Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Richmond Kickers

1995 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Amateur Richmond Kickers deliver clobbering upset of Atlanta Ruckus

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Graphic: Frank Lanham

What is the price of victory? If you ask Richmond Kickers head coach Dennis Viollet, US Open Cup success is not worth losing one of his top players.

As it was, the Atlanta Ruckus became the first victims in the USISL vs. A-League Open Cup showdowns, dropping their Quarterfinal match to the Richmond Kickers 2-1 at the University of Richmond Stadium.

Graphic: Frank Lanham

The amateur Kickers from the USISL Premier League controlled play for much of the opening half and took a 1-0 lead after 13 minutes. Ben Crawley, leading scorer at the University of Virginia for three seasons (1990-92), found Kickers leading scorer Rob Ukrop with a deep pass. Ukrop, a former national player of the year at Davidson College, then took the ball into the box and calmly beat Ruckus goalkeeper Mun Yung-Yi with a shot to the far post.

Describing the play, Crawley told the Richmond Times-Dispatch “We made eye contact, and he just peeled away from his defender (US National Team defender John Doyle). I laid the ball in there, and he made a great run.”

1995 us open cup rewind graphic

1995 US Open Cup Preview: The state of American soccer in 1995

1995 USOC Round 1 POTR: Carlos Llamosa
1995 USOC Q-Finals POTR: Ben Crawley
1995 USOC Semis POTR: Jake Arrambide
1995 USOC Final POTR: Jeff Causey
1995 USOC Player of Tourney: Rob Ukrop

1995 US Open Cup Results (click on the score of the game for a match report)

Little did Richmond know the momentum of the 1-0 halftime lead would not last long into the second half.

With just three minutes elapsed after halftime, Ukrop collided with Atlanta’s John Doyle while going after the ball, and Doyle’s elbow struck Ukrop in the face. While it appeared the elbow was not intentional, it is feared the Kickers will be without Ukrop for the rest of the season.

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“I don’t think it’s worth losing Robby Ukrop. I’m not a doctor but you could see his cheekbone was totally depressed. It’s a tragedy. He’s really been playing great, better than ever the past few games,” Viollet told the Richmond Times-Dispatch after the game. It was the second facial injury Ukrop has had in his career. In 1992 he suffered a broken jaw while playing for the indoor Baltimore Blast after being struck in the face.

Soon after, in the 51st minute, Atlanta tied the game when Richmond suffered a defensive lapse, allowing Doyle to practically walk in on goal and easily score the only goal for the Ruckus.

Almost 10 minutes after Atlanta tied the game, Richmond went back in front for good. Crawley, who assisted on the opening goal, once again made the crucial pass. Brian Kamler found Crawley streaking down the left side, who in turn passed to Scott Snyder. 

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Ruckus head coach Lothar Osiander was clearly not pleased with the performance of his team.

“We lost the game in the first half, not the second half. End of story,” Osiander, the former US National Team head coach said after the game. “This is an embarrassment for us. Sure. On paper it is. We’re supposed to be the best league in the country, and we get clobbered.”

“A little third division team beat a second division team. That will throw a loop in that league” said Richmond goalkeeper Jeff Causey who made eight saves on the night. “Whoever plays us next will have to think about that. It’s a good win.” 

That whoever will be the Chicago Stingers, the USISL Pro League (Div. 3) side who upset the A-League’s New York Centaurs 1-0.

Richmond Times Dispatch – July 7, 1995

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Virginia Dream delivers Richmond Kickers rare upset loss

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Players from the Virginia Dream and the Richmond Kickers battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Hendricks
Players from the Virginia Dream and the Richmond Kickers battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Hendricks

The Virginia Dream pulled off a ‘Cupset’ in the First Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday night, defeating the host Richmond Kickers 3-1 at City Stadium. The Dream, a lower-division side from the USASA-affiliated Virginia Super Soccer League, capitalized on defensive lapses and clinical finishing to send the USL League One club crashing out of the tournament.

The Kickers, playing at City Stadium for the first time since October 2024, rotated five players from their opening two matches of the regular season and struggled to find cohesion against a well-organized Virginia Dream squad.

Goalkeeper Joe Rice, who recently came out of retirement to join the Dream, said there was significance in the victory.

