2022 Richmond Kickers season

Not to be confused with 2022 Richmond Football Club season.

Richmond Kickers
2022 season
Owner22 Holdings, LLC
Head coachDarren Sawatzky
StadiumCity Stadium
USL League One1st
USL1 PlayoffsSemifinalist
U.S. Open CupFourth round
Top goalscorerLeague: Terzaghi (18)
All: Terzaghi (19)
Highest home attendance6,000 vs. GVL
(October 15)
Lowest home attendance2,011 vs. CHA
(April 9)
Average home league attendance3,173
Biggest win4–0 vs. TUC
(April 2)
Biggest defeat1–5 vs. CLT
(May 11, USOC)
← 2021
2023 →

The 2022 Richmond Kickers season was the club's 30th season of existence, their fourth season in USL League One, and their 18th season in the third tier of American soccer. The Kickers were led by third-year head coach, Darren Sawatzky. The USL League One season started on April 2 and concluded on October 15, 2022.

The Kickers had their strongest regular season showing since 2013, winning the USL League One regular season title. The Kickers finished the season with 51 total points, five clear of second place, with 14 wins, seven losses, and nine draws. Striker, Emiliano Terzaghi, for the third season, led the Kickers and USL League One in goals with 18 goals.

Outside of USL League One, the Kickers participated in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, and the 2022 USL League One Playoffs, for their first-place finish during the regular season. The Kickers reached the fourth round of the Open Cup, before losing to Major League Soccer expansion side, Charlotte FC. The Kickers will begin the Playoffs in the semifinal round on October 29.

Background

Further information: 2021 Richmond Kickers season

The Kickers began the 2021 season in April due to the ongoing issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the regular season had the Kickers routinely along the playoff line, before a six-match winning streak in September saw the club finish in fifth place, and qualify for the USL Playoffs, marking the first time since 2016 the Kickers qualified for the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Kickers were eliminated by FC Tucson in the opening round.

Striker Emiliano Terzaghi was the league's top scorer, scoring 18 goals.

Transfers

Transfers in

Date Position No. Name From Fee/notes Ref.
December 14, 2021 MF 8 United States Ethan Bryant United States San Antonio FC Loan option exercised [1]
December 16, 2021 FW 9 England Matt Bentley England Leatherhead Free [2]
January 20, 2022 DF 22 United States Stephen Payne Portugal Vilaverdense Free [3]
January 25, 2022 DF 5 United States Stuart Ritchie Germany Hannover 96 Free [4]
February 3, 2022 MF 11 Argentina Leonardo Baima Argentina Central Norte Free [5]
February 8, 2022 MF 27 England Chandler O'Dwyer United States Christian Brothers Buccaneers Free [6]
February 9, 2022 MF 99 Colombia Vincenzo Candela United States Tormenta Free [7]
February 10, 2022 DF 2 United States Dakota Barnathan United States FC Tucson Free [8]
February 15, 2022 MF 20 El Salvador Christian Molina United States Union Omaha Free [9]
February 17, 2022 GK 29 United States Eli Mumford United States Richmond Kickers Academy Academy contract [10]
February 22, 2022 MF 4 United States Simon Fitch United States VCU Rams Free [11]
March 31, 2022 FW 23 United States David Olsen United States Tacoma Defiance Free [12]

Transfers out

Date Position No. Name To Fee/notes Ref.
Date Position No. Name Loan to Until Ref.
April 1, 2022 GK 31 United States Eli Mumford United States Grove Soccer United End of season [13]

Non-competitive

Preseason exhibitions

February 12 Loudoun United 1–2 Richmond Kickers Leesburg, VA
14:00 EDT Liadi 66' Report Terzaghi 34'
Bentley 61'		 Stadium: Segra Field
Attendance: 0
February 19 Richmond Kickers 1–1 Chowan Hawks Wyndham, VA
14:00 EST Stadium: Striker Soccer Complex
February 24 High Point Panthers 1–1 Richmond Kickers High Point, NC
12:00 EST Stadium: Vert Stadium
Attendance: 192
February 26 Richmond Kickers 0–0 Loudoun United Wyndham, VA
14:00 EST Stadium: Striker Soccer Complex
Attendance: 0
March 2 Charleston Battery 1–1 Richmond Kickers Buies Creek, NC
12:00 EST Williams 24' Report Terzaghi 64' Stadium: Eakes Athletics Complex
Attendance: 135
March 5 UNCG Spartans 2–2 Richmond Kickers Greensboro, NC
13:00 EST Stadium: UNCG Soccer Stadium
March 9 Richmond Kickers 2–1 William & Mary Tribe Richmond, VA
13:00 EST Bolduc 26', 63' Report Nwegbo 8' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 352
March 18 Richmond Kickers 1–1 VCU Rams Richmond, VA
14:00 EDT Barnathan 32' Report McGann 56' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 492
March 26 Richmond Kickers 3–1 James Madison Dukes Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Crisler 23'
Bentley 75'
Terzaghi 86'		 Report Erhardt 64' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 0

