Kickers Re-Align Into USL2.
The Kickers were the runnerup for the 2005 USL First Division championship, losing the title game on penalty kicks.
By moving to the Second Division, the Kickers will reestablish long-time rivalries with the Wilmington Hammerheads and Charlotte Eagles, who have played in the division with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Harrisburg City Islanders, Cincinnati Kings, Long Island Rough Riders, Western Massachusetts Pioneers and the New Hampshire Phantoms.
“Aligning with the USL2 will ensure a strong future for the Kickers, enabling us to maintain a competitive professional soccer team in Richmond as well as giving us the ability to devote more resources to improve our infrastructure and make our overall product better,” comments General Manager Paul Sterbenz. “We have a commitment to this great city to continue to be a community leader while providing quality entertainment and a great sporting experience.”
The Kickers have been a USL franchise since 1993. The club has grown to include a men’s PDL team and a women’s W-League team, and is a multi-level youth soccer club.
“We are different than most professional sporting endeavors in the fact that the Richmond Kickers are more than just a pro team trying to win a championship,” said President Tom Depcrynski, “We are a club that aims to serve this community through our involvement and our resources. We are working on numerous projects, that in due time, will be announced to re-affirm this desire.”
One result of the move to Second Division will be the elimination of travel for the Kickers to the West Coast. All Second Division clubs are in the eastern half of the U.S.
Richmond will have a 20-game league schedule in 2006, during the months of April through August. Home games will continue to be played at the University of Richmond Stadium. The club plans to continue a home-and-away series with the First Division Virginia Beach Mariners, as well as a guaranteed exhibition match with D.C. United of Major League Soccer.
While the salary structure is different from First Division, the Kickers hope to retain many of their current players as they move to Second Division.