“This is a little bit more than an amateur team,” Rice said. “We have a bunch of ex-pros here, as you saw from the game tonight. We are a well-balanced, organized team, and I think it just goes to show the guys’ commitment. It’s a Cupset for a reason. Don’t call us Cinderella, but we’re going to try to go as far as we can.”

Elijah Amo, who played a key role in Virginia’s attacking presence, praised the atmosphere at City Stadium.

“It was a good atmosphere. Always fun to play in this game, especially because the crowd always gets very into it,” Amo said. “I was just trying to be dangerous as a winger, create a little chaos for the other team’s backline, and do what I could.”

After an early spell of pressure from Richmond, the Dream took control of the match and created the more dangerous opportunities despite being outpossessed nearly 2-to-1 on the evening.

The visitors struck first in the 8th minute when Nicholas Lukulia weaved past defender Gui Franca in the box and was brought down, earning a penalty. Lukulia converted the spot kick to give Virginia a 1-0 lead.

The Kickers responded in the 36th minute, equalizing through a well-worked attack to tie the match heading into halftime.

But Virginia quickly reasserted control in the second half. Thomas Suchecki restored the visitors’ lead in the 53rd minute, finishing from close range after a precise chip-pass from Gnaoua Kossehasse.

In the 61st minute, Virginia put the game out of reach when Akingbolahan Akinkoye broke free on a counterattack and slotted his shot past Richmond goalkeeper Pablo Jara, securing a famous victory for the Dream.

Kickers fans, hoping for a strong showing ahead of Saturday’s home opener, left disappointed as their club fell to an amateur opponent in the Open Cup for just the third time in 25 tournament appearances. The last time it happened was at City Stadium in 2017 when they fell to Christos FC.

For Virginia, the win marked another milestone in its recent rise. The club earned a spot in the Open Cup after navigating the Open Division Qualifying tournament, where they knocked off three-time qualifiers Aegean Hawks to secure their place in the competition.

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Loudoun United leans on academy kids, edge Richmond Kickers in PKs

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Players from Loudoun United (right) and the Richmond Kickers battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez
Players from Loudoun United (right) and the Richmond Kickers battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Justin Nunez

The beauty of the Open Cup was on full display Wednesday night at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia as USL League One Richmond Kickers took on intrastate rival and Championship side Loudoun United in a tightly fought match that in the end took penalties to decide Loudoun as a winner.

In the end, a goalkeeper was the hero as Dane Jacomen saved Arthur Bosua’s attempt to win the game, capping off a MOTM performance in his first start of the season for Loudoun.

“I was proud of the guys to come out and defend well. We created a lot of really good chances. In the end, we had four academy kids on the field so we had to go pretty deep to make it happen,” said Loudoun head coach Ryan Martin. “When you look at this — digging deep and going 120 minutes without conceding against a pretty good team — it’s a springboard of confidence.”

The match started slowly, with both teams starting heavily rotated XIs. Dominating possession, Loudoun began to turn up the pressure before the 15th minute but Richmond absorbed it and grew into the game as the half progressed. Two of the key moments in the first half were disciplinary: Richmond’s Zaca Moran picked up a 12th-minute yellow, and his teammate Nicholas Simmonds earned a yellow in the 25th, after a dangerous tackle on Keegan Hughes. After receiving treatment on his ankle, Hughes initially played on but found himself unable to continue, coming off in the 36th minute.

The rest of the half was open with both teams creating chances, though Loudoun looked the likelier to score, keeping Richmond keeper Ryan Shellow on his toes in his first start for the Kickers.

Both teams made changes at the half, opening the game up even further. The match saw quality chances on either end, with both backlines and goalkeepers pulling out increasingly heroic blocks and saves as the game wore on. Both teams had quick breakaways, with Ryan Sierakowski in on goal for Richmond and Christiano François finding space for Loudoun but both keepers came out quickly and made themselves big to earn the save. Adrian Billhardt caused considerable trouble down the right wing for Richmond and François made up for his miss with several dangerous carries into the Richmond box.

Photo: Justin Nunez

Unfortunately for both teams’ front lines, both backlines stood strong. Shins, backs, knees, foreheads from close range, even other attackers’ bodies — every defensive weapon available was deployed to block Richmond’s 11 and Loudoun’s 12 shots (numbers which seem conservatively counted by my estimate). And more impressively, with very little discipline required. Despite the sometimes frenetic defending, neither team earned a penalty. Loudoun’s only yellow was shown to striker François and Richmond’s backline picked up their only yellow in the 113th minute.

