Photos and Game Summary: Kickers Get Sweet Revenge on Chattanooga, Barely

After grabbing an early 1 goal lead, the Kickers held on for the win on Saturday.

Published

Official Kickers Game Summary

RICHMOND KICKERS 1 (14′ Terzaghi) CHATTANOOGA RED WOLVES SC 0

The Richmond Kickers (4-2-5, 17 pts) earned a 1-0 victory in front of another crowd of over 5,200 fans at City Stadium against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (2-6-2, 8 pts), Saturday night.

Emiliano Terzaghi's first-half strike marked his 50th goal for the club since joining ahead of the 2020 season. He is the third Kickers player to reach the half-century mark and ranks behind only Matthew Delicâte (94) and Rob Ukrop Jr. (64).

The first half was all Kickers as the hosts owned nearly 60 percent of the possession as the Roos pinned the Red Wolves in their own half. Richmond earned six shots with two on target to Chattanooga's one total shot with zero on target.

Terzaghi delivered the most important shot on target of the first half when his 14th-minute attempt in the six-yard box found the back of the net.

João Gomiero received the ball on the right wing and dribbled to the edge of the box before ripping a shot that skipped across the ground. The keeper made a deflecting save, but the ball stayed in the six-yard box. Terzaghi boxed out his marker, turned on the ball, and blasted a shot into the top netting.

The Kickers would walk into the dressing room with a 1-0 lead and come out for the second half looking for an insurance goal.

They nearly found it in the 74th minute after Nil Vinyals sent the ball down the wing to Owayne Gordon who brought it to the line and crossed it to Kharlton Belmar on the right side.

The winger shook his defender as he carried the ball into the box and sent a cross to the center spot where Vinyals was headed. The midfielder laid the ball off to Terzaghi who forced a shot as the keeper closed him down and deflected it.

Defensively, the Kickers smothered Chattanooga's defense as the visitors attempted to find an equalizer.

Red Wolves finally earned their first shot on target in the third minute of second-half stoppage.

A long ball was sent into Richmond's penalty area by Chattanooga's Chevone Marsh that dropped directly onto Ropapa Mensah's head. The forward flicked the ball on target which required a quick reaction from Akira Fitzgerald who quickly smothered the attempt.

The Kickers finished the second half winning 60 percent of their tackles, 52.3 percent of their total duels, and 50 percent of their aerial duels on their way to their fifth clean sheet of the season.

Richmond currently ranks second in USL League One in clean sheets – one behind league leaders Charlotte Independence.

Richmond embarks on a two-match road trip next week as they face Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC on Wednesday, June 7 for a 9 p.m. ET kickoff. The Roos then head to Fresno, Calif. To face Central Valley Fuego FC on Saturday, June 9th for a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

The Kickers return home on Saturday, June 17th to host Forward Madison FC during Pride Night presented by Black Pride RVA and VA Pride. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!

We need your help. RVAHub is a small, independent publication, and we depend on our readers to help us provide a vital community service. If you enjoy our content, would you consider a donation as small as $5? We would be immensely grateful! Interested in advertising your business, organization, or event? Get the details here.

Richard Hayes is the co-founder of RVAHub. When he isn't rounding up neighborhood news, he's likely watching soccer or chasing down the latest and greatest board game.

PREVIEW: Kickers Face Playoff Nemesis Chattanooga

PHOTOS & GAME SUMMARY: Kickers Back On Track With Win Over Lexington

Game Preview: Kickers Cap Busy Week With Home Game

Revenge is a dish best served at City Stadium. Chattanooga knocked the Kickers out of the playoffs last year and the Kickers are looking for payback.

Published

Opponent: Chattanooga (2-5-2) Date/Time: Saturday, June 3rd, 7:00 PM Last Result: Kickers 1 – Tormenta 1

The Kickers had a tremendous season last year until their first playoff game. In that game, despite being a man up for the majority of the game they ended up losing to Chattanooga by a goal. The fans, coaches and certainly the players remember the night a little too well. A win would have meant hosting the Championship Game in City Stadium, instead, it ended with a crushing defeat. Revenge will be on everyone's mind and Chattanooga is not having a great season. The Red Wolves sit in second to last place and have a -8 goal differential. If ever there was a time for the Kickers to rack up some goals and get their scoring mojo flowing this is it. I predict it will happen.

