December 20, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers announce that Akira Fitzgerald, Kickers’ goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach and one of the most decorated USL League One players in league history, returns to USL Championship club, North Carolina FC.
The 36-year-old leaves Richmond as one of the Kickers’ longest-tenured players after initially signing for the club ahead of the 2019 USL League One season. He now returns to NCFC where he previously kicked off his professional career with the then-Carolina Railhawks, playing there from 2011-2016.
In five seasons, Fitzgerald joined the pantheon of goalkeepers to represent the Kickers’ badge as he won 2021 USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year honors, was named a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year in 2019 and 2022, set the then-single season record for saves in a season (105) in 2022, and became the first player in USL League One history to make 100 regular-season appearances.
On top of his saves record in 2022, Fitzgerald commanded a defense that conceded the second-fewest goals in the league as the team went on to win the 2022 USL League One Players’ Shield for winning the regular season. It was the first time the Kickers had won a regular-season title since 2013.
He started all 123 of his total appearances in USL League One including the 2021 USL League One Playoffs Quarterfinal and the 2022 USL League One Playoffs Semifinal in City Stadium which were the Kickers’ first playoff appearances since 2016 and the Kickers’ first home playoff match since 2014, respectively. He played 11,012 minutes, made 363 saves, held a 1.34 goals against average, and posted 31 clean sheets.
Fitzgerald also assumed the role as the club’s goalkeeping coach ahead of the 2021 season with multiple players developing under his tutelage to make a greater impact in Richmond or elsewhere.
Will Palmquist stepped into a more prominent role between the pipes during the 2023 season, starting 10 of 11 regular-season appearances while maintaining three clean sheets and posting a 72 percent save percentage.
Former Kickers’ keeper Austin Causey earned his professional debut with the Kickers during the 2022 season before signing with fellow USL League One club, Lexington SC, and making multiple starts.
Eli Mumford earned an athletic scholarship in June 2023 to the University of Pittsburgh’s Division I men’s soccer team after developing in Richmond on a USL Academy contract…