Extra time was more of the same, with both teams finding opportunities and defensive heroics displayed on both ends. The intensity never dropped and both teams looked as though they believed they could find the winner.

Ultimately, it took penalties. And unsurprisingly, very little separated the sides as the shootout progressed. Both teams demonstrated nerves of steel, with nine straight spot-kicks converted until Jacomen’s save to give the Championship side the win.

“I think when you look around the world at cups, and with MLS teams pulling out of the Open Cup, this really is the beauty of it,” Martin said. “Games like this and atmospheres like this involving two good teams in two fun cities — it’s fun for everyone.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Richmond Kickers win chippy affair with Maryland Bobcats, 5-2

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Richmond Kickers players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks - Jessicastonehendricks.com
Richmond Kickers players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Maryland Bobcats in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks – Jessicastonehendricks.com

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.

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Richmond Kickers avenge cupset with 1-0 win over Christos FC

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The Richmond Kickers edged Christos FC 1-0 in the FIrst Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks – Jessicastonehendricks.com

The Richmond Kickers won their First Round match of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, 1-0 over Christos FC. Kickers newcomer and 2022 USL League One Comeback Player of the Year, Adrian Bilhardt scored the only goal of the match in first half stoppage time. The hosts earned a much needed win at City Stadium after being winless at home since July 3, 2023.

Richmond was seeking revenge as the last time these two teams met, the amateur side Christos FC earned a 1-0 win. Billhardt put the Kickers’ fans at ease as he delivered the game’s only goal after the Kickers goalkeeper, Pablo Jara played a direct ball over the top of the Christos defense. After a failed attempted clearance by a Christos defender, Billhardt maintained position and shot it low and hard past the goalkeeper.

Richmond Kickers head coach, Darren Sawatzky, spoke highly of Billhardt after the game.

“He scored a great goal, he’s a smart player and he was a little banged up and tired from the Spokane trip but he’s a threat for us and he’s a very good player that takes the pressure off of Nil (Vinyals) and when Emi (Terzaghi) is healthy we are going to have a pretty potent attack,” said Sawatzky.

Billhardt’s goal, his third career Open Cup game-winning goal (and his third career goal) was a bright spot in what was otherwise a frustrating evening for the Kickers. Christos FC set up a low block that the Kickers had a difficult time breaking through during the entire match. Despite being down, Christos FC held onto hope throughout the match and threatened Richmond late.


In the 88th minute, Christos FC sent everybody forward and with the ball on its way into the box the Christos believed it met the arm of a Kickers player, but the referee did not make the call. The fireworks continued as the Christos FC bench continued to make the appeal for a handball, the referee decided he had heard enough and he issued a red card to the Christos FC assistant coach.

Frustration was very much a theme of the evening for both sides. Richmond showed signs of fatigue that can be attributed to traveling to Washington state to play USL League One newcomers, Spokane Velocity. Head coach, Darren Sawatzky spoke to the challenge of traveling across the country and back.

“I thought we had done most of what we needed to do in terms of our legs,” said Sawatzky. “The guys definitely showed that trip all the way across the country and back, we looked tired and fatigued tonight, Nil stepped on a couple of balls which is not like him. It took us a while to get going, we found a goal, we locked it down and got a win. I’m proud of the guys.”

Despite the fatigue, Richmond pulled out a win against a very challenging and motivated Christos FC.

The Kickers will turn their attention to USL League One competition as they are set to play against Billhardt’s former club South Georgia Tormenta at home on Saturday. 

 

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: With PK goal, PK save DC United edges Richmond Kickers as rivalry renewed

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Alex Bono of D.C. United celebrates after saving a penalty kick against the Richmond Kickers in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: D.C. United
Alex Bono of D.C. United celebrates after saving a penalty kick against the Richmond Kickers in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: D.C. United

On a perfect spring evening for soccer at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., D.C. United manager Wayne Rooney gambled he could get by the Richmond Kickers in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a squad composed primarily of the very young (five starters couldn’t legally buy a beer) and those playing themselves back into shape after layoffs.  Their opponent was was the Richmond Kickers, a highly-motivated USL League One side led by their Argentine goal scoring talisman Emiliano Terzaghi, who has delighted Kickers fans with 48 goals over 82 appearances. Rooney’s gamble paid off as D.C. was able to sneak by their frequent US Open Cup rivals to the south 1-0 on a second half penalty kick.

