The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. Beforehand, the Kickers have had numerous spells throughout the second, third and fourth divisions of American soccer. The team has played in the third division of American soccer since 2006, and are among of the oldest continuously operating professional soccer clubs in the United States.
In their inaugural season, the Kickers played in the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL), which, at the time, represented the third division of American soccer. After a poor outing in 1994, the Kickers self-relegated themselves to the newly formed fourth-tier USISL Premier League, now known as the Premier Development League. During the 1995 season, the Kickers went on to win the first ever USISL Premier League championship, defeating the now-defunct Cocoa Expos in the championship. That same season, the Kickers won their first, and to date only, U.S. Open Cup championship. The following year, the Kickers self-promoted themselves back into the third division, where the reached the USISL Select League championship, only to lose to the California Jaguars in the championship.
For the next nine seasons, the Kickers played in the second tier of the American soccer pyramid, earning the Commissioner's Cup twice, in 1998 and 2001, as well as earning two conference championships. However, the Kickers never won a division two league championship, their closest coming in 2005, when the Kickers fell to the Seattle Sounders in the 2005 USL First Division Championship. After the 2005 season, the Kickers ownership self-relegated the team back into the third division, citing possible financial problems for the club if they remained in the second tier. Since joining the third division, the Kickers have had tremendous success, making it to at least the semifinals of the playoffs each season they have played in the third division. Additionally, the Kickers have won two third division premierships and two third division championships during their spell.
The team's home field is the 22,000-seat City Stadium, where the club has played since 2003. The club is presently owned by Richmond native, and former Kickers player, Rob Ukrop, who is also an heir to the area's Ukrop's Food Group chain. The team is coached by Englishman Leigh Cowlishaw, who has held the helm of head coaching duties for the last 12 years.
The Kickers had two developmental teams - Richmond Kickers Future and Richmond Kickers Destiny. Future played in the men's USL Premier Development League until 2008, while the Destiny left the women's USL W-League after the 2009 season.
[edit] History
The Kickers were founded in 1993, playing their first season in the USISL, playing in the league's amateur division. 1995 may have been the team's most successful year - the team not only won the USISL Premier League after a 15-3 regular season, they became the most recent team to win the U.S. Open Cup. In September 2005, Rob Ukrop's #6 jersey was retired. He was a well-liked soccer player on and off of the field, and particularly notable since he is the son of the influential Ukrop's grocery store CEO Robert "Bobby" Ukrop. In October 2005, the Kickers announced they would move down to the USL Second Division for the 2006 season, proclaiming it a cost-saving measure to save the franchise.[1] In the 2007 U.S. Open Cup, the Kickers defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS 1-0 in the third round of competition.[2]
The Kickers won their First Round match of the 2008 U.S. Open Cup, beating the Fredericksburg Gunners of the PDL with a final scoreline of 3-0.[3] The Kickers won their second round game over the Western Mass Pioneers 2-1 before being eliminated from the Cup in the third round by MLS side (and defending USOC champion) New England Revolution 3-0.
[edit] Colors and badge
[edit] Stadium
[edit] Club Culture
[edit] Supporters
The Kickers official supporters groups are Cornerkicks, La Brigada Roja and River City Brigade
[edit] James River Cup
The James River Cup was an annual competition held between the Richmond Kickers and the Virginia Beach Mariners (formerly Hampton Roads Mariners) which the team with the most points at the conclusion of all scheduled matches between the two teams would win. The Cup was held every year since 1996 with the exception of 1997 and 2001 when Virginia Beach did not field a team. In 2007, the Virginia Beach team was disbanded.
For the 2008 season, the James River Cup was contested between the Kickers' organization and the Hampton Roads Piranhas organization. The cup went to the organization that had the most points in games between their PDL and W-League teams. The series ended up tied 2-2-1, with the Piranhas winning the Cup on goal difference.
[edit] Winners
[edit] Broadcasting
[edit] Roster
[edit] First team roster
As of January 10, 2012.[4]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
[edit] Reserves and academy roster
[edit] Club management
[edit] Head coaching history
[edit] Achievements and honors
[edit] Record
[edit] Year-by-year
| Year |
Division |
League |
Regular Season |
Playoffs |
U.S. Open Cup |
| 1993 |
3 |
USISL |
4th, Atlantic Division |
Divisional Semifinals |
Did Not Enter |
| 1994 |
3 |
USISL |
9th, Atlantic Division |
Did Not Qualify |
Did Not Enter |
| 1994 |
N/A |
USISL Indoor |
2nd, Northern Division |
Did Not Qualify |
Did Not Enter |
| 1995 |
4 |
USISL Premier League |
2nd, Eastern Division |
Champions |
Champions |
| 1996 |
3 |
USISL Select League |
2nd, North Atlantic Division |
Final |
Did Not Qualify |
| 1997 |
2 |
USISL A-League |
3rd, Atlantic Division |
Division Semifinals |
3rd Round |
| 1998 |
2 |
USISL A-League |
1st, Atlantic Division |
Conference Semifinals |
Did Not Qualify |
| 1999 |
2 |
USL A-League |
2nd, Atlantic Division |
Second Round |
Did Not Qualify |
| 2000 |
2 |
USL A-League |
2nd, Atlantic Division |
Conference Semifinals |
3rd round |
| 2001 |
2 |
USL A-League |
1st, Central Conference |
Quarterfinals |
Quarterfinals |
| 2002 |
2 |
USL A-League |
2nd, Southeast Division |
Final |
3rd Round |
| 2003 |
2 |
USL A-League |
3rd, Southeast Division |
Did Not Qualify |
Did Not Qualify |
| 2004 |
2 |
USL A-League |
2nd, Eastern Conference |
Quarterfinals |
Quarterfinals |
| 2005 |
2 |
USL First Division |
6th |
Final |
4th Round |
| 2006 |
3 |
USL Second Division |
1st |
Champions |
2nd Round |
| 2007 |
3 |
USL Second Division |
1st |
Final |
Quarterfinals |
| 2008 |
3 |
USL Second Division |
2nd |
Semifinals |
3rd Round |
| 2009 |
3 |
USL Second Division |
2nd |
Champions |
1st Round |
| 2010 |
3 |
USL Second Division |
2nd |
Final |
3rd Round |
| 2011 |
3 |
USL Pro |
3rd, American Division |
Semifinals |
Semifinals |
[edit] History vs. Major League Soccer
[edit] International Competition
[edit] Average Attendance
- 2011, 2,545
- 2010: 2,044
- 2009: 2,874
- 2008: 2,519
- 2007: 2,594
- 2006: 2,341
- 2005: 2,754
- 2004: 2,333
- 2003: 2,273
- 2002: 2,431
- 2001: 2,436
- 2000: 2,192
- 1999: 2,488
- 1998: 2,527
- 1997: 1,925
- 1996: 1,255
- 1995: 1,109
- 1994: 985
- 1993: 2,433
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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Richmond Kickers
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Sidekicks • Monroe Street Maniacs
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Honors (7)
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| U.S. Open Cup (1) |
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Commissioner's Cup: 1998 • 2001
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Champions: 2006 • 2009 Regular Season Champions: 2006 • 2007
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Champions: 1995
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Richmond Kickers related articles
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Richmond Kickers – current squad
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Richmond Kickers tournaments
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Phoenix · San Antonio · Boston Victory
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| Overview |
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| Men's national teams |
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| Cup competitions |
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| Men's college soccer |
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| Defunct |
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Rob Ukrop
Leigh Cowlishaw
Current season
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small}
Ihor Dotsenko
John Kerr, Sr.
Colin Clarke
