David Beckham

2007 US Open Cup Round 3: Galactic upset! Richmond eliminate LA Galaxy 1-0

July 10, 2007 by Josh Hakala

David Bulow of the Richmond Kickers scores a goal against the LA Galaxy in the Third Round of the 2007 US Open Cup. Photo: Brian Zimmerman

The Richmond Kickers pulled off the biggest upset in franchise history with a 1-0 win against Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy. David Bulow pounced on a mishandled corner kick in the 29th minute and the Kickers defense held the Galaxy off the scoresheet for the rest of the game in front of their home fans at University of Richmond Stadium.

Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy (left) and Matt Watson of the Richmond Kickers battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2007 US Open Cup. Photo: Brian Zimmerman

The Kickers’ Ronnie Pascale made four saves, while Galaxy backup keeper Steve Cronin stopped three for the visitors.

This was the first victory over an MLS team since the Kickers joined the USL Second Division at the beginning of the 2006 season. As a member of the USL’s First Division (called the “A-League” until 2005), the Kickers defeated two MLS teams, the Colorado Rapids in the Second Round of the 2000 tournament, and DC United in the Fourth Round in 2004.

The defending Second Division champions, and winners of the 1995 US Open Cup, will move on to the next round to play the Carolina RailHawks, who upset their MLS opponent Chicago Fire also by a score of 1-0.

As a side note, for those of you paying attention to one of the subplots of this year’s tournament, this means that the chances of the Harrisburg City Islanders hosting a “dream game” involving the Los Angeles Galaxy and David Beckham are over. The City Islanders will be donating the money raised to the Harrisburg Department of Parks and Recreation.

2007 Second Round: David Beckham in Richmond? Kickers edge City Stars to host Galaxy in Round 3

June 26, 2007 by

Cleveland’s Nigel Codrington attempts move past two Richmond players during the City Stars' 2-1 loss to the Kickers. Photo: Cleveland City Stars

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’

Harrisburg City Islanders selling tickets for “dream” game with David Beckham

April 2, 2007 by Josh Hakala

A graphic from the Harrisburg City Islander's David Beckham promotion. — A graphic from the Harrisburg City Islander’s David Beckham promotion.

When it was announced that David Beckham was set to join the Los Angeles Galaxy, it sent shockwaves to all corners of the sporting world. This news gave every Major League Soccer team a new reason to market an already growing league: Beckham is coming. Joe Sierko, the General Manager of the USL Second Division’s Harrisburg City Islanders, wondered how his team could benefit from “Beckhamania.”

The City Islanders, a team entering their fourth year as a USL franchise, decided to sell tickets for a potential US Open Cup match against David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy. The cost of the tickets would $1. The catch? Both clubs still have yet to qualify for the 2007 tournament, and even if they do, the chance of the two clubs squaring off are rather slim.

“As far as we know, this is the first time that a ticket has been sold for an event that is very unlikely to ever occur and certainly hasn’t even been scheduled,” said Sierko.

This begs the question, why would someone buy a ticket to a game that might not happen?

The plan is that if the game does occur, then everyone who bought a ticket will receive one admission to the match which, needless to say, will be the hottest ticket in town. If the game does not end up happening, then 100% of the money earned from the ticket sales will be donated, in the name of David Beckham, to the Harrisburg Parks Partnership which helps the Harrisburg Department of Parks and Recreation in the development and maintenance of parks and city playgrounds throughout the state capital.

“We have sold over 1,000 tickets to date and will continue to sell up to the limit of 5,000 as long as the dream stays alive,” said Sierko.

The dream will end as soon as the Galaxy or the City Islanders are eliminated from the Open Cup. Los Angeles has one more qualifying game to play against the New York Red Bulls. If they win, they are in.

Harrisburg’s first six games of the season double as cup qualifiers. If they are among the Second Division teams to get in, they would need to win two games in the tournament to advance to the Third Round and hope that US Soccer grants their wish to face off with the Galaxy when the draw occurs.

The goal of the fundraiser is not only to raise money, but also to get people excited about the club, the US Open Cup and soccer in general.

“We should do whatever we can to continue to grow the sport and get into the vision of casual fans,” said Sierko. “Hopefully, more people will become aware of the Open Cup because of Beckham because I am confident that once they are aware, they will be intrigued by the concept.”

To find out more information about buying tickets for the “Beckham Match”, visit the Harrisburg City Islanders official website.