2026 Richmond Kickers season

Last updated
Richmond Kickers
2026 season
Chairman22 Holdings, LLC
Manager Darren Sawatzky
Stadium City Stadium
USL League One N/A
U.S. Open Cup TBD
Prinx Tigres Cup Group stage
←  2025
2027 →

The 2026 Richmond Kickers season will be the club's 34th season in existence, their eighth season in USL League One, and their 22nd season in the third tier of American soccer. The Kickers are led by seventh-year head coach, Darren Sawatzky.

Contents

This is the first season since 2019 without Emiliano Terzaghi, who transferred to Portland Hearts of Pine, after playing for the Kickers for five seasons. This will also be the first season since 2021 without Simon Fitch and Chandler O'Dwyer.

Background

The 2025 season was the club's 34th season of existence, their sixth season in USL League One, and sixth year under head coach Darren Sawatzky. The Kickers worsened from the previous season getting of 8 wins, seventeen losses, and five draws. With Darwin Espinal being the top goalscorer with nine goals.They failed to reach league playoffs for the first time since 2023 by finishing in 13th.

Outside of USL League One, the Kickers participated in the U.S. Open Cup and the USL Cup. The Kickers lost the first round in the U.S. Open Cup losing to Virginia Dream 3–0 and also got eliminated in the group stage of the USL Cup.

Transfers

Transfers in

DatePositionNo.NameFromFeeRef.
December 2, 2025FW11 Flag of Germany.svg Tarik Pannholzer Flag of the United States.svg Marshall Thundering Herd Free [1]
December 4, 2025DF26 Flag of Nigeria.svg Mujeeb Murana Flag of the United States.svg Miami FC [2]
December 9, 2025DF5 Flag of the United States.svg Ethan Kos Flag of the United States.svg Birmingham Legion [3]
December 11, 2025GK1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Yann Fillion Flag of Malta.svg Floriana [4]
December 17, 2025DF4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sam Layton Flag of Australia (converted).svg GC Knights [5]
December 18, 2025DF99 Flag of the United States.svg Daniel Moore Flag of the United States.svg Crown Legacy [6]
January 7, 2026MF18 Flag of the United States.svg Austin Amer None [7]
January 8, 2026DF12 Flag of the United States.svg Owen O'Malley Flag of the United States.svg Vermont Green [8]
January 13, 2026DF22 Flag of the United States.svg Sean Vinberg Flag of the United States.svg Portland Hearts of Pine [9]
January 14, 2026FW23 Flag of the United States.svg Tyler Freeman Flag of New Zealand.svg Western Suburbs [10]

Transfers out

DatePositionNo.NameToFeeRef.
November 12, 2025DF39 Flag of the United States.svg Brendan Dobzyniak Flag of the United States.svg VCU Rams Free [i] [11]
MF42 Flag of the United States.svg Grafton Kahl Flag of the United States.svg West Virginia Mountaineers Free [i] [12]
FW40 Flag of the United States.svg Nick Sarrantakos Flag of the United States.svg High Point Panthers Free [i] [13]
November 30, 2025GK1 Flag of Chile.svg Pablo Jara NoneFree [14]
DF25 Flag of the United States.svg Marcelo Lage Flag of the United States.svg New York Cosmos Free [15]
DF14 Flag of Brazil.svg Guilherme Franca Flag of Brazil.svg Sampaio Corrêa Free [14]
DF16 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Klaidi Cela NoneOption declined [14]
DF4 Flag of the United States.svg Simon Fitch Flag of the United States.svg Spokane Velocity Free [14]
DF5 Flag of Chile.svg Maxi Schenfeld NoneFree [14]
DF6 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Baer Flag of the United States.svg Tacoma Defiance End of loan [14]
MF11 Flag of Haiti.svg Rivendi Pierre-Lewis NoneOption declined [14]
MF17 Flag of England.svg James Vaughan NoneFree [14]
MF20 Flag of Germany.svg Adrian Billhardt Flag of the United States.svg Union Omaha Free [14]
MF33 Flag of the United States.svg Matt Bulduc NoneFree [14]
FW27 Flag of England.svg Chandler O'Dwyer Flag of the United States.svg Sarasota Paradise Option declined [16]
FW32 Flag of Argentina.svg Emiliano Terzaghi Flag of the United States.svg Portland Hearts of Pine Free [17]
December 1, 2025MF18 Flag of Uganda.svg Jonathan Kanagwa NoneOption declined [14]
Transfer notes
  1. 1 2 3 Expired USL academy contract.

