2023 Richmond Kickers season

Last updated

Richmond Kickers
2023 season
Owner22 Holdings, LLC
Head coach Darren Sawatzky
Stadium City Stadium
USL League One 11th
U.S. Open Cup Third round
Top goalscorerLeague: Emiliano Terzaghi (10 goals)
All: Emiliano Terzaghi (12)
Highest home attendance6,000 (vs. Charlotte Independence – April 1)
6,000 (vs. Tormenta FC – September 30)
Lowest home attendance3,143 (vs. North Carolina FC – August 9)
Average home league attendance4,786
←  2022
2024  →

The 2023 Richmond Kickers season was the club's 31st season in existence, their fifth season in USL League One, and their 19th season in the third tier of American soccer. The Kickers will be led by fourth-year head coach, Darren Sawatzky. The USL League One season started on March 18, 2023.

Contents

Background

The 2022 season was the club's 30th season of existence, their fourth season in USL League One, and third year under head coach Darren Sawatzky. The Kickers had their strongest regular season showing since 2013 and won the USL League One regular season title with 51 points; they amassed a record of 14 wins, seven losses, and nine draws. Striker Emiliano Terzaghi led the Kickers and USL League One in scoring with 18 goals.

Outside of USL League One, the Kickers participated in the U.S. Open Cup, and the league playoffs, which they qualified for with their first-place finish during the regular season. The Kickers reached the fourth round of the Open Cup, before losing to Major League Soccer expansion side Charlotte FC. The Kickers began the Playoffs in the semifinal round on October 29, where they were eliminated.

Transfers

Transfers in

DatePositionNo.NameFromFee/notesRef.
December 13, 2022FW8 Flag of Brazil.svg João Gomiero Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina Fusion Free [1]
December 15, 2022DF25 Flag of Germany.svg Michael Hornsby Flag of the United States.svg Central Valley Fuego Free [2]
January 31, 2023FW19 Flag of the United States.svg Justin Sukow Flag of the United States.svg Forward Madison Free [3]
February 2, 2023DF34 Flag of the United States.svg Beckett Howell Flag of the United States.svg Richmond Kickers AcademyFree [4]
MF33 Flag of the United States.svg Gabe Cox Flag of the United States.svg Richmond Kickers AcademyFree [4]
February 7, 2023DF16 Flag of the United States.svg Jake Mecham Flag of the United States.svg Denver Pioneers Free [5]
February 9, 2023FW99 Flag of Grenada.svg Kharlton Belmar Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Springs Switchbacks Free [6]
June 12, 2023FW17 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Sierakowski Flag of the United States.svg Tormenta Free [7]

Transfers out

DatePositionNo.NameToFee/notesRef.
December 7, 2021MF7 Flag of the United States.svg Matt Bolduc Option declined [8]
MF11 Flag of Argentina.svg Leonardo Baima Option declined [8]
GK13 Flag of the United States.svg Austin Causey Flag of the United States.svg Lexington SC Option declined [8]
MF20 Flag of El Salvador.svg Christian Molina Option declined [8]
December 13, 2022MF8 Flag of the United States.svg Ethan Bryant Flag of the United States.svg Sporting Kansas City Undisclosed [9]
January 4, 2023DF5 Flag of the United States.svg Stuart Ritchie Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew Free [10]
February 6, 2023MF17 Flag of the United States.svg Jonathan Bolanos Flag of the United States.svg Huntsville City Free [11]

