In a Second Round game that could be a preview of the USL Second Division Championship, the undefeated Richmond Kickers held off the Cleveland City Stars 2-1 at University of Richmond Stadium.
After almost 30 minutes of back and forth action, Richmond struck first. Cleveland failed to clear a corner kick and Matt Watson sent a shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and down into the net for the 1-0 lead. The Kickers stiff defense, best in the USL-2, stifled Cleveland’s attack throughout the first half. With just seconds remaining in the half, the home side doubled their lead through Robert Ssejjemba. Ssejjamba took a pass from Watson and put the ball past City goalkeeper Caleb Patterson and into the side of the net.
Cleveland pulled a goal back in the 64th minute, as Nigel Codrington put in a header from Mark Schulte off of a corner kick. Richmond hunkered down and held Cleveland at bay for the final minutes of the game, earning a home date with Major League Soccer’s Galaxy in the Third Round and a potential visit by Los Angeles’ latest signing, David Beckham.
Scoring
(RIC) Matt Watson 28’
(RIC) Robert Ssejjemba (Matt Watson ) 45’+
(CLE) Nigel Codrington (Mark Schulte) 64’