It was the seventh all-time meeting in US Open Cup play, the second most common matchup in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present). It was their first meeting since 2013.

The first half was slow to take shape. United struggled to make meaningful progress going forward and had some dicey moments trying to play out of the back. The Kickers had the better chances  most of the half with Matthew Bentley on the right flank combining with Terzaghi. Terzaghi had a clear chance midway through the half unmarked about twelve yards from the goal but D.C. keeper Alex Bono, in his first start of the season, anticipated the shot and saved the attempt.

In the later stages of the first half United made some credible efforts at opening the scoring. Recently-reacquired midfielder Emil Asad almost pulled off an “Olimpico” in the 34th minute, grazing the crossbar directly off a corner kick. Running up top for D.C., Kristian Fletcher and Ted Ku-DiPietro worked hard but had no good looks at goal.

Andy Najar was a consistent bright spot for D.C. throughout the evening. Najar steadied an inexperienced, and sometimes nervous, United back line, was the most consistent and effective player moving the ball out of D.C.’s defensive third and was dangerous going forward. United assistant coach Pete Shuttleworth praised Najar performance, his first game back after injury.

“It was good to get Andy back in. I think he tired a bit at the end, which was natural,” said Shuttleworth. “You saw his ability when he got on the ball. He’s a phenomenal talent.”

United’s Lewis O’Brien, recently acquired from Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, replaced Ruan at halftime and lifted the largely inexperienced D.C. squad. O’Brien supplied much needed vision and direction. O’Brien’s entry really changed the tenor of the game.

Najar’s creativity and energy were rewarded in the 51st minute when a darting run into the box resulted in his being fouled and referee JC Griggs pointing to the penalty spot. Asad stepped up and converted the spot kick, slotting the ball to Kickers’ keeper Akira Fitzgerald’s right.

Richmond coach Darren Sawatzky tried to inject energy into his squad, making four substitutions by the 70th minute. Richmond had sustained periods of pressure and were rewarded with a penalty because of a clumsy challenge by D.C. centerback Hayden Sargis on Kharlton Belmar. Terzaghi’s attempt was only slightly off-center and at a good height for Bono.  To the the dismay of the roughly 150 Kickers fans who made the trip north, and were noisy and boisterous throughout the match, Bono made a relatively easy stop diving to his left.

There were a couple nervy moments left in the match, but Bono was not called on for any more heroics. Rooney’s gamble paid off.  He rested his starters. and the three-time Open Cup champions survive the opening round of the competition for the fourth year in a row. The Kickers have a lot of positives to take away from the match. They played evenly with a club two divisions above them and were unlucky not to get to extra time.

“At the end of the day I felt we did enough to win the game tonight,” said Sawatzky. “I feel for the guys because it was a great performance, but it’s an MLS club – they took the three points.”

2023 US Open Cup Round 2: After massive delays, Richmond Kickers hold off late push from Cleveland SC to advance

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Players from the Richmond Kickers celebrate after scoring a goal against Cleveland SC in the Second Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
Players from the Richmond Kickers celebrate after scoring a goal against Cleveland SC in the Second Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

The Richmond Kickers won their Second Round match of the 2023 US Open Cup, 3-2 over Cleveland SC. The three-time USL League One MVP and Golden Boot winner, Emiliano Terzaghi scored two goals and assisted on another by Dakota Barnathan in what would end up being a close match between the two sides.

This match was a test of endurance between the two sides and the fans. The cup tie was scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m., but storms would delay the match for a couple of hours. The initial kick off finally took place at 9:43 p.m., but after another delay, the match would not end until 12:49 a.m.

The win means that the Kickers will move on to Round 3 where they will travel to renew an old rivalry. Richmond will take on D.C. United of Major League Soccer for the seventh time in Open Cup play. It is the second most common matchup of the Modern Era, but the two teams haven’t met since 2013, when D.C. won in penalties.

From the kickoff, Richmond maintained possession and was on the front foot of the match. The Kickers had several good chances throughout the first half, but the first goal would not come until the 31st minute when Emiliano Terzaghi finished a chance provided by Matt Bentley across the face of the goal.