Kickers 3 – Chattanooga 0

An action filled second half made for a tense final minutes but Kickers held on for the win and three needed points.

Published

RICHMOND KICKERS: 2 60′ Belmar (Gordon), 76′ Gomiero (Mecham) LEXINGTON SC: 1 90+3′ Smart (penalty)

The Richmond Kickers’ (3-2-4, 13 pts) earned a 2-1 win in front of 5,252 fans in their first-ever matchup with league debutants, Lexington SC (2-5-1, 7 pts), Saturday night as the Roos tentatively vaulted into third place in USL League One.

Kharlton Belmar and João Gomiero each scored their first goals at home to reward RVA for their continued support in making City Stadium the most-attended venue in the league.

Richmond and Lexington locked horns in a competitive first half as both keepers put together strong performances between the pipes, stifling dangerous chances and keeping the score locked at zeroes at the break.

The Kickers powered forward on the momentum of their first-half performance and found their first goal in the 60th minute.

Richmond progressed the ball into Lexington's penalty area, but the visitors forced a turnover. However, they failed to clear the ball out as Justin Sukow raced to keep the ball alive with a slide and pass out wide to Owayne Gordon.

The winger took on his defender, bouncing outside before cutting the ball back across the six-yard box. Belmar pounced on the opportunity and powered a low-driven shot into the net as the keeper was left ball-watching.

Richmond struck for the eventual game-winner 16 minutes later.

Sukow was the catalyst again as he lofted a ball from midfield up the right wing for Jake Mecham who was timing a forward run perfectly, shedding his defender. With acres of space, Mecham ran onto the ball near the backline and cut the ball back toward the penalty spot as Gomiero perfectly timed his run into the box and one-timed a curling ball away from the keeper and right inside of the far post.

The goal marked Gomiero's third of the week after he scored his first goals as a member of the Kickers on the road at North Carolina FC on Wednesday night. Mecham's assist was his first as a professional.

Lexington had the opportunity to cut Richmond's lead late after drawing a penalty in the third minute of eight allotted minutes for stoppage.

After Akira Fitzgerald deflected a Lexington attempt on the goal with a kick save, Lexington's Nico Brown was running toward the ball with his back toward goal. Gomiero appeared to get to the ball first as his leg collided with Brown's, but it was determined as Brown went to ground that the contact was enough for a penalty kick.

Veteran attacker Don Smart stepped up and hit a low shot to the left. Fitzgerald dove in the correct direction, but the shot had just enough pace on it to beat his reaching hand and end up in the back of the net.

The win at City Stadium proved cathartic as the Kickers celebrated their first league victory at home. Richmond dominated the stats outshooting Lexington 17-13, making six more final third entries, and earning four more corners. And the night ended with hundreds of fans crowding the front of the seating bowl as the Kickers signed autographs a long while after the final whistle rang out in the stadium.

The Kickers are back on the road next week to face reigning USL League One Champs, South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday, May 27th. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:30 p.m. The Kickers will host an official watch party at the Ardent Barrel Room.

The Kickers then return home on Saturday, June 3rd to host Chattanooga Red Wolves SC during Military Appreciation Night presented by Tech For Troops. The doors at City Stadium are set to open at 5:45 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.

Kickers are on pace to break all sorts of attendance records this year but need to start getting some wins to keep that momentum.

Published

Opponent: Lexington (2-4-1) Date/Time: Saturday, May 19th, 7:00 PM Last Result: Kickers 2 – NCFC 3

This is the first time ever that the Kickers will face Lexington. I went into this saying this should be an easy win for the Kicker because after all the new guys are below us in the standings. On closer inspection, I learned that both teams sit on only 2 wins. The Kickers only saving grace is a game in hand and 4 draws. The Kickers goal differential sits at -1 while Lexington is at -4 so not a massive difference there either. My prediction is based on both Vinyals and Terzaghi returning to the line-up of which I have no evidence. I definitive win is needed for the players and the fans.

Kickers 2 Lexington 0

Opponent: Date/Time: Last Result: Vinyals Returns Everyone Scores Hot Ticket Kickers 3 – Chattanooga 0 RICHMOND KICKERS: 2 LEXINGTON SC: 1 Opponent: Date/Time: Last Result: Rebound Shallow Terzaghi Kickers 2 Lexington 0