Non-competitive

Preseason exhibitions

February 11, 2023 (2023-02-11)1 Richmond Kickers 1–1 Loudoun United FC Midlothian, Virginia
1:00 p.m. EDT Gomiero Soccerball shade.svg62' Report Williamson Soccerball shade.svg54'Stadium: River City Sportsplex
Attendance: 100
February 15, 2023 (2023-02-15)2 Richmond Kickers 3–3 VCU Rams Glen Allen, Virginia
1:00 p.m. EDT Terzaghi Soccerball shade.svg
Pavone Soccerball shade.svg
Gomiero Soccerball shade.svg		 Report White Soccerball shade.svg
Gallegos Soccerball shade.svg
Toure Soccerball shade.svg		Stadium: Strikers Soccer Complex
Attendance: 50
February 18, 2023 (2023-02-18)3 VCU Rams 2–3 Richmond Kickers Richmond, Virginia
1:00 p.m. EDTStadium: Sports Backers Stadium
February 25, 2023 (2023-02-25)4 Richmond Kickers 3–1 Old Dominion Monarchs Richmond, Virginia
11:00 a.m. EDTStadium: City Stadium
February 25, 2023 (2023-02-25)5 Richmond Kickers 4–2 VCU Rams Richmond, Virginia
2:00 p.m. EDT Report Stadium: City Stadium
March 1, 2023 (2023-03-01)6 Richmond Kickers 2–0 James Madison Dukes Richmond, Virginia
11:00 a.m. EDT Sukow Soccerball shade.svg21'
Gomiero Soccerball shade.svg41'		Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 350
March 1, 2023 (2023-03-01)7 Richmond Kickers 2–2 Old Dominion Monarchs Richmond, Virginia
2:00 p.m. EDT Belmar Soccerball shade.svg32', 54' Jenkins Soccerball shade.svg45'
Gallaway Soccerball shade.svg68'		Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 350

Midseason friendly

July 18, 2023 (2023-07-18) Richmond Kickers 2–4 Flag of Guatemala.svg Comunicaciones Richmond, Virginia
7:30 p.m. EDT
Stadium: City Stadium

Competitions

USL League One

Table

PosTeam
PldWLTGFGAGDPts
8 One Knoxville SC 32912113639−338
9 Lexington SC 32714114657−1132
10 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 3281774665−1931
11 Richmond Kickers 32615114255−1329
12 Central Valley Fuego FC 3262153661−2523
Source: USL League One
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 6) disciplinary points; 7) drawing of lots.

Regular season

All times in Eastern Time Zone.

