May 7, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Richmond Kickers News Release
Richmond Kickers celebrate 30 seasons of soccer
(Richmond Kickers)
RICHMOND, Va. – – The Richmond Kickers’ (2-2-1, 7 pts) unbeaten streak at City Stadium ended at 16 games after rivals Forward Madison FC (1-1-3, 6 pts) earned a 1-0 victory against the run of play on a wet and physical night.
The match, like every Henny Derby since the rivalry began in 2019, started physical and persisted throughout the night. The Kickers enjoyed the lion’s share of possession while pressuring Madison’s defensive third. The visitors racked up three yellow cards in the opening 19 minutes trying to slow down Richmond.
Emiliano Terzaghi delivered the best chance of the first half at the 28-minute mark. On the break, Terzaghi played a one-two to Nil Vinyals before the Spaniard released Terzaghi with a through ball. One-on-one with the keeper, Terzaghi laced a right-footed shot across his body as the ball skipped over the wet grass towards the inside of the left post. Madison’s keeper made a diving save to deflect the ball off target and deny the league’s reigning MVP.
While the first 45 minutes ended knotted up at 0-0, the Kickers dominated 61 percent of the possession while taking seven shots to Madison’s two.
As the dreary mist turned to blustery rain, the match became increasingly chippier as the conditions worsened. The Kickers continued to own possession and push towards a go-ahead goal and would finish the match with 18 shots on goal to Madison’s six along with 14 corners to Madison’s one.
However, in the 67th minute, the visitors found an unlikely breakthrough goal. Rojay Smith dribbled the ball precariously down the left sideline before crossing the ball to second-half substitute, Justin Sukow. Sukow cut the ball back to his left foot and hit the ball into the center of the box as Jalen Crisler adjusted to defend the play. The defender turned to open his stance and deflect the ball out of the danger…