The Richmond Kickers notched its second competitive win of the season with a 5-2 win over the Maryland Bobcats, moving into Round Three of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the fifth straight year. The result also saw the Kickers earn its 36th all-time Open Cup win, tying for fifth in the Modern Era (1995-present) with FC Dallas and the Charleston Battery.
The Kickers got off the mark early, earning a penalty in the 5th minute after the official seemed to spot a handball from Luis Almeida off a Chandler O’Dwyer shot. Nil Vinyals’ shot sent keeper Trevor Jackson the wrong way with a low shot to the left for his first goal of the 2024 season.
From then on, the match took a chippy tone, with yellow cards issued to both teams before the 15th minute. Richmond dominated possession but the Bobcats played a physical game and took several opportunities to make forays forward.
Richmond’s out-of-possession pressing paid off in the 20th minute, when an errant pass at the back led to Jackson taking a heavy touch in the six-yard box. O’Dwyer was there to tap the ball in from close range and score his first goal of the season.
Maryland responded quickly, earning a corner a few minutes later. A scramble in the box saw the ball drop to Abdul Kooistra’s feet and the centerback made no mistake in finishing past Richmond keeper Pablo Jara.
Richmond rallied to finish the first half strong. A free kick on the left wing saw Vinyals play an arcing ball into the box that centerback Dakota Barnathan finished with a powerful header. Halftime saw the Kickers ahead 3-1 on goals and the teams even 2-2 on cards.
Undeterred by the scoreline, the Bobcats came out bright in the second half. Putting the Kickers backline under pressure as they tried to clear the ball, Darwin Espinal earned a penalty after drawing a foul from Justin Sukow. His shot agonizingly hit the crossbar on a Panenka attempt. Maryland’s difficulties were compounded just two minutes later when Josselin Possian earned his second yellow of the night in the 61st minute and was sent off.
Yet the Bobcats weren’t finished quite yet. Despite his penalty miss, Espinal brought his side back within a goal with a thunderous strike in the 71st minute from outside the box.
Despite being an early contender for goal of the tournament, his efforts weren’t enough to rally the Bobcats and the Kickers added two more goals late. Nil Vinyals played Adrian Billhardt in off a gorgeous one-touch through ball and the winger squared it to Ryan Sierakowski to tap in in the 83rd minute while Barnathan added a second goal to his tally and player of the match performance, finishing at the right post off a corner in the 88th.
Richmond Kickers head coach Darren Sawatzky spoke approvingly of his team’s performance after the game.
“We worked on some things and they showed up,” said Sawatzky. “Chandler and the timing of his counterpress was perfect. He scored a great goal. We’ve been waiting for some guys to take some opportunities and they took them. I’m really happy with it.”
Richmond is now 9-0-1 (1-0 PK) all-time vs. Division 3 teams and the result saw them score their most goals in a game since they beat Virginia United FC 6-2 in the 2019 Second Round. It was a night to forget for the Bobcats, while Richmond will aim to build off their momentum as they seek their first league win since July 3, 2023 this weekend against Central Valley Fuego in USL League One play.
KATE’S OPEN CUP NOTE: We knew Mike Watts and Devon Kerr were trouble when they walked in tonight. Keen listeners of the broadcast might have noticed not one, not thirteen, but 235 Taylor Swift song titles used by the duo during their commentary. Truly a fearless choice from these two masterminds. And with that being said … a blank space in Round 32? You can write Richmond Kickers’ name.