Richmond Kickers
Encyclopedia
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...

, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....

, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...

. Beforehand, the Kickers have had numerous spells throughout the second, third and fourth divisions of American soccer.

The team plays its home games at the City Stadium (Richmond), where they have played since 2003. The team's colors are red and white. Their current head coach is Englishman Leigh Cowlishaw
Leigh Cowlishaw
Leigh Cowlishaw is a former English footballer and current manager for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...

.

The Kickers had two developmental teams - Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future was an American soccer team based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 2002 as part of the development system of the Richmond Kickers USL Second Division franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...

 and Richmond Kickers Destiny
Richmond Kickers Destiny
Richmond Kickers Destiny was an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference...

. Future played in the men's USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...

 until 2008, while the Destiny left the women's USL W-League after the 2009 season.

History

The Kickers were founded in 1993, playing their first season in the USISL
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...

, playing in the league's amateur division. 1995 may have been the team's most successful year - the team not only won the USISL Premier League after a 15-3 regular season, they became the most recent team to win the U.S. Open Cup. In September 2005, Rob Ukrop's #6 jersey was retired. He was a well-liked soccer player on and off of the field, and particularly notable since he is the son of the influential Ukrop's grocery store CEO Robert "Bobby" Ukrop. In October 2005, the Kickers announced they would move down to the USL Second Division for the 2006 season, proclaiming it a cost-saving measure to save the franchise. In the 2007 U.S. Open Cup
2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:-----Second round:-----Third round:...

, the Kickers defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...

 of the MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...

 1-0 in the third round of competition.

The Kickers won their First Round match of the 2008 U.S. Open Cup
2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:-----Second round:-----Third round:----...

, beating the Fredericksburg Gunners
Fredericksburg Gunners
Fredericksburg Gunners was an American soccer team based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...

 of the PDL
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...

 with a final scoreline of 3-0. The Kickers won their second round game over the Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...

 2-1 before being eliminated from the Cup in the third round by MLS side (and defending USOC champion) New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

 3-0.

James River Cup

The James River Cup was an annual competition held between the Richmond Kickers and the Virginia Beach Mariners
Virginia Beach Mariners
The Virginia Beach Mariners were an American soccer club, who formerly played in the USL First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, the second division in the US Soccer hierarchy behind Major League Soccer...

 (formerly Hampton Roads Mariners) in which the team with the most points at the conclusion of all scheduled matches between the two teams. The Cup was held every year since 1996 with the exception of 1997 and 2001 when Virginia Beach did not field a team. In 2007, the Virginia Beach team was disbanded.

For the 2008 season, the James River Cup was contested between the Kickers' organization and the Hampton Roads Piranhas
Hampton Roads Piranhas
Hampton Roads Piranhas is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 1995. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada...

 organization. The cup went to the organization that had the most points in games between their PDL and W-League teams. The series ended up tied 2-2-1, with the Piranhas winning the Cup on goal difference
Goal difference
In sports such as ice hockey and association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....

.

Winners

  • 2008: Hampton Roads Piranhas
    Hampton Roads Piranhas
    Hampton Roads Piranhas is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 1995. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada...

  • 2007: Not Held
  • 2006: Virginia Beach Mariners
    Virginia Beach Mariners
    The Virginia Beach Mariners were an American soccer club, who formerly played in the USL First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, the second division in the US Soccer hierarchy behind Major League Soccer...

  • 2005: Richmond Kickers
  • 2004: Richmond Kickers
  • 2003: Richmond Kickers
  • 2002: Richmond Kickers
  • 2001: Not Held
  • 2000: Richmond Kickers
  • 1999: Richmond Kickers
  • 1998: Richmond Kickers
  • 1997: Not Held
  • 1996: Hampton Roads Mariners

Current roster

As of May 28, 2011.

Staff

Leigh Cowlishaw
Leigh Cowlishaw
Leigh Cowlishaw is a former English footballer and current manager for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...

 - Head Coach/Director of Soccer TBD - Assistant Coach/Academy Director Ihor Dotsenko
Ihor Dotsenko
Ihor Dotsenko is a retired Ukrainian-American soccer player who spent most of his career in the lower U.S. divisions, but played two games with the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer...

 - Technical Director Shelley Sowers - General Manager

Notable former players

  • See also: All-time Richmond Kickers roster
    All-time Richmond Kickers roster
    This list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for the Richmond Kickers since the USL began keeping archived records in 2003...



Tim Brown Brian Carroll
Brian Carroll
Brian Carroll is an American soccer player who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...

 Jeff Causey
Jeff Causey
Jeff Causey is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who spent six seasons in Major League Soccer. He later served as an assistant coach at the collegiate and professional levels.-College:...