After Terzaghi’s goal, the game would enter its second weather delay. The stoppage began in the 35th minute and the game wouldn’t resume until 11:33 p.m. The resilience of the teams and the fans were tested as the Kickers and Cleveland SC would wait patiently in their locker rooms for over an hour. The delay would eventually come to an end and the teams would play the final 12 minutes of the first half before halftime.

After halftime the Kickers came out again on the front foot. They limited Cleveland’s ability to get on the ball while maintaining the majority of possession in the early part of the second half. After a few half chances, the Kickers would finally break through for their second goal. The Kickers had a streak of corner kicks that finally saw the ball ending up in the back of the net. Nil Vinyals fed a ball into the box to Terzaghi who would eventually put it away for the Kickers’ second goal of the night in the 59th minute.

The Kickers proceeded to attack Cleveland despite their 2-0 lead and they scored a third goal off the foot of Dakota Barnathan, an alum of the local university in Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University. Another corner kick was taken at the 79th minute and the ball would eventually land at Barnathan’s feet via an assist by Emiliano Terzaghi. Dakota put away his chance from the six yard box and Richmond held a 3-0 lead. 

However, Cleveland SC fought hard to stay in the game. Immediately after Barnathan’s goal, Tom Beck scored a goal assisted by Kieran Toland after a string of beautiful passes down the left flank of Richmond’s defense. At the 80th minute, the score would be 3-1. Cleveland SC would make things really interesting at the 86th minute when Skye Harter scored from a free kick just outside the 18 yard box. Cleveland SC scored their second goal of the night and it would be 3-2. However, Cleveland would not threaten again after that point and the Richmond Kickers held onto their 3-2 lead to advance to the Third Round where they will face D.C. United. 

The match initially appeared to be a dominant performance by the Richmond Kickers, but it would eventually become a survive and advance match for the home side. The Richmond Kickers head coach, Darren Sawatzky said, “it was a really interesting night, having the time off was really frustrating and difficult for all of us, tonight was about surviving and advancing and we’ll go back to the drawing board and get back to work.”

The US Open Cup invites teams to fight through adversity and eventually come out on the other side. The Richmond Kickers were able to fight through three hours of weather delays, maintain their focus, and secure a 3-2 victory over Cleveland SC.

With the win, Richmond has advanced 36 times in the US Open Cup in club history. The 1995 champions are now tied with the LA Galaxy for 7th most in the Modern Era (1995-present).

2022 US Open Cup Round 4: Yordy Reyna ignites Charlotte FC offense in road win at Richmond Kickers

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Yordy Reyna of Charlotte FC dribbles the ball against the Richmond Kickers in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Richard Hayes | RVAHub.com
Yordy Reyna of Charlotte FC dribbles the ball against the Richmond Kickers in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Richard Hayes | RVAHub.com

MLS expansion side Charlotte FC traveled to City Stadium to take on the Richmond Kickers and came away with a 5-1 win on Wednesday night. While the hosts from USL League One held their own for much of the game, it was a barrage of Charlotte goals early in the second half that dashed their hopes of an MLS upset.

After Charlotte went into the halfime break leading 1-0, the Kickers came out strong in the second half, scoring an equalizer in the 53rd minute. However, any momentum they gained in front of their home fans quickly faded as the MLS side scored a minute later. It was the first of three goals in a seven-minute span which cracked the game wide open.

Yordy Reyna was the player who turned the tide for Charlotte. The Peruvian forward scored a goal and added three assists to send the first-year club to the Round of 16.

The greater Richmond community is no stranger to MLS teams coming to town. The Kickers have hosted MLS teams 13 different times prior to Wednesday’s match. City Stadium had a buzz to it as the Kickers were hosting their first MLS opponent since 2015 when the Columbus Crew beat them 3-1 in the Third Round.

Wednesday’s game featured the oldest running soccer franchise in the United States against one of the newest. The Richmond Kickers, winners of the 1995 US Open Cup, were founded in 1993 and have won three USL championships that pre-date the current USL Championship and USL League One.

Charlotte FC have rallied the support of the greater Charlotte area in a very exciting way. Their home opener broke a record in the United States when they drew 74,479 fans to Bank of America Stadium, a stadium they share with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Members of the Charlotte FC supporter’s group, the Crown, made the five-hour trip to Richmond to support Charlotte FC and made their voices heard. 

https://youtu.be/XaZIhjXUHtQ

The first half of the game provided for a lot of excitement. Early on, Richmond had the better chances and created a lot of opportunities for their striker, reigning two-time USL League One MVP Emiliano Terzaghi. However, it would be Charlotte who would get on the scoreboard first with a goal from Daniel Rios.

Charlotte FC had the ball in the Kickers 18-yard box and maneuvered passes around until Rios could slot it home past the Kickers keeper, Akira Fitzgerald.

The chances continued for Richmond throughout the first half and at halftime the score was 1-0.

The announced crowd of 4,621 at City Stadium was buzzing with excitement for the second half and the home team delivered. Zaca Moran scored in the 53rd minute from the top of the 18-yard box after the ball took a deflection in front and ended up in the back of the net. The equalizer gave Richmond a sense of hope that they could upset the MLS side.

Daniel Rios of Charlotte FC battles for the ball against the Richmond Kickers in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
Daniel Rios of Charlotte FC battles for the ball against the Richmond Kickers in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

“(After the first half) we were feeling great, we scored a great goal and got back in the game,” Richmond Kickers head coach Darren Sawatzky said after the game. “I think we had more of the ball then them at the start of the second half, goals change games and when you give one away it changes the momentum of the game.”

That would be the story for the rest of the game as Charlotte FC got one back only a couple of minutes after the Kickers equalizer. Yordy Reyna scored after a give-and-go in the 54th minute and it would eventually open things up for Charlotte FC to score three more goals before the night was over.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "Champions" shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “Champions” shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

McKinze Gaines helped open up the floodgates when Reyna broke open on a counter attack down the left wing. With plenty of space and the Richmond defenders trying to get back to recover, Reyna played it across into the box for Gaines who slotted it home to make it 3-1.

Reyna would play a role in his fourth straight goal, picking the ball up near the midfield circle and playing a through ball up to Gaines on the right side. After a couple of touches, Gaines pulled the ball back to his right foot and beat Fitzgerald to the far post.

Andre Shinyashiki scored the fifth and final goal of the night for Charlotte FC in the 86th minute. On a corner kick, the ball fell to him right in front of goal and he roofed the ball from close range.

“This is the beauty of the Open Cup,” said Shinyashiki. “You get teams from different divisions playing each other. They were a very good team, they made it hard for us and they played really well in the first half.”

Charlotte will learn their Round of 16 opponent on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. ET when the USSF conducts the draw.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Terzaghi’s 118th min. goal saves Richmond Kickers from amateur upset

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Emiliano Terzaghi of the Richmond Kickers celebrates his 118th minute goal against the North Carolina Fusion U-23s in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
Emiliano Terzaghi of the Richmond Kickers celebrates his 118th minute goal against the North Carolina Fusion U-23s in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

Sometimes all it takes is a really good substitute to make the difference. In the Third Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at City Stadium, the Richmond Kickers certainly had that. Thanks to second-half substitute Emiliano Terzaghi’s late strike in extra time, the USL League One side staved off an upset by outlasting North Carolina Fusion U-23s, 1-0.

The 2020 USL League One MVP scored in the 118th minute to avoid penalty kicks and send the 1995 US Open Cup champions to the Fourth Round.


While one might expect the Kickers to use their experience and home-field advantage to dominate in the first half, it was the Fusion who had the lion’s share of attacking chances. Using their speed and quick passing, the USL-2 side moved the ball effortlessly through the Kickers defense creating some of the attacking chances in the first half.

In the 27th minute, Tom Marriott zigged and zagged through the Kickers defense, clubbing a powerful chance on target that hit off of the post.

In the 33rd minute, Fusion’s Jaime DiLuzio connected on a cross into the box and delivered a strong header on target. However, Kickers goalkeeper Will Palmquist palmed it away.

Attacking chances might have been few and far between in the first half but foul play was not. The two sides combined for five yellow cards in the first 45 minutes with Fusion’s Luis Neto paying the price, having to be subbed off in the 17th minute.

Business picked up in the second half with both sides looking to gain the advantage and hopefully a ticket into the Round of 32. The Kickers led things off in the 67th minute with Stuart Ritchie smashing a shot from just inside the 18-yard box. Perryman had to make a leaping effort but his fingertip save was just enough to keep things level.