Competitive

USL League One

Main article: 2022 USL League One season

Standings

Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Richmond Kickers (X) 30 14 7 9 54 35 +19 51 Qualification for the semi-finals
2 Greenville Triumph SC 30 12 8 10 40 38 +2 46
3 Tormenta FC (C) 30 12 9 9 42 40 +2 45 Qualification for the play-offs
4 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 30 12 11 7 52 39 +13 43
5 Union Omaha 30 10 7 13 34 33 +1 43
Source: USL League One
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 6) disciplinary points; 7) drawing of lots.
(C) Champions; (X) Regular Season Champion

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
2 1 1 0 5 1  +4 4 1 1 0 5 1  +4 0 0 0 0 0  0

Last updated: April 10, 2022.
Source: USL League One

Results by matchday

Game Week12345
StadiumHHAAH
ResultWDLWL
Position11326
Updated to match(es) played on April 2022. Source: USL League One
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed
Notes: Positions show the situation at the end of the corresponding Game Weeks (GW); not the position at the conclusion of matches or game days

Match results

April 2 1 Richmond Kickers 4–0 FC Tucson Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Terzaghi 18'
Aune Yellow card 23'
Vinyals 34', 60' Yellow card 58'
Payne Yellow card 55'
Barnathan Yellow card 68'
Bentley 81'
Olsen Yellow card 90+2'		 Report Sunday Yellow card 21'
Allen Yellow card 66'
Moss Red card 85'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 4,054
Referee: Danielle Chesky
April 9 2 Richmond Kickers 1–1 Northern Colorado Hailstorm Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Morán Yellow card 11'
Aune Yellow card 51'
Terzaghi 55' Yellow card 78'
Bolduc Yellow card 62'		 Report Damm Yellow card 16'
Folla Yellow card 23'
Vanacore-Decker 37'
Zayed Yellow card 45'
Ulysse Yellow card 59'
Desdunes Yellow card 88'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,771
Referee: Matt Franz
April 16 3 Chattanooga Red Wolves 1–0 Richmond Kickers Chattanooga, TN
19:00 EDT Capozucchi Yellow card 26'
Espinoza 50', Yellow card 75'
Avilez Yellow card 83'
Hernández Yellow card 90+6'		 Report Morán Yellow card 84'
Aune Yellow card 90+1'
Terzaghi Yellow card 90+5'		 Stadium: CHI Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 2,236
Referee: Joshua Belk
April 24 4 Charlotte Independence 1–2 Richmond Kickers Charlotte, NC
16:00 EDT Dutey 37'
Talboys Yellow card 62'
Mbuyu Red card 69'		 Report Terzaghi 6' Yellow card 52'
Baima Yellow card 23'
Bentley 55'
Cole Yellow card 71'		 Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 2,247
Referee: Alex Billeter
May 7 5 Richmond Kickers 0–1 Forward Madison Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Terzaghi Yellow card 33'
Crisler Yellow card 36'
Vinyals Yellow card 45+2'
Aune Yellow card 63'		 Report Cassini Yellow card 9'
Jones Yellow card 14'
Murillo Yellow card 19'
Osmond Yellow card 53'
Crisler 67' (o.g.)
Breno Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,135
Referee: Nickrod Fateh
May 14 6 Richmond Kickers 1–1 Union Omaha Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Terzaghi Yellow card 37'
Gordon 41'
Ritchie Yellow card 45+6'
Barnathan Yellow card 59'
Morán Yellow card 69'
Payne Yellow card 86'		 Report Meza 26'
Touche Yellow card 62'
Bawa Yellow card 75'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,579
Referee: Ben Meyer
May 28 8 North Carolina FC 2–1 Richmond Kickers Cary, NC
19:00 EDT McLaughlin 36', 42' (pen)
Skelton Yellow card 37'
Fernandes Yellow card 65'		 Report Terzaghi 13'
Bentley Yellow card 28'
Aune Yellow card 35'
Ritchie Yellow card 64'		 Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 1,128
Referee: Katherine McCormick
June 1 9 Richmond Kickers 3–0 Chattanooga Red Wolves Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Candela Yellow card 17'
Aune 35'
