Ownby Returns From Houston Dynamo
The partnership between the Richmond Kickers and D.C. United has paid its first player dividends.
D.C. United has announced that the club willloan four players to the Kickers this season as part of the two clubs’ landmark affiliation agreement.
Heading to Richmond are a pair of University of Maryland teammates, forward Casey Townsend and defender/midfielder Taylor Kemp, forward Michael Seaton, and midfielder Conor Shanosky.
In a separate deal, the Kickers also received former Virginia Cavalier Brian Ownby, who returns to Richmond on loan from the Houston Dynamo. Ownby is a former Richmond Strikers Academy player and a graduate of Deep Run HS.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our young players to compete and play on a regular basis in meaningful games,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “There is no substitute for first team games that matter, and we believe that the Richmond Kickers will provide a platform and environment for D.C. United players to quickly develop as professionals.”
Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer Leigh Cowlishaw welcomes the four new additions. The Kickers also recently signed former Virginia Commonwealth University defender Juan Arbelaez, who had been selected by the Montreal Impact in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.
“Taylor, Michael, Conor, and Casey are first-class additions to our team and we look forward to them contributing to our goal of winning a USL PRO Championship this season,” said Cowlishaw.
D.C. United and the Richmond Kickers entered into the agreement on January 24, 2013 and is part of Major League Soccer and USL PRO’s partnership.
Townsend, the #5 selection in the first round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft and NSCAA Second Team All-American at the University of Maryland, played in 17 games (10 starts) during his rookie year with Chivas USA, logging a goal and two assists.
Kemp was the 17th overall selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Kemp was United’s lone selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and had yet to appear for the club in 2013. Kemp was a regular for the Terps through his four seasons, earning All-ACC Freshman Team pick and a Soccer America All-Freshman Team selection during his freshman year and Second Team All-ACC honors in his junior and senior years.
Seaton, a 16-year old and native of Capitol Heights, Md. signed with D.C. United as a Homegrown player in January of 2013. Seaton has yet to appear in First Team action, but has impressed at D.C. United’s Academy at the U-15, U-16, and U-18 levels.
Shanosky, another Homegrown product from nearby Potomac Falls, Virginia, spent the 2012 campaign on loan at the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers.