Cincinnati Kings – 1
Richmond Kickers – 0
Although the storm postponement may have been a little premature on Saturday, the Kickers were blessed with a sunny Sunday afternoon in front of 1,327 fans to play their league opener for the 2006 season. Unfortunately they did not set the new season on fire as many hoped, losing their first ever Division 2 game 1-0 to the Cincinnati Kings.
The Kickers started as brightly as the sun when Mike Burke chased down a ball on the right side of the field in the second minute, stopping it at the goal line just in time to unleash a cross deep into the box where the Kings’ goalkeeper, Jordan James pounced on it in the nick of time.
Two minutes later Christian Neagu found himself clear after a quick one-two at the edge of the box, his shot was weak and easily collected by the Kings’ defense. On minute six Steve Wolf lost his marker to make a speedy run on the left wing, unfortunately his teammates were just as surprised as the defense as his cross was met only by the already busy goalkeeper.
On the 8th minute it looked as though the Kickers had taken a deserving lead when Burke beat the offside trap to receive the ball on the right wing, he knocked it forward to Robert Ssejjemba who ran clear and powered the ball into the net. However, the flag had already been raised after Burke made the forward pass and the goal was disallowed.
Chris Carrieri made some menacing runs on the wing but ultimately the strikers were left wanting. Then in the 16th minute Andy Metcalfe tore up the left side to deliver a sweet pass to Ssejjemba but the striker’s shot was deflected out for a corner.
Having been dominated in the first fifteen minutes, it wasn’t long before the Kings picked up the pace and started to take possession. They completed many passing moves but struggled to enter the danger zone, their best chance came on the half hour when John Liersemann chased a loose ball on the right wing and crossed to Nowaf Jaman whose shot misfired. The ball bobbled back wide where Liersemann sent in a deep cross that was headed wide of goal.
The ball moved to and fro for the rest of the half, and both teams had wasted long range free-kicks as they struggled to penetrate the defense.
Cincinnati stepped up a gear in the second half as they immediately began charging the Kickers defense. Within six minutes they won a corner and, in almost predictable fashion (for the Kickers at least), Jaman Nowaf delivered a perfect curling cross to an unchallenged Derek Smith who powerfully headed the ball into the net to give Cincinnati the lead.
Rather than step up to the challenge, the Kickers appeared deflated after conceding their first goal in the second division. Shots came few and far between and they were far from the inspirational chances created earlier in the first half.
Burke had a shot go wide in the 53rd minute and Carrieri had a better opportunity five minutes later, but the keeper just had to drop and block the powerful shot directed right at him.
Cincinnati maintained control of the game as they continued to possess the ball, forcing Richmond to come at them. It seemed they were ready to bunker down after scoring the first goal, this was not more evident when they won two consecutive free-kicks early in the half when they wasted considerable amount of time before taking them.
The game got chippy towards the end as Richmond’s frustration increased and Cincinnati looked for a second goal. Neither team really threatened although Marcel Mathis and Jeff Hughes both delivered dangerous crosses but the Kicker’s defense were capable in both instances.
Overall it was a lackluster display by the home team, and as more rookies were brought into the game the more the lack of experience showed. Matt Watson in particular looked like a fish out of water as his passes never appeared to reach his teammates and was unable to create dangerous situations out on the right wing.
Most disturbing for the Kickers was an injury late in the game when Ssejjemba fell to the ground, he had to be carried off and replaced in the final minute of added time. However the coach confirmed that it was just a knock and that forward should be back for the next game. Sascha Gorres and Tim Brown should also be available for the next game after they return to the States, Kelvin Jones and Ray Goodlett should also be fully fit for selection as well.
Kickers: Ronnie Pascale, Tony Williams, Ed Hayden, Steven Wolfe, Kevin Knight, Cristian Neagu (Brian Morris – 60th minute), Kofi Nti (Trevor McEachron – 86th minute), Mike Burke, Chris Carrieri (Cecil Lewis – 75th minute), Robert Ssejjemba (Eric Dutt – 90th minute), Andy Metcalf (Matt Watson – 55th minute)
Kings: Jordan James, Trey Alexander, Sam Fiore, Derek Smith, Kevin McClosky, Tiest Sondaal, Josh Barton (Brett Jones – 75th minute); John Liersmann (Jon Caldwell – 80th minute), Nowaf Jaman (Wes Schulte – 85th minute), Michael McGinlay (Jack Cummings – 73rd minute), Jeff Hughes (Marcel Matis – 41st minute)
Cautions:
39th minute: Cristian Neagu (Richmond)
54th minute: Sam Fiore (Cincinnati)
Ejections:
None.
