     1  39′ Terzaghi (penalty)
UNION OMAHA     424′ Scearce (Doyle), 49′ Meza (Acoff), 68′ Dos Santos, 79′ Dos Dantos (Brito)

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

PAPILLION, Neb. — The Richmond Kickers (6-5-6, 24 pts) fell 4-1 on the road to Union Omaha (5-3-7, 22 pts), Saturday night. Emiliano Terzaghi scored his eighth goal of the season.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a corner kick. Omaha’s Dion Acoff received a pass on the right wing and cut inside before hitting a curling effort on target that forced a diving save from Will Palmquist. On the subsequent corner, JP Scearce was able to get his head to the ball near the back post and power it into the net.

The Kickers pushed for an equalizer and found it near the end of the first half.

After forcing a turnover in Omaha’s half, João Gomiero lofted a ball up the right wing to Ryan Sierakowski who gathered the ball and cut it inside to Terzaghi. Alexis Souahy clipped Terzaghi’s legs as he ran to the ball and the referee pointed to the spot. The forward calmly sent Rashid Nuhu diving in the wrong direction as he slotted the ball into the net.

Two minutes later, Omaha went down a man after Joe Gallardo was shown a straight red card for a headbutt on Terzaghi.

The hosts found a go-ahead goal early in the second half from a Noe Meza header that allowed them to then bunker in and counter as the Kickers worked to find another equalizer.

A pair of goals from second-half substitute Steevan dos Santos would allow the Owls to see out their victory despite the Kickers nearly finding the back of the net during several flurries towards the end of the second half.

Richmond remains in fourth place in the USL League One standings as they aim to bounce back next Saturday, July 15th against fifth-place Charlotte Independence.

During the Kickers’ match next weekend, the club will host Women In Sports Night presented by the YMCA of Greater Richmond. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

Match Recap: Kickers Deliver Fireworks On and Off the Pitch with 2-0 Win In Front of 5,858 Fans

Richmond Kickers 2, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 0

Richmond Kickers vs Chattanooga Redwolves 7-1-23
RICHMOND KICKERS     2  49′ Terzaghi (penalty), 69′ Vinyals (penalty)
CHATTANOOGA RED WOLVES SC     0

FULL MATCH REPORT (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers (6-4-6, 24 pts) vaulted back into third place in USL League One with a 2-0 win over Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (3-9-3, 12 pts), Saturday night. Emiliano Terzaghi and Nil Vinyals each converted penalty kicks to secure the Kickers’ win in front of 5,858 fans.

After a lengthy rain delay, the Kickers were able to start the first half quickly with a chance starting from Nil Vinyals who controlled a pass and chipped it over a defender back to Ryan Sierakowski. 

Sierakowski dribbled back, holding off three defenders, and played it back up to Vinyals who cut inside and laid it off to Justin Sukow. After receiving the pass, Sukow controlled the pass on the top of the box and fed it to Simon Fitch who hit it first time into the middle of the box creating a very close chance for Terzaghi. 

In the 21st minute, Chattanooga moved the ball up the field on a counterattack. Jake Mecham rapidly chased down Pedro Hernandez in a full-field sprint to get in between Hernandez and the ball and force it out for a Kickers’ throw-in before facing the Red Army and pumping up the crowd.

Just two minutes later, Pedro Hernandez had another opportunity when he recovered the ball just outside of the Kickers’ box. Hernandez curled a long-range shot toward the bottom corner of the goal requiring a quick save from Will Palmquist. 

The Kickers pushed forward using the momentum built up during the first half to push for their first goal early in the second half.

In the 47th minute, Nathan Aune launched the ball into the box from a throw-in towards Dakota Barnathan who was brought down by Ropapa Mensah for a Richmond penalty. 

Emiliano Terzaghi stepped up and confidently smashed the shot into the top left for his seventh goal of the season and his fifth in as many matches; bringing him within one goal of the golden boot leader Trevor Amann. 

Palmquist would be required again in the 66th minute when Chattanooga’s Ernesto Espinoza found space in the middle of the field, just outside the Kickers’ box, and curled a shot top corner forcing a brilliant reaction save from Palmquist that sent him flying into the near post. 

In the 68th minute, Richmond was on the counterattack and Chattanooga’s Felipe Liborio Jr. came flying in with a slide tackle to bring Sierakowski down in the box for Richmond’s second penalty of the night. Nil Vinyals stepped up and slotted it perfectly into the bottom right, beating the keeper who for his first goal of the season.

Late in stoppage time, Chattanooga had their last opportunity to score from Chevone Marsh who took the ball to the Kickers’ corner, cut in, and blasted a shot towards the top left of the goal. Palmquist dove quickly and got his hands behind it to force it out for a corner securing the Richmond clean sheet.

The Kickers are on the road next Saturday at Union Omaha, Saturday, July 8. Kickoff for the match is slated for 8 p.m. ET. The Kickers will hold an official watch party at Home Team Grill in The Fan.

Richmond returns home on Saturday, July 15 to host Charlotte Independence on Women In Sports Night presented by the YMCA of Greater Richmond. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

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