:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35535062/140712_SR-RK_0054_Porter.0.JPG)
The Richmond Kickers won their inaugural meeting with Sacramento Republic FC, winning 2-1 off of two Matthew Delicate 2nd-half goals. Sacramento made things very difficult for Richmond in the first half, using their combination of strength and size to dominate the midfield. In the second half, Richmond made the changes necessary to open up the game and get the result.
Most of the D.C. United players had a rough night, starting with Conor Shanosky, who was directly responsible for Sacramento's goal. Both Adam Jahn and Justin Braun were physical stronger than Shanosky, and used that strenght to win balls over him most of the night. For the goal, he headed a cross right into the path of Jahn, who had any easy shot to put past Joe Willis.
Michael Seaton and Kyle Porter were both mostly anonymous, which makes sense seeing they haven't trained with the Kickers in over a month. Seaton was stranded up top alone, and when balls did come to him he was usually unable to knock them down and control them. Both he and Porter were also unable to find any space in the midfield to operate, with Sacramento's midfield making things difficult. Willis himself had a fairly decent night, making all of the save required of him, though none were spectacular.
The game changed when Leigh Cowlishaw brought on Matthew Delicate and Jason Yeisley; within minutes, they combined to score the Kickers first goal and level the tally at one. Yeisley headed along a pass directly into the path of Matthew Delicate, who timed his run perfectly and had a one-on-one with the keeper. The Kickers' all-time leading scorer didn't miss, placing it low and hard. Delicate's second goal was even better, starting with a long Alex Lee cross to George Davis IV. Davis IV was able to get to the end line and put it across the face of goal towards Delicate, who was coming back towards Davis IV. Delicate clipped the ball with the outside of his foot, beating Portland Timbers loanee Jake Gleeson at his near post. While there was a flurry of activity at the end of the game, no one seriously threatened Joe Willis' goal.
With the win, the Kickers move to 35 points from 18 games. They are next in action July 19 at City Stadium, when they welcome their old rivals Charleston Battery to town.