Crisler 38'
Baima 45+2', Yellow card 80'
Morán Yellow card 58'		 Report Bement Yellow card 8'
Benton Yellow card 31'
Cardona Yellow card 77'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,011
Referee: John Matto
June 4 10 Richmond Kickers 2–2 Tormenta Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Ritchie 27'
Crisler 32'
Payne Yellow card 76'		 Report Sharifi 22'
Thorn Yellow card 30'
Billhardt 64'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,201
Referee: Anya Voigt
June 11 11 Richmond Kickers 4–0 Charlotte Independence Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Bryant 14', 45+4'
Bentley 21', 74'
Fitch Yellow card 38'		 Report Vint Yellow card 44'
Dutey Yellow card 54'
Ciss Yellow card 67'
Rocha Yellow card 68'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,041
Referee: Nicholas Karnovsky
June 18 12 Richmond Kickers 3–2 Northern Colorado Hailstorm Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Vinyals Yellow card 33', 42'
Bentley Yellow card 43'
Terzaghi 45+2'
Bolanos 76'
Fitzgerald Yellow card 90+4'		 Report Vanacore-Decker Yellow card 25'
Norman Yellow card 27' Yellow-red card 29'
Cornwall Yellow card 52', 68'
Folla Yellow card 74', 88'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,099
Referee: Amiel Aleman
June 23 13 Forward Madison 2–1 Richmond Kickers Madison, WI
20:00 EDT Thiam Yellow card 35'
Streng 79'
Cassini 82', Yellow card 83'
Dean Yellow card 89'		 Report Crisler Yellow card 36'
Vinyals 45+3'
Gordon Yellow card 65'
Ritchie Yellow card 76'
Bentley Yellow card 77'
Morán Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: Breese Stevens Field
Attendance: 4,082
Referee: Brian Wood
June 29 7 FC Tucson 0–1 Richmond Kickers Tucson, AZ
22:00 EDT Weir Yellow card 45+2' Report Terzaghi Yellow card 25'
Bolanos 60'		 Stadium: Kino North Stadium
Attendance: 1,688
Referee: Cristian Campo Hernández
Note: Match rescheduled from May 20 due to multiple COVID positives in the Kickers' organization.[14]
July 2 14 Richmond Kickers 4–1 North Carolina FC Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Bentley Yellow card 25'
Payne Yellow card 38'
Terzaghi 59', 79'
Bolanos 63', Yellow card 64'
Gordon 75'		 Report Young Yellow card 33'
Anderson 41', Yellow card 42'
Sommersall Yellow card 65'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 4,702
Referee: Thomas Snyder
July 8 15 Charlotte Independence 1–1 Richmond Kickers Charlotte, NC
19:00 EDT Mbuyu Yellow card 18'
Amaya Yellow card 58'
Ibarra 65' (pen.)
Rocha Yellow card 88'		 Report Candela Yellow card 43'
Bolanos Yellow card 56'
Gordon 68'		 Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 1,544
Referee: Kevin Broadley
July 16 16 Richmond Kickers 1–3 Greenville Triumph Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Gordon Yellow card 42'
Bryant Yellow card 52'
Ritchie Yellow card 61'
Bentley 72'
Barnathan Yellow card 87'
Pavone Red card 90+4'		 Report Labovitz 23', 36', 89'
Smart Yellow card 69'
Gavilanes Yellow card 75'
Pilato Yellow card 82'
Fenton Yellow card 85'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 4,143
Referee: Nickrod Fateh
July 23 17 Central Valley Fuego 3–1 Richmond Kickers Fresno, CA
22:00 EDT Falck 16', 35'
Hornsby Yellow card 45'
Partida Yellow card 53'
Cerritos 58'
Strong Yellow card 63'		 Report Payne Yellow card 15' Yellow-red card 19'
Barnathan 45', Yellow card 76'
Aune Red card 48'
Fitzgerald Yellow card 56'
Candela Yellow card 90+3'		 Stadium: Fresno State Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 1,345
Referee: Adrian Gonzalez
July 27 18 North Carolina FC 2–3 Richmond Kickers Cary, NC
19:00 EDT Adams 26'
Flick 78'		 Report Molina 59' (o.g.)
Terzaghi 90+1'
Barnathan 90+5'		 Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 1,109
Referee: Josiah Parke
August 2 19 Northern Colorado Hailstorm 0–1 Richmond Kickers Windsor, CO
