:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35521432/20140618_jla_sb4_313.jpg.0.jpg)
After a frustrating draw last week against the Real Salt Lake Reserves, the Richmond Kickers are back in action this evening, welcoming the Sacramento Republic to Richmond for the very first time. The Republic have been drawing massive amounts of fans, and they are currently in fourth place in the standings so they will be a very good test for this Kickers team.
Kickoff: 7:00 PM EDT
Venue: City Stadium, Richmond, Va.
Streaming: As with all USL PRO games this season, you can find them streaming live on YouTube.
D.C. United players in attendance: I can confirm that Joe Willis, Christiano Francois, and Conor Shanosky will all be in Richmond tonight, as they practiced with the team on Friday and were in training pictures on Facebook. However, sometimes players will be sent to Richmond on Saturday and we won't know until the day of the game if they are there. So, for example, you would think that some of the players who are not currently making D.C. United's bench and who are already registered with the Kickers, like Alex Caskey, Michael Seaton, and Kyle Porter, would get minutes with them so that they can stay fresh; however, I have no idea if any of them will actually be there tonight.
Projected starting XI: Joe Willis will be in goal, with Alex Lee, William Yomby, Conor Shanosky, and Sascha Goerres in front of him. Samuel Asante and Luke Vercollone will be in defensive midfield, with Jason Yeisley, George Davis IV, and Shay Spitz in attacking midfield. Matthew Delicate will start as the target striker, unless Seaton makes the trip to RVA.
Prediction: Richmond has only lost once this season, and I don't think their second is today, at home. I will predict a 2-1 victory for the Kickers.
What are you drinking? I have been going to Richmond's Strangeways Brewery a fair amount recently, so probably one of their selections for after the game.
As always, this is your place for pre-game, in-game, and post-game chat.