Non-competitive

Preseason

Friendlies

February 2Friendly Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Riverhounds v Richmond Kickers Flag of the United States.svg Coraopolis, PA
TBD EDT Stadium: AHN Health + Sports Medicine Center Montour
February 7Friendly Flag of the United States.svg Loudoun United v Richmond Kickers Flag of the United States.svg Leesburg, VA
TBD EDT Stadium: RavenTek Park

Competitions

USL League One

Table

PosTeam
PldWLTGFGAGDPts
11 One Knoxville SC 00000000
12 Portland Hearts of Pine 00000000
13 Richmond Kickers 00000000
14 Sarasota Paradise 00000000
15 South Georgia Tormenta FC 00000000
First match(es) will be played: March 7, 2026. 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 finishers; 6) disciplinary points; 7) drawing of lots.
March 71 AV Alta v Richmond Kickers Lancaster, CA
10:30 p.m. EDT Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
March 212 Richmond Kickers v FC Naples Richmond, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
March 273 One Knoxville v Richmond Kickers Knoxville, TN
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: Covenant Health Park
April 44 Richmond Kickers v Tormenta Richmond, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
April 115 Spokane Velocity v Richmond Kickers Spokane, WA
9:30 p.m. EDT Stadium: One Spokane Stadium
April 186 Richmond Kickers v Union Omaha Richmond, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
May 17 Richmond Kickers v Westchester Richmond, VA
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
May 98 Greenville Triumph v Richmond Kickers Mauldin, SC
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: GE Vernova Park
May 239 Tormenta v Richmond Kickers Statesboro, GA
7:30 p.m. EDT Stadium: Tormenta Stadium
May 2710 Chattanooga Red Wolves v Richmond Kickers East Ridge, TN
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: CHI Memorial Stadium
May 3011 Richmond Kickers v Athletic Club Boise Richmond, VA
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
June 1012 Athletic Club Boise v Richmond Kickers Boise, ID
9:30 p.m. EDT Stadium: Stadium at Expo Idaho
June 1313 Corpus Christi v Richmond Kickers Corpus Christi, TX
8:30 p.m. EDT Stadium: Corpus Christi Sports Complex
June 2014 Richmond Kickers v Fort Wayne Richmond, VA
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
June 2415 Portland Hearts of Pine v Richmond Kickers Portland, ME
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: Fitzpatrick Stadium
July 316 Richmond Kickers v Sarasota Paradise Richmond, VA
7:30 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
July 1517 Forward Madison v Richmond Kickers Madison, WI
8:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: Breese Stevens Field
July 1818 Richmond Kickers v Spokane Velocity Richmond, VA
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
July 2519 Charlotte Independence v Richmond Kickers Charlotte, NC
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
August 120 Richmond Kickers v AV Alta Richmond, VA
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
August 521 Richmond Kickers v New York Cosmos Richmond, VA
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
August 1622 Union Omaha v Richmond Kickers Omaha, NE
5:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: Morrison Stadium
August 2223 Richmond Kickers v Portland Hearts of Pine Richmond, VA
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
August 2924 Richmond Kickers v Forward Madison Richmond, VA
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
September 225 Fort Wayne v Richmond Kickers Fort Wayne, IN
7:30 p.m. EDT Stadium: Bishop D'Arcy Stadium
September 1226 Richmond Kickers v Chattanooga Red Wolves Richmond, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
September 1627 Westchester v Richmond Kickers Mount Vernon, NY
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: The Stadium at Memorial Field
September 1928 Richmond Kickers v Charlotte Independence Richmond, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
September 2629 New York Cosmos v Richmond Kickers Paterson, NJ
5:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: Hinchliffe Stadium
October 330 Richmond Kickers v One Knoxville Richmond, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
October 731 FC Naples v Richmond Kickers Naples, FL
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium
October 1132 Sarasota Paradise v Richmond Kickers Lakewood Ranch, FL
7:30 p.m. EDT Stadium: Premier Sports Campus
October 1733 Richmond Kickers v Corpus Christi Richmond, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
October 2434 Richmond Kickers v Greenville Triumph Richmond, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium

USL Prinx Tigres Cup

April 251 Richmond Kickers v Charlotte Independence Richmond, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
May 162 Richmond Kickers v Charleston Battery Richmond, VA
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: City Stadium
June 63 Loudoun United v Richmond Kickers Leesburg, VA
6:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: Segra Field
July 114 Greenville Triumph v Richmond Kickers Mauldin, SC
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: GE Vernova Park

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of January 19, 2026. Numbers after plus–sign (+) denote appearances as a substitute.
No.PosNatPlayerTotal USL1 USL.1 Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Prinx Tigres Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Yann Fillion 000+000+000+000+00
2 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Dakota Barnathan 000+000+000+000+00
3 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Hayden Anderson 000+000+000+000+00
4 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Sam Layton 000+000+000+000+00
5 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ethan Kos000+000+000+000+00
7 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Landon Johnson 000+000+000+000+00
9 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Josh Kirkland 000+000+000+000+00
10 MF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Nils Seufert 000+000+000+000+00
11 FW Flag of Germany.svg  GER Tarik Pannholzer 000+000+000+000+00
12 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Owen O'Malley000+000+000+000+00
18 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Austin Amer 000+000+000+000+00
19 FW Flag of Honduras (2022-present).svg  HON Darwin Espinal 000+000+000+000+00
22 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Sean Vinberg 000+000+000+000+00
23 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Tyler Freeman 000+000+000+000+00
26 DF Flag of Nigeria.svg  NGA Mujeeb Murana 000+000+000+000+00
34 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Beckett Howell 000+000+000+000+00
35 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA James Sneddon 000+000+000+000+00
38 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Griffin Garnett 000+000+000+000+00
41 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Andrew Richman000+000+000+000+00
99 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Daniel Moore000+000+000+000+00

References

  1. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (December 2, 2025). "Richmond Kickers Sign Dynamic German Winger Ahead of 2026 Season". Richmond Kickers.
  2. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (December 4, 2025). "Richmond Kickers Sign Houston Dynamo Academy Product Mujeeb Murana". Richmond Kickers.
  3. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (December 9, 2025). "Richmond Kickers Sign Hard-Nosed Central Defender Ethan Kos". Richmond Kickers.
  4. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (December 11, 2025). "Richmond Kickers Sign Veteran Canadian Goalkeeper Yann Fillion". Richmond Kickers.
  5. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (December 17, 2025). "Richmond Kickers Sign Australian Defensive Anchor Sam Layton". Richmond Kickers.
  6. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (December 18, 2025). "Richmond Kickers Sign Dynamic Left Back Daniel Moore". Richmond Kickers.
  7. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (January 7, 2026). "Richmond Kickers Sign Versatile Midfielder Austin Amer". Richmond Kickers.
  8. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (January 8, 2026). "Richmond Kickers Sign USL League Two National Champion Owen O'Malley". Richmond Kickers.
  9. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (January 13, 2026). "Richmond Kickers Sign Skilled Veteran Sean Vinberg". Richmond Kickers.
  10. ↑ Di Gangi, Gabriella (January 14, 2026). "Richmond Kickers Sign Dynamic Forward Tyler Freeman". Richmond Kickers.
  11. ↑ Gardiner, Julia (August 5, 2025). "Eleven Players Join Men's Soccer Ranks for 2025". vcuathletics.com. Virginia Commonwealth University Athletics. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  12. ↑ @WVUMensSoccer (November 12, 2025). "𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 ✍️ Welcome to Morgantown, Grafton!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ @hpumsoccer; (November 12, 2025). "Welcome to HPU, @nick_sarantakos 🟣⚪️" – via Instagram.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Di Gangi, Gabriella (November 18, 2025). "Richmond Kickers Announce Initial Roster Decisions for 2026". Richmond Kickers.
  15. ↑ Patterson, NJ (December 12, 2025). "New York Cosmos continue to bolster roster ahead of USL League One debut with three additional signings". New York (NY) Cosmos.
  16. ↑ USL, Digital (December 15, 2025). "Sarasota Paradise Announces the Signing of Midfielder Chandler O'Dwyer". Sarasota Paradise.
  17. ↑ USLLeagueOne.com Staff (January 5, 2026). "Portland Hearts of Pine signs League One standout Emiliano Terzaghi". USL League One.
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