Richmond Kickers to battle Louisville City FC on Saturday

Kickoff is at 7 PM at City Stadium

May 20, 2016; 11:07 AM • by Richard Hayes

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM. This is a good thing because it’s suppose to rain and rain a bunch in the morning hours. The Kickers are lucky to have one of the best fields in USL so drainage shouldn’t be an issue and expect so quick fast moving play at game time.

Richmond Kickers sit at a mediocre 4-3-2 while Louisville City FC have the hotter hand at 6-1-2. Both teams played on Wednesday both snagged a win but Louisville had to work much harder against Detroit City FC and that game was forced into penalty kicks.

From Richmond Kickers:

Players to Watch
Kickers: Newcomer Sunny Jane (#10) notched his second goal in a Kickers uniform, with the opening tally in the 2nd minute in the Kickers 4-0 win over Aromas Café FC in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup this week. The Lesotho National Team forward signed with Richmond prior to the 2016 season after a two-year stint with the Wilmington Hammerheads. Discovered at the Kickers January tryouts and earning his first professional contract, Jackson Eskay (#24) made his professional debut this week in the Kickers 4-0 U.S. Open Cup win over Aromas Café FC. Recently concluding his career at The College of William and Mary, he led the Tribe with six goals and eight assists in 17 appearances as team captain his senior year. Following a season-ending injury to Kickers starting goalkeeper Ryan Taylor, Charlie Horton (#30) made his first appearance in goal in Richmond on Wednesday, on loan from the club’s Major League Soccer affiliate, D.C. United. The 21-year old was acquired from the New England Revolution prior to the 2016 season after a recent stint with English Championship side, Leeds United.

City: Former Kickers midfielder George Davis IV (#22) returns to City Stadium after scoring his first goal in a Louisville jersey last week in the club’s 2-0 win against Saint Louis FC. Finishing second on the team in 2015 with nine goals and three assists, he made 62 appearances and amassed 23 goals over two seasons in Richmond before signing with Louisville prior to the 2016 campaign. Defender Conor Shanosky (#5) made 35 appearances over two seasons with the Kickers while on loan from the club’s MLS affiliate, D.C. United. Integral on both sides of the ball, he has made seven appearances in Louisville this season, adding one goal while contributing to three shutouts. Louisville newcomer Chandler Hoffman (#17) leads the team with seven goals in nine games including a hat trick to edge FC Cincinnati 3-2 last month. Prior to signing with Louisville, he made 29 Major League Soccer appearances through stints with LA Galaxy, Philadelphia Union and Houston Dynamo.

Don’t be surprised to see George Davis IV get a warm reception from the Kicker faithful. He was very popular during his time in red.

It’s FOOD TRUCK FEST at City Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 PM and there will be music by Kurt Stemhagen. As the name implies there will be food trucks aplenty and over a dozen craft beers and ciders on tap.

Image: James Loving