21:00 EDT Damm Yellow card 28'
Rogers Yellow card 39'
Nortey Yellow card 63'		 Report Terzaghi 32', Yellow card 47'
Vinyals Yellow card 85'
Fitzgerald Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: Future Legends Complex
Attendance: 4,759
Referee: Kevin Fikar
August 6 20 Richmond Kickers 3–1 FC Tucson Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Morán Yellow card 26'
Vanacore-Decker 45'
Terzaghi 56', 64'		 Report Machell Yellow card 20'
Calixtro 28'
Garcia Red card 76'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,170
Referee: John Matto
August 13 21 Greenville Triumph 1–0 Richmond Kickers Greenville, SC
19:00 EDT Brown 90'
Polak Yellow card 90+6'		 Report Terzaghi Yellow card 90+3' Stadium: Legacy Early College Field
Attendance: 2,924
Referee: Kyle Johnston
August 20 22 Central Valley Fuego 2–2 Richmond Kickers Fresno, CA
19:00 EDT Falck 24' Yellow card 32'
Smith Yellow card 36'
Villarreal Yellow card 57'
North Yellow card 60'
Schenfeld 67'		 Report Bolanos Yellow card 38'
Aune Yellow card 57'
Terzaghi 70' (pen.)
Bentley 90+3'		 Stadium: Fresno State Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 1,193
Referee: Robert Vincze
August 27 23 Richmond Kickers 3–0 Union Omaha Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Bolanos 20'
Payne Yellow card 45+12'
Vanacore-Decker Yellow card 66'
Terzaghi 70', 76'		 Report Jiba Yellow card 69'
Meza Yellow card 72'
Doyle Yellow card 72'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 4,886
Referee: Matthew Franz
September 7 24 Richmond Kickers 3–1 Tormenta Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Terzaghi Yellow card 21', 55'
Morán Yellow card 68'
Bolanos 72', 90+4'
Aune Yellow card 78'
Candela Yellow card 90+3'		 RIC Report
Soccerway Rpt		 Billhardt soccer ball with check mark 10'
Dengler Yellow card 23'
Nembhard Yellow card 23'
Phelps Yellow card 34'
Adeniyi Yellow card 82'
Bush Yellow card 90+5'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Referee: Katherine McCormick
September 14 25 Union Omaha 2–3 Richmond Kickers Papillion, NE
19:00 EDT Scearce soccer ball with check mark 49', 81'
Gil Yellow card 77'
Touche Yellow card 90+5'
Doyle Yellow card 90+7'		 Report Vanacore-Decker 78'
Gordon Yellow card 80'
Payne 89'
Vinyals soccer ball with check mark 90+7'		 Stadium: Werner Park
Attendance: 2,610
Referee: Gerald Flores
September 17 26 Chattanooga Red Wolves 2–2 Richmond Kickers Chattanooga, TN
19:00 EDT Tejera Yellow card 35'
Lombardi Yellow card 49' Yellow-red card 74'
Navarro Yellow card 68'
Espinoza 69'
Mehl 78', Yellow card 84'
Galindrez Yellow card 90+3'		 Report Bolanos Yellow card 31'
Ritchie Yellow card 37'
Terzaghi soccer ball with check mark 43'
Gordon 51'		 Stadium: CHI Memorial Stadium
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
September 24 27 Richmond Kickers 1–1 Central Valley Fuego Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Bryant 36'
Bolanos Yellow card 58'
Crisler Yellow card 75'		 Report Ramos Yellow card 31'
Schenfeld Yellow card 43'
Bijev Yellow card 55'
Crisler 69' (o.g.)
S. Chavez Yellow card 74' Yellow-red card 80'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
October 2 28 Tormenta 1–1 Richmond Kickers Statesboro, GA
19:00 EDT Adeniyi 41', Yellow card 67'
Otieno Yellow card 62'		 Report Terzaghi Yellow card 45+1'
Aune 90+1'
Barnathan Yellow card 90+2'		 Stadium: Optim Health System Field
Referee: Alefo Calume
October 8 29 Forward Madison 0–1 Richmond Kickers Madison, WI
19:00 EDT Report Gordon 35'
Fitch Yellow card 87'		 Stadium: Breese Stevens Field
Attendance: 4,492
Referee: Luis Arroyo
October 15 30 Richmond Kickers 1–1 Greenville Triumph Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT Terzaghi 21'
Pavone Yellow card 79'		 Report Coutinho Yellow card 19'
Cox-Ashwood 87'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Mathew Corrigan