March 18, 2023 (2023-03-18)1 Charlotte Independence 0–0 Richmond Kickers Charlotte, North Carolina
5:00 p.m. Dutey Yellow card.svg 43' Report Morán Yellow card.svg 7'
Hornsby Yellow card.svg 31'
Sukow Yellow card.svg 75'
Terzaghi Yellow card.svg 90+5'		Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 3,947
Referee: Danielle Chesky
March 25, 2023 (2023-03-25)2 Greenville Triumph SC 0–1 Richmond Kickers Greenville, South Carolina
7:00 p.m. Labovitz Yellow card.svg 90+5' Report Belmar Soccerball shade.svg12'
Fitch Yellow card.svg 46'
Vinyals Yellow card.svg 82'
Pavone Yellow card.svg 90+4'		Stadium: Paladin Stadium
Attendance: 2,879
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
April 1, 2023 (2023-04-01)3 Richmond Kickers 1–2 Charlotte Independence Richmond, Virginia
6:00 p.m. Gordon Soccerball shade.svg25'Yellow card.svg 90+7'
Belmar Yellow card.svg 58'
Vinyals Yellow card.svg 75'		 Report Dimick Soccerball shade.svg13'
Ciss Yellow card.svg 51'
Hornsby Soccerball shade.svg62' (o.g.)
Spielman Yellow card.svg 77'
Johnson Yellow card.svg 79'
Bennett Yellow card.svg 88'
Pack Yellow card.svg 90+2'		Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: John Matto
April 15, 2023 (2023-04-15)4 Richmond Kickers 0–0 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC Richmond, Virginia
6:00 p.m. Aune Yellow card.svg 81' Report Lukić Yellow card.svg 18'
Rendón Yellow card.svg 65'		Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,024
Referee: Gary Gutierrez
April 29, 2023 (2023-04-29)5 Tormenta FC 1–3 Richmond Kickers Statesboro, Georgia
7:30 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Tormenta Stadium
Attendance: 1,263
Referee: Luis Arroyo
May 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)6 Richmond Kickers 0–0 Union Omaha Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m. Report Dos Santos Yellow card.svg 67'Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,418
Referee: John Matto
May 13, 2023 (2023-05-13)7 Greenville Triumph SC 2–2 Richmond Kickers Greenville, South Carolina
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Paladin Stadium
Attendance: 2,023
Referee: Olvin Oliva
May 17, 2023 (2023-05-17)8 North Carolina FC 3–2 Richmond Kickers Cary, North Carolina
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 1,377
Referee: José Carlos Rivero
May 20, 2023 (2023-05-20)9 Richmond Kickers 2–1 Lexington SC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,252
Referee: Adam Brzozowiec
May 27, 2023 (2023-05-27)10 Tormenta FC 1–1 Richmond Kickers Statesboro, Georgia
7:30 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Optim Sports Medicine Field
Attendance: 1,104
Referee: Aleksandar Zhelyazkov
June 3, 2023 (2023-06-03)11 Richmond Kickers 1–0 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,276
Referee: Gabriele Ciampi
June 7, 2023 (2023-06-07)12 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 2–0 Richmond Kickers Windsor, Colorado
9:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Future Legends Complex
Referee: Velimir Stefanovic
June 10, 2023 (2023-06-10)13 Central Valley Fuego FC 1–2 Richmond Kickers Fresno, California
10:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Fresno State Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 810
Referee: Turan Ozdemir
June 17, 2023 (2023-06-17)14 Richmond Kickers 0–1 Forward Madison FC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 4,902
Referee: Donovan Eubank
June 24, 2023 (2023-06-24)15 Richmond Kickers 2–2 One Knoxville SC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,863
Referee: Madzid Coric
July 1, 2023 (2023-07-01)16 Richmond Kickers 2–0 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,858
Referee: Edgar Garcia
July 8, 2023 (2023-07-08)17 Union Omaha 4–1 Richmond Kickers Papillion, Nebraska
8:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Werner Park
Attendance: 3,524
Referee: Kevin Fikar
July 15, 2023 (2023-07-15)18 Richmond Kickers 2–2 Charlotte Independence Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 4,951
Referee: Olvin Oliva
July 22, 2023 (2023-07-22)19 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 3–1 Richmond Kickers Windsor, Colorado
9:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Future Legends Complex
Attendance: 1,511
Referee: Turan Ozdemir
July 29, 2023 (2023-07-29)20 Lexington SC 2–2 Richmond Kickers Georgetown, Kentucky
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 2,105
Referee: Drew Klemp
August 5, 2023 (2023-08-05)21 Richmond Kickers 1–2 Forward Madison FC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m. Barnathan Soccerball shade.svg87' (pen.) Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 4,336
Referee: Cristian Campo
August 9, 2023 (2023-08-09)22 Richmond Kickers 2–2 North Carolina FC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,143
Referee: Gary Gutierrez
August 12, 2023 (2023-08-12)23 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 3–2 Richmond Kickers East Ridge, Tennessee
7:30 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: CHI Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 2,433
Referee: Alejo Calume
August 19, 2023 (2023-08-19)24 Richmond Kickers 1–3 North Carolina FC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,570
Referee: Gabriele Ciampi
August 26, 2023 (2023-08-26)25 Lexington SC 1–0 Richmond Kickers Georgetown, Kentucky
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 2,145
Referee: Richonne Clark
August 30, 2023 (2023-08-30)26 Richmond Kickers 3–3 Central Valley Fuego FC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,479
Referee: Gabriele Giusti
September 9, 2023 (2023-09-09)27 Union Omaha 2–1 Richmond Kickers Papillion, Nebraska
8:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Werner Park
Attendance: 4,046
Referee: Velimir Stefanovic
September 14, 2023 (2023-09-14)28 Forward Madison FC 2–0 Richmond Kickers Madison, Wisconsin
8:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Breese Stevens Field
Attendance: 3,878
Referee: Olvin Oliva
September 24, 2023 (2023-09-24)29 Richmond Kickers 1–2 Greenville Triumph SC Richmond, Virginia
6:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,470
Referee: Gary Gutierrez
September 30, 2023 (2023-09-30)30 Richmond Kickers 0–1 Tormenta FC Richmond, Virginia
6:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Richonne Clark
October 6, 2023 (2023-10-06)31 One Knoxville SC 2–2 Richmond Kickers Knoxville, Tennessee
7:30 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: Regal Stadium
Attendance: 1,925
Referee: Cristian Campo
October 14, 2023 (2023-10-14)32 Richmond Kickers 4–5 Central Valley Fuego FC Richmond, Virginia
6:00 p.m.
 Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 4,035
Referee: Amin Hadzic

