Kickers Extend Unbeaten Streak to 5 with Draw at Chattanooga
September 17, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Richmond Kickers News Release
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Richmond Kickers (13-7-6, 45 pts) and Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (10-9-7, 37 pts) battled to their first-ever draw in the all-time series between the two highest-scoring teams in the league as the Kickers capped off their two-match road trip with a 2-2 result. Emiliano Terzaghi opened the scoring with a penalty in the first half before Owayne Gordon smashed in the Kickers’ second of the night in the second half.
The hosts looked to convert on the counter in the first half, and Akira Fitzgerald answered the call, making four saves to shut out the Red Wolves in the first 45 minutes.
The Kickers made their own threats in the hosts’ half and they found the breakthrough In the 43rd minute. Chattanooga’s Rafael Mentzingen fouled Ethