Richmond Kickers faced off on Saturday in an encounter against Pittsburgh Riverhounds with a rain-soaked match at the Richmond City Stadium. The Kickers were coming off three consecutive losses; a situation the club has never experienced under head coach Leigh Cowlishaw's tutelage. Meanwhile, The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have a new manager and are playing with reinvigorated energy following a woeful 2016 season. Similarly, to the end of their last campaign, the Kickers are striving to find the back of the net this season. However, their venerable back-line remains intact.
In a league (USL) which continues to get tougher, Richmond Kickers are finding themselves against tougher competition and rivalries with stiffer boundaries.
Kamara, the solution to the Kickers lack of proficiency in front of goal?
The close relationship with DC United obviously made a huge difference for the Kickers on Saturday. Playmaker Alhaji Kamara, who's loan from Dc United, started-up top in a 4-4-2 formation with Oliver Minatel, a newly-signed striker from Brazil. Kamara had a massive night for his adopted role, setting up several chances and scoring a goal. Although Pittsburgh Riverhounds claimed most of the ball possession early on, Richmond Kickers swiftly midfield triggered on a counterattack in the 16th minute, but the Pittsburgh side turned the ball over the Kickers half, and veteran Raul Gonzalez sprinted with the ball down the right-flank.
Maintaining pace with him was Fred Sekyere, and Raul Gonzalez found him in front of goal with a low pull out.
Fred Seykere hastily redirected the ball into the net and the Riverhounds goalkeeper Trey Mitchell got a bit of a hold to it but the shot found the back of the post.
Raul Gonzalez masterminded the Kickers second goal
Pittsburgh Riverhounds best chance to respond in the first-half came in the 37th minute.
A nice through pass from Corey Hertzog sent Crew SC loanee Marshall Hollingsworth to the left-side of goal. He drove a shot inside the penalty box, but Kickers goalkeeper Matt Turner made a fantastic save and punched the ball out for a corner kick.
Immediately after the break, Oliver Minatel earned a foul close to the Riverhounds goal.
Raul Gonzalez tremendous impact continued as he sent in a well taken free kick into the Riverhounds box. The visitors attempted to clear out the ball with a header, but it rebounded towards goal off the back of another Riverhounds player and Alhaji Kamara was there to send in a volley at close distance. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh Riverhounds goalkeeper Trey Mitchell had no chance to stop the ball as Kamara doubled the lead (2-0)for Richmond kickers.