 Ben Crawley
Ben Crawley
Ben Crawley is a retired American soccer player. He was a member of the United States teams at both the 1987 FIFA U-16 World Championship and 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship but spent most of his professional career with lower division teams. He played five games in Major League Soccer with D.C...

 Dwayne De Rosario
Dwayne De Rosario
Dwayne Anthony De Rosario is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Canadian national team.-Early career:...

 Marco Ferruzzi
Marco Ferruzzi
Marco Ferruzzi is an American soccer coach who is currently the assistant coach of FC Dallas. He had a ten year professional career playing as a midfielder in several indoor and outdoor leagues including Major League Soccer and the USL First Division.-Youth:In 1987, Ferruzzi played in one game...

 William Hesmer Brian Kamler
Brian Kamler
Brian Kamler is a retired American soccer midfielder, who played two seasons in the USISL, winning the 1995 U.S. Open Cup and league titles with the Richmond Kickers, and ten seasons in Major League Soccer....


Onandi Lowe
Onandi Lowe
Onandi Lowe is a Jamaican former international footballer. He spent some of his career in the Jamaican National Premier League as well as having stints in North America and England...

 Bryan Namoff
Bryan Namoff
Bryan Namoff is a retired American soccer player who last played for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...

 Stanley Nyazamba
Stanley Nyazamba
Stanley Nyazamba is a Zimbabwean footballer who currently plays for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:Nyazamba moved from his native Zimbabwe to play college soccer at Lee University...

 Clyde Simms
Clyde Simms
Clyde Simms is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College:...

 David Testo
David Testo
David Testo is an American soccer player. He is one of the few openly gay athletes in professional sports.-College:...

 Rob Ukrop
Robert Ukrop
Robert Ukrop is a retired U.S. soccer forward.Ukrop, heir to the Ukrop's Super Market chain, grew up in Richmond where he attended Collegiate School where he starred with both the school’s golf and soccer teams...

 Paul Williams
Paul Williams (footballer born 1971)
Paul Darren Williams is an English professional footballer who was an unused substitute for Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup final, and played for long periods for Coventry City and Derby County...

 Richie Williams
Richie Williams
Richie Williams is an American former professional soccer player and coach.Known for his diminutive height and his dogged tackling, Williams spent the vast majority of his playing career in the United States, playing one season in the National Professional Soccer League, two in USISL, two in the...



Head coaches

Bobby Lennon (1993) John Kerr, Sr.
John Kerr, Sr.
John Kerr, Sr. was a North American Soccer League and Canadian international soccer midfielder.-Professional:...

 (1994) Dennis Viollet
Dennis Viollet
Dennis Sydney Viollet was an English footballer best remembered for his time with Manchester United in the 1950s and early 1960s.-Club career:...

 (1995-1996) Frank Kohlenstein (1997) Colin Clarke (1998-1999) Leigh Cowlishaw
Leigh Cowlishaw
Leigh Cowlishaw is a former English footballer and current manager for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...

 (2000-present)

Achievements

  • USL Second Division Champions 2009
  • USL Second Division Regular Season Champions 2007
  • USL Second Division Champions 2006
  • USL Second Division Regular Season Champions 2006
  • USL A-League Regular Season Champions 2001
  • USL A-League Regular Season Champions 1998
  • USISL Premier League Champions 1995
  • US Open Cup Champions 1995

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs U.S. Open Cup
1993 3 USISL 4th, Atlantic Division Divisional Semifinals Did Not Enter
1994 3 USISL 9th, Atlantic Division Did Not Qualify Did Not Enter
1994 N/A USISL Indoor 2nd, Northern Division Did Not Qualify Did Not Enter
1995 4 USISL Premier League 2nd, Eastern Division Champions Champions
1996 3 USISL Select League
USISL Select League
The USISL Select League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from the United States, which existed for just one year in 1996...

2nd, North Atlantic Division Final Did Not Qualify
1997 2 USISL A-League 3rd, Atlantic Division Division Semifinals 3rd Round
1998 2 USISL A-League 1st, Atlantic Division Conference Semifinals Did Not Qualify
1999 2 USL A-League 2nd, Atlantic Division Second Round Did Not Qualify
2000 2 USL A-League 2nd, Atlantic Division Conference Semifinals 3rd round
2001 2 USL A-League 1st, Central Conference Quarterfinals Quarterfinals
2002 2 USL A-League 2nd, Southeast Division Final 3rd Round
2003 2 USL A-League 3rd, Southeast Division Did Not Qualify Did Not Qualify
2004 2 USL A-League 2nd, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Quarterfinals
2005 2 USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....

6th Final 4th Round
2006 3 USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...

1st Champions 2nd Round
2007 3 USL Second Division 1st Final Quarterfinals
2008 3 USL Second Division 2nd Semifinals 3rd Round
2009 3 USL Second Division 2nd Champions 1st Round
2010 3 USL Second Division 2nd Final 3rd Round
2011
2011 Richmond Kickers season
The 2011 Richmond Kickers season, will be the Kickers' nineteenth season in existence, and their inaugural campaign in the third-tier USL Pro League...

