:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11461191/kemp_040613_kitsteiner.0.jpg)
In what is a rivalry day for all levels of D.C. United players, the Richmond Kickers continue their 21st season tonight against the Charleston Battery. And unless United and the Battery meet in the U.S. Open Cup, this could be the closest thing to a contested Coffee Pot Cup that we get this year. But make no mistake, these two teams are traditional rivals and traditional powerhouses, having combined for 7 league titles over their 21 years, and the Battery are the defending champions of USL Pro. This game will be hard fought and the Kickers will need to figure out their offensive woes quickly. If you're not at RFK Stadium and you don't have Direct Kick or MLS Live, why don't you join me?
The Kickers have made some moves in the lead up to this game. They have re-signed their all-time leading scorer, Matthew Delicâte; they have re-signed defensive utility man Luke Vercollone, who spent the off-season on trial with the Colorado Rapids; and they signed wayward forward Joseph Ngwenya, who D.C. United fans will remember for being Pajoy before Pajoy. However, I don't see any of these signings as affecting the development of any of United's loanees. Ngwenya will take time from Jason Yeisley, who started as the target forward, and Delicâte played most of last season as a sub.
Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: City Stadium, Richmond, Va.
Streaming: All USL Pro games, are available for free at uslnation.com. The Kickers stream is a work in progress, as they are currently streaming off of a 4G dongle while battling with the city and internet providers to get actual wired internet to the 84 year old stadium. Games are also available on demand.
Projected Richmond Kickers Lineup: Again, I expect that all four of the D.C. United players who are currently with the Kickers (Michael Seaton is still with the Jamaica U-17 team) to start. With that in mind, I expect Andrew Dykstra to start in goal, William Yomby and Conor Shanosky to start in central defense, and Taylor Kemp and Alex Lee to start as the fullbacks. Henry Kalungi and Luke Vercollone will start in central midfield, with Brian Ownby and Sascha Goerres out wide, and Joseph Haboush as the attacking midfielder. Casey Townsend will start as the forward, but expect him to drift wide and beat people on the dribble.
Prediction: Even though they are the defending champions, I still have high hopes for the Kickers. Perhaps a 2-1 victory is in the cards?
What are you drinking? I won't be drinking anything, as I will be in the press box, but there are beer trucks now at City Stadium. If you're in RVA, come by and have one!
Get in with your pre-game, in-game, and post-game discussion.