The Fusion very nearly played spoilers with Tom Marriott breaking free of the Kickers backline in the 88th minute. However, Palmquist made an excellent read and made a clever diving stop to prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Players from the Richmond Kickers (green) and North Carolina Fusion U-23s go up for a header in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
Players from the Richmond Kickers (green) and North Carolina Fusion U-23s go up for a header in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

Things seemed to switch in the Kickers favor in extra time with the more seasoned side using their experience to stretch the field. Although they were denied on multiple occasions thanks to the stout Fusion back-line, Richmond would not be denied.

Terzaghi used his fresh legs to put his side ahead in the final two minutes of extra time. A Richmond free kick was taken near midfield and driven high in the air into the Fusion six yard box. The ball was knocked away toward right side of the field, near the end line where a North Carolina defender attempted to clear it. Richmond’s Dakota Barnathan ran up behind the defender and stole the ball and immediately played the ball in front of goal where Terzaghi snuck the ball just inside the post and beyond the goal line to score the game’s only goal.

It would prove to be, at a minimum, a goal that denied the Fusion $12,500. North Carolina and FC Motown (NPSL) were the last two remaining Open Division amateur teams in the tournament and the team that advanced the farthest would receive $25,000. FC Motown were also eliminated, but they lost in penalty kicks to Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro), which is officially listed as a draw. Had North Carolina reached a penalty kick shootout with Richmond, even if they would have lost that shootout, they would have tied with FC Motown and split the prize money. However, since they lost in extra time, FC Motown received the entire $25,000.

For Richmond, their reward is a spot in the Fourth Round where they will host MLS expansion side Charlotte FC. The Kickers have upset five MLS teams in their history and will attempt to earn a sixth on May 11 at City Stadium.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: David Olsen on comeback trail with game-winner for Richmond Kickers

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Richmond Kickers NOVA FC 2022 US Open Cup
The Richmond Kickers celebrate a goal by David Olsen against Northern Virginia FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

In a spirited US Open Cup Second Round match against a in-state foe, the Richmond Kickers once again proved its mettle with a spirited 1-0 victory over Northern Virginia FC in Leesburg, Va. to start its season with a second straight victory across all competitions.

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For the Richmond Kickers, winners of the 1995 US Open Cup title, they won their opening round game for the third tournament in a row and earn the club’s 32nd victory in the competition. With a 32-19-4 (2-2 PKs) all-time record, they tie the Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) for 7th in the Modern Era wins list.

NoVa FC entered the match a bit sluggish against Richmond to start after a 3-1 First Round win over Lynchburg FC that was played a week ago after being suspended due to weather conditions a week prior.

In the first half, NoVa conceded much of the possession to Richmond (61%) however Richmond’s inability to finish in the final third was helped by a strong showing from goalkeeper Calle Brown.

The Kickers — sporting green 30th anniversary kits — were able to ratchet up the pressure around the 30th minute mark, with Barcelona-born USL player of the week, Nils Vinyals, denied at close range twice by Brown.

NoVa’s defense was not able to hold off Richmond for long. In the 34th minute, the Kickers’ Matt Bentley splashed in a picture-perfect cross from the right side of the box to David Olsen, who guided the ball into the back of the net for his first goal in nearly four years. Olsen who has missed significant time over the last four years due to injury, signed with the Kickers this offseason hoping to get his professional career back on track.

Richmond kept the pressure up until halftime, with Bentley almost scoring in the 43rd minute off a cross into the box from the left, but his shot missed wide.

With a slew of attacking players substituting into the game early in the second half, NOVA FC hoped to turn the momentum. With the addition of attack-minded midfielder Akingbolabo Akinkoye and two additional strikers (Jean-Philippe Ayolmbong and Eric Calvillo), the Leesburg side looked to push Richmond on the back foot.


The Kickers were able to hold strong and see the match out, despite a very vigorous and nearly fruitful push from NOVA in the final 10 minutes, including an attempt at goal in the 84th minute that was parried away by Richmond keeper, Akira Fitzgerald.

Richmond will find out their Third Round opponent when the draw is announced at Noon (ET) on Friday and will look to continue its undefeated start in league play with a USL League One tussle against the Northern Colorado Hailstorm at home on Saturday.

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