The Richmond Kickers (10-6-5) recorded a 1-0 win over the Rochester Rhinos (8-5-8) on Wednesday night. The Kickers have now won five consecutive games thanks to a second half goal by Yudai Imura.
The Richmond Kickers (10-6-5) recorded a 1-0 win over the Rochester Rhinos (8-5-8) on Wednesday night. The Kickers have now won five consecutive games thanks to a second half goal by Yudai Imura.
After both sides had early chances, the Kickers thought they had the lead in the 17th minute. Sunny Jane broke through the middle of the field, the ball then fell to Samuel Asante, whose shot was initially saved by Adam Grinwis, but Anthony Grant would pounce on the rebound and put the ball in the back of the net, but the assistant referee had deemed him to have been offside.
Sunny Jane came inches wide in the 41st minute. Jane lined up a free kick just outside the box and whipped a left footed ball towards the right corner, that saw Grinwis dive but the ball went just wide of the post.
Early in the second half Rochester had huge chance to take the lead from a penalty kick. Christian Volesky found himself on a break and attempted to flick the ball over Richmond defender, Hugh Roberts, who was penalized for handling the ball. Volesky stepped up to take the penalty, but his shot was saved brilliantly by New England Revolution loanee, Matt Turner.
Matt Turner, again, made a crucial save in the 63rd minute to keep the score level. Rochester forward, Steeven Dos Santos, fired a low shot across the goal, but Turner was able to dive low and collect the ball.
Yudai Imura then scored his eight goal of the season to give Richmond the lead in the 74th minute. Imura was brought down just outside the box and stepped up take the free kick. From the kick, Imura bent the ball over the five man wall of Rochester and into the top right corner past a helpless Grinwis.
In the 90th minute both teams struck the frame of the goal. First, Luiz Fernando was played one on one by Aguilar, but his effort was deflected onto the bar by Grinwis. Immediately after, Volesky found space inside the box for Rochester, and drilled a shot that struck the underside of the crossbar and was cleared by the Kickers defense.
Richmond were able to hold on to the 1-0 win and secure their fifth victory in a row. With that result, the Kickers have now recorded 10 clean sheets this season in the USL.
The Kickers continue their road trip as they travel to Montreal Saturday for a 3pm kickoff. They return back home August 13 as the Kickers host FC Cincinnati at City Stadium at 7pm. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.
