Matt Watson

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’

2007 First Round: Richmond hands Michigan Bucks first-ever opening round loss

June 12, 2007 by

For the first time in club history, including six previous appearances in the US Open Cup, the Michigan Bucks were eliminated in the First Round of the tournament. It was a battle between the Bucks, the defending PDL champion, and the Richmond Kickers, the defending USL Second Division champion, and it was the Kickers who came out on top, 4-2. The loss by the Bucks also ruined their perfect 5-0 all-time record against professional teams from the Second Division.

The Kickers took the lead in the first half on a pair of set pieces, scored by Robert Ssejjmba and Trevor McEachron. As the game moved to halftime, a severe thunderstorm moved into the area, and the start of the second half was delayed until almost 10:30 p.m. Once the game resumed, the Bucks created several scoring opportunities, but it was the Kickers who scored the next goal, in the 70th minute from Sascha Gorres. Michigan made a valiant comeback however, with goals in the 73rd and 76th minute from Nic Djokic to make the score 3-2. Richmond finally put the game away for good with four minutes to play when Matthew Watson scored for the 4-2 final.

The Kickers will now host the Cleveland City Stars in the Second Round on June 26. Both teams are undefeated this season in USL Second Division league play.

Scoring
(RICH) Robert Ssejjemba 7’
(RICH) Trevor McEachron 36’
(RICH) Sascha Gorres 70’
(MICH) Nik Djokic 73’
(MICH) Nik Djokic 76’
(RICH) Matt Watson 86’

Richmond Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Trevor McEachron, Kelvin Jones, Steven Wolfe, Evan Harding, Sascha Gorres, Mike Burke, Matt Watson, Ihor Dotsenko, David Bulow, Robert Ssejjemba (Nowaf Jaman 77’)

Michigan Bucks: GK Steve Clark, Mike Holody, Kyle Russell (Eric Bronner 45’), Joe Donoho (Doug Demarkia 86’), Ian Daniel (Nik Djokic 45’), Pietr Nowak, Alex Morisset, Ty Shiplane (Xavier Balc 66’), Nate Jafta, Mkhokheli Dube, Kenny Uzoiqwe

Shots: RIC 13, MIC 6
Saves: RIC 3, MIC 7
Corners: RIC 3, MIC 5
Fouls: RIC 10, MIC 17
Cautions: BAN Lockhart 19’, SEA Scott 34’, BAN Id-Deen 88’

Cautions:
62nd minute: Kenny Uzoigwe (Michigan)
80th minute: Mike Holody (Michigan)
85th minute: Ihor Dotsenko (Richmond)

Referee: Shaun Papperman
Assistant Referees: Robert Velbis, Bill Dittmar
Fourth Official: Kyle Falce
Attendance: 522
Weather: Warm, stormy, 84º