USL1 Playoffs

Main article: 2022 USL League One season § Playoffs
October 29 Semi Finals Richmond Kickers 0–1 Chattanooga Red Wolves Richmond, VA
18:00 EDT Fitch Yellow card 33'
Crisler Yellow card 36'
Morán Yellow card 38'		 Report Villalobos Yellow card 17'
Mehl Yellow card 22'
Texeira Red card 39'
Mentzingen 86', Yellow card 87'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,526
Referee: Brad Jensen

U.S. Open Cup

Main article: 2022 U.S. Open Cup
April 6 Second round Northern Virginia FC (USL2) Virginia 0–1 Virginia Richmond Kickers (USL1) Leesburg, VA
20:00 EDT Laghjibi Yellow card 40'
Campbell Yellow card 45'		 Report Olsen 34'
Terzaghi Yellow card 80'		 Stadium: Virginia Revolution Sportsplex
Attendance: 575
Referee: Nicholas Karnovsky
April 20 Third round Richmond Kickers (USL1) Virginia 1–0 (a.e.t.) North Carolina North Carolina Fusion U23 (USL2) Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Aune Yellow card 24'
Olsen Yellow card 37'
Candela Yellow card 44'
Morán Yellow card 48'
Bryant Yellow card 67'
Terzaghi 118'		 Report Marriott Yellow card 5'
Almubaslat Yellow card 58'
DiLuzio Yellow card 116'
João Silva Yellow card 118'
Campo Red card 120+1'
Tonon Yellow card 120+3'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,219
Referee: Danielle Chesky
May 11 Fourth round Richmond Kickers (USL1) Virginia 1–5 North Carolina Charlotte FC (MLS) Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Morán 53' Report Sobociński Yellow card 4'
Ríos 34'
Reyna 54'
Gaines 58', 61'
Shinyashiki 86'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 4,621
Referee: Luis Arroyo

References

  1. ^ "Kickers Bring Aboard Ethan Bryant After Successful Loan Stint". USL League One. December 14, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "Matt Bentley Joins the Richmond Forward Line". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  3. ^ USLLeagueOne com Staff (January 20, 2022). "Stephen Payne Brings European Experience to Richmond's Backline". USL League One. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  4. ^ "Former US Youth National Team Player Stuart Ritchie Joins The Richmond Backline". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  5. ^ "Argentine Midfielder Leonardo Baima Set To Create For Richmond". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Dynamic Midfielder Chandler O'Dwyer Signs First Professional Contract With Richmond". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  7. ^ "USL Veteran Vincenzo Candela Brings Experience to the Kickers' Engine Room". OurSports Central. February 9, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  8. ^ "Former VCU Standout and USL Veteran Dakota Barnathan Joins the Richmond Defense". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  9. ^ USLLeagueOne com Staff (February 15, 2022). "Christian Molina Joins the Richmond Kickers". USL League One. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  10. ^ USLLeagueOne com Staff (February 17, 2022). "Kickers Sign Goalkeeper Eli Mumford to Academy Contract". USL League One. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  11. ^ "Homegrown Richmond Talent Simon Fitch Returns to the Kickers". OurSports Central. February 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  12. ^ Heintschel, Nathan. "David Olsen Brings More Goal-Scoring Prowess To Richmond's Front Line". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  13. ^ Heintschel, Nathan (February 2, 2023). "Kickers Announce 4 Academy Signings for the 2023 Season". richmondkickers.com. Retrieved February 28, 2023. Mumford joins for a second season with the Kickers after spending the entire 2022 season working with the team and goalkeeping coach Akira Fitzgerald. While not appearing in a USL League One match last season, Mumford played between the pipes on loan at NPSL side Grove Soccer United which also played its home matches at City Stadium.
  14. ^ "FC Tucson vs. Richmond Kickers Rescheduled". USL. May 24, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.