Richmond Kickers 2 (Williams 65, Kwaku 85)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1 (Karn 90)
Attendance: 1663
RICHMOND, VA - (Saturday, June 17, 2000) - The Richmond Kickers (8-4-0, 32 points) moved up to first place in the Atlantic Division with their 2-1 win tonight and Hampton Roads 3-1 loss to Charleston. The Kickers are currently undefeated at home with an 8-0 overall record, which actually ties a club record set back in 1995.
As many might have expected both teams started out sluggish in the first half, with the Riverhounds competing in their third game in four days. Both teams had minor chances at goal and play was "sloppy" overall. In the second half the teams awoke and Coach Leigh Cowlishaw made three key substitutions at halftime to spark his team. Substitute Tony Williams scored in the 65th minute to break the ice and substitute Kwaku earned his third goal of the year with a strike in the 85th minute to seal the deal. Pittsburgh's Phil Karn spoiled the shutout for goalkeeper Mike McGinty in injury time. McGinty would have recorded his sixth shutout this season, a league high.
Minute by Minute Highlights
First Half
10th Minute: Pittsburgh forward Allen Eller received a pass from Phil Karn at the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Eller collects the ball in stride and tries to chip goalkeeper Mike McGinty, but his shot just misses the upper right hand corner of the net.
25th Minute: Midfielder Greg Messam gathers a loose ball at midfield and drives towards the Riverhounds defense to unload a shot, however his shot attempt sails way high over the bar for a goal-kick.
27th Minute: Forward Kevin Alvero chips a pass in behind the Pittsburgh defense for Dwayne DeRosario. An off-balance DeRosario attempts to place a shot but miss hits the ball wide of the goal from 10 yards out.
29th Minute: Pittsburgh midfielder Gary DePalma picks up a deflected shot on the right hand side of the box and chips the ball back across to teammate Leidy Klotz, whose header misses wide of the net.
Second Half
51st Minute: Phil Karn of the Riverhounds turns with the ball at the top of the box and gets off a tricky shot that travels wide right of the goal.
58th Minute: Again it is Karn being dangerous, this time he is sent down the right side-line and muscles his way past defender Scott Cannon into the Kickers box. Karn somehow gets a shot off and keeper Mike McGinty makes a good save at the near post.
65th Minute (GOAL): Energetic Kevin Knight collects a loose ball around midfield and threads a great pass down the left flank to Dwayne DeRosario. DeRosario attacks with the ball to the end-line and cuts it back for a charging Tony Williams, who slots it past Randy Dedini from 8 yards out into the lower left hand corner of the onion bag. 1-0 Kickers.
67th Minute: Out of nowhere forward Kevin Alvero unexpectedly lines up a shot from 30 yards out and goalkeeper Randy Dedini gets his body in front of it for a tough save.
84th Minute: Off of a Pittsburgh corner, Tenywa "T-bone" Bonseu picks up a rebound inside of the 6 yard box and directs the ball towards a goal with no goalkeeper. Tony Williams who is standing on the line, clears the shot away with his head.
85th Minute (GOAL): On a counter-attack, midfielder Darryl Gomez plays a ball in behind the Riverhounds defense to a sprinting Kwaku, who nicely hits the ball past keeper Randy Dedini for his 3rd goal of the year. 2-0 Kickers.
92nd Minute (GOAL): After receiving a pass just inside the box from "Ezzy", Phil Karn rips a right-footed cannon into the lower left hand corner of the net past a sprawling Mike McGinty to spoil the shutout. Final score 2-1 Kickers.
Lineups
Kickers: GK Mike McGinty - Defenders - Chris Brown (Williams 45), Chris Fox, Scott Cannon, Josh McKay - Midfielders - Kevin Knight, Paul Lekics, Marco Ferruzzi (Donohue 45), Greg Messam (Luzak 45)- Forwards - Dwayne DeRosario (Kwaku 82), Kevin Alvero (Gomez 72)
Riverhounds: GK Randy Dedini - Defenders - Tenywa Bonseu, Nick Terlecky, Bob Meyer, Jaman Tripoli (Butler 67) - Midfielders - Goran Vasic, Phil Karn, John Jones, Leidy Klotz (Flavius 72), Gary DePalma (Apple 60) - Forwards - Allen Eller (Ezzy 89)
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Kickers: 10 Kickers: 3 Kickers: 18 Kickers: 9
Riverhounds: 12 Riverhounds: 2 Riverhounds: 16 Riverhounds: 3
First Market Man of the Match: Midfielder Tony Williams
Kickers next home game is this Saturday, June 23rd at 7:00 PM against the Hampton Roads Mariners!
For more information regarding the 2000 Richmond Kickers check out our web site at www.richmondkickers.com. For season ticket information, please call 644-KICK. The Richmond Kickers are an A-League franchise and a developmental team for D.C. United, Tampa Bay Mutiny, and Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer.
