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The Richmond Kickers' massive homestand to open their USL Pro season continues tonight at 7pm against the Rochester Rhinos. The Rhinos played to a 0-0 draw against the Charlotte Eagles last night in a rainstorm in North Carolina; the Kickers have three such back to back games this season. This game is also the Kickers first matchup against another USL Pro team with an MLS affiliation, as the Rhinos are affiliated with the New England Revolution and have received loanees Tyler Polak, Bilal Duckett, Gabe Latigue, and Matt Horth. Jesse Myers became the coach of the Rhinos in 2012 after spending 15 years as an assistant for the Kickers, and they split last season's series with each team winning on the road.
The Kickers may have to deal with the first disruption to their roster, as Steve Goff is hearing that Casey Townsend will be staying in the District this weekend rather than reporting to Richmond. With the lost of their starting forward, the Kickers will have to rearrange the lineup that dominated the defending champion Charleston Battery last week. However, Michael Seaton should be reporting to Richmond after his stint with Jamaica's U-17 national team to keep the proper number of loanees in town. While I do not expect Seaton to start, it would be nice to see him get his first professional minutes.
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: At least three of the five(ish) loanees should be starting tonight. Andrew Dykstra will start in goal, with Alex Lee, William Yomby, Conor Shanosky, and Taylor Kemp in front of him. Jason Yeisley and Brian Ownby will start on the wings, with Mike Callahan and Luke Vercollone starting in central midfield. The identity of the front two attackers depends on whether or not Casey Townsend is with the Kickers or D.C. United this weekend. If Townsend is here in Richmond, he will start as the forward with Joseph Ngwenya playing underneath him; if Townsend is with United, then Ngwenya will start as the forward with Joseph Haboush playing underneath.
Prediction: The Rhinos have two losses and a tie so far this year, so the Kickers should be able to start a winning streak. I will go with a 2-0 victory.
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 or crack one open as you watch the stream!
Get in with your pre-game, in-game, and post-game discussion.