December 4, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers announced their initial roster of returning outfield players for the 2024 season, on Monday, including one option exercised as the club prepares for its 32nd consecutive season.
Leading the returnees is three-time USL League One MVP, and three-time USL League One Golden Boot winner, Emiliano Terzaghi. The Argentine led the Kickers with 10 goals in 2023 and became the first player in league history to score double-digit goals in four consecutive seasons – extending his all-time goal-scoring record to 55 total league goals.
Nil Vinyals, Zaca Moran, Nathan Aune, and Chris Cole return for their fourth seasons with the Kickers after all originally joining the club in 2021.
Vinyals put together a career year in 2023 that saw him earn his first All-League First Team honor. The Spaniard finished second in the league with 66 chances created during the regular season while tying for first on the team with four assists and finishing second with six goals scored.
Aune and Moran played the second and third-most league minutes on the team, respectively, while Aune started all 31 of his appearances and Moran started all 30 of his. In central defense, Aune led the team with 121 clearances while winning 72 percent of his aerial duels, 69 percent of his tackles, and 66 percent of his total duels. Moran anchored the midfield, winning the most tackles and interceptions of any non-defender on the team, and he added one assist to his points tally.
Cole started eight of 15 league appearances and registered 956 minutes played. He also started the Kickers’ Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match at MLS side D.C. United when the Kickers nearly forced a result in a closely-contested 1-0 defeat.
Dakota Barnathan and Simon Fitch return for their third seasons with the club after playing major roles on the backline since joining in 2022. Fitch started all 32 of the Kickers’ league matches, racking up 2,838 minutes played which ranked fourth-most amongst USL League One outfield players and sixth-most overall. Barnathan was a fixture in central defense alongside Aune before an injury cut his season short. The VCU alum led the team in interceptions and won 95 percent of his tackles.
João Gomiero returns after a promising first professional season that saw him finish third on the team in goals, assists, and chances created. The midfielder announced himself to the league in May…