U.S. Open Cup

April 6, 2023 (2023-04-06)Second round Richmond Kickers Flag of Virginia.svg 3–2 Flag of Ohio.svg Cleveland SC Richmond, Virginia
7:00 p.m. Barnathan Yellow card.svg 11'Soccerball shade.svg79'
Terzaghi Soccerball shade.svg31', 59'
Gomiero Yellow card.svg 34'
Fitch Yellow card.svg 55'		 Report Beck Soccerball shade.svg80'
Harter Soccerball shade.svg86'		Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,013
Referee: Christian Centeno
April 26, 2023 (2023-04-26)Third round D.C. United Flag of Washington, D.C.svg 1–0 Flag of Virginia.svg Richmond Kickers Washington, D.C.
7:30 p.m.
 Report Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 8,686
Referee: John Griggs

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of October 14, 2023. Numbers after plus–sign (+) denote appearances as a substitute. [12]
No.PosNatPlayerTotal USL1 USL1 Playoffs U.S. Open Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Akira Fitzgerald 22022+000+000+00
2 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Dakota Barnathan 23221+110+001+01
3 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Chris Cole 1508+700+000+00
4 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Simon Fitch 32232+020+000+00
6 MF Flag of Argentina.svg  ARG Zacarías Morán 31030+000+001+00
7 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ethan Vanacore-Decker 300+300+000+00
8 FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA João Gomiero 28421+640+001+00
9 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Matt Bentley 30117+1210+001+00
10 MF Flag of Spain.svg  ESP Nil Vinyals28626+160+001+00
11 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA David Olsen 500+500+000+00
14 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Luke Pavone 1312+1010+001+00
16 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jake Mecham2204+1700+001+00
17 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ryan Sierakowski 21416+540+000+00
19 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Justin Sukow 31226+420+000+10
24 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nathan Aune 32231+020+001+00
25 DF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Michael Hornsby 28128+010+000+00
27 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Chandler O'Dwyer 24210+1420+000+00
29 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Will Palmquist 12010+100+001+00
30 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Eli Mumford000+000+000+00
31 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Otavio Zerbini000+000+000+00
32 FW Flag of Argentina.svg  ARG Emiliano Terzaghi 241223+0100+001+02
33 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Gabe Cox600+600+000+00
34 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Beckett Howell1304+800+000+10
36 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Landon Johnson1103+800+000+00
37 MF Flag of Jamaica.svg  JAM Nicholas Simmonds710+710+000+00
91 FW Flag of Jamaica.svg  JAM Owayne Gordon 1914+1510+000+00
99 FW Flag of Grenada.svg  GRN Kharlton Belmar 21217+420+000+00

References

  1. ↑ Heintschel, Nathan (December 13, 2022). "Kickers Sign Standout USL League Two Midfielder João Gomiero". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Kickers Sign Versatile German Defender Michael Hornsby". richmondkickers.com. December 15, 2022.
  3. ↑ Heintschel, Nathan (January 31, 2023). "Creative Forward Justin Sukow Joins the Kickers". richmondkickers.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Heintschel, Nathan (February 2, 2023). "Kickers Announce 4 Academy Signings for the 2023 Season". richmondkickers.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Dynamic Fullback Jake Mecham Begins His Professional Career On The Richmond Backline". richmondkickers.com. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Former VCU Standout and Virginia Beach Native Kharlton Belmar Joins the Kickers".
  7. ↑ Heintschel, Nathan (June 12, 2023). "Veteran Forward Ryan Sierakowski Joins The Kickers". Richmond Kickers.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Kickers Announce Initial Contract Decisions for 2023". Richmond Kickers. December 7, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  9. ↑ Heintschel, Nathan (December 13, 2022). "Kickers transfer USL League One Young Player of the Year Ethan Bryant to Sporting Kansas City". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Columbus Crew signs defender Stuart Ritchie". columbuscrew.com. January 24, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  11. ↑ Turner, Scott (February 6, 2023). "Huntsville City Football Club a mixture of pro league, college players". The Huntsville Times . al.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Richmond Kickers Player Stats". USL League One. October 18, 2023. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
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