3 USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....

3rd, American Division Semifinals Semifinals

History vs. Major League Soccer

  • 3/15/97 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 3 vs. Columbus Crew
    Columbus Crew
    The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

     1 (UR Stadium)
  • 6/17/97 – Exhibition – D.C. United
    D.C. United
    D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

     4 vs. Richmond Kickers 2 (UR Stadium)
  • 7/23/97 – U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) – MetroStars
    Metrostars
    Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...

     3 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (UR Stadium)
  • 6/14/00 – U.S. Open Cup (2nd Rd) – Richmond Kickers 3 vs. Colorado Rapids
    Colorado Rapids
    The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...

     0 (UR Stadium)
  • 7/25/00 – U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) – San Jose Earthquakes
    San Jose Earthquakes
    The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....

     2 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (Spartan Stadium
    Spartan Stadium (San Jose)
    Spartan Stadium, located in San Jose, California, is the official stadium of the San José State University Spartans athletics teams. It is currently the home of the Spartan football and soccer teams....

    )
  • 4/1/01 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 0 vs. Dallas Burn 0 (UR Stadium)
  • 7/24/01 – U.S. Open Cup (4th Rd) – D.C. United
    D.C. United
    D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

     2 vs. Richmond Kickers 1 (RFK Stadium)
  • 4/13/02 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 0 vs. D.C. United
    D.C. United
    D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

     1 (UR Stadium)
  • 7/17/02 – U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) – Columbus Crew
    Columbus Crew
    The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

     3 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (Crew Stadium)
  • 4/5/03 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 1 vs. D.C. United
    D.C. United
    D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

     1 (UR Stadium)
  • 7/21/04 – U.S. Open Cup (4th Rd) – Richmond Kickers 2 vs. D.C. United
    D.C. United
    D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

     1 (UR Stadium)
  • 8/4/04 – U.S. Open Cup (Quarterfinals) – Chicago Fire 1 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (UR Stadium)
  • 8/3/05 – U.S. Open Cup (4th Rd) – Richmond Kickers 1 vs. D.C. United
    D.C. United
    D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

     3 (UR Stadium)
  • 7/10/07 - U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) - Richmond Kickers 1 vs Los Angeles Galaxy
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...

     0 (UR Stadium)
  • 3/22/08 - Exhibition - Richmond Kickers 3 vs. D.C. United
    D.C. United
    D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

     0 (UR Stadium)
  • 6/30/10 - U.S. Open Cup (4th Rd) - D.C. United
    D.C. United
    D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

     2 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (George Mason Stadium
    George Mason Stadium
    George Mason Stadium is a 5,000-seat stadium in Fairfax, Virginia on the campus of George Mason University. It serves as the home to George Mason's soccer and lacrosse teams....

    )
  • 6/28/11 - U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) - Richmond Kickers 2 vs. Columbus Crew
    Columbus Crew
    The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

     1 (Crew Stadium)
  • 7/12/11 - U.S. Open Cup (Quarterfinals) - Richmond Kickers 2 vs. Sporting Kansas City 0 (Livestrong Sporting Park
    Livestrong Sporting Park
    Livestrong Sporting Park is a soccer-specific stadium in Kansas City, Kansas and is the home of Sporting Kansas City. The stadium opened during the 2011 season of Major League Soccer on June 9, 2011 with a match against the Chicago Fire. The stadium has a seating capacity of 18,467 seats, which can...

    )
  • 8/30/11 - U.S. Open Cup (Semifinals) - Chicago Fire 2 vs. Richmond Kickers 1 (Toyota Park
    Toyota Park (Bridgeview)
    Toyota Park is a soccer-specific stadium located at 71st Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, Illinois. It is the home stadium of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, members of Major League Soccer . Toyota Park was developed at a cost of around $100 million. The facility opened June 11, 2006...

    )

International Competition

  • 7/16/04 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 1 vs. Nottingham Forest 1 (UR Stadium)
  • 7/25/09 - Exhibition - Richmond Kickers 1 vs. C.S.D. Comunicaciones 0 (UR Stadium)

Average Attendance

  • 2011, 2,545
  • 2010: 2,044
  • 2009: 2,874
  • 2008: 2,519
  • 2007: 2,594
  • 2006: 2,341
  • 2005: 2,754
  • 2004: 2,333
  • 2003: 2,273
  • 2002: 2,431
  • 2001: 2,436
  • 2000: 2,192
  • 1999: 2,488
  • 1998: 2,527
  • 1997: 1,925
  • 1996: 1,255
  • 1995: 1,109
  • 1994: 985
  • 1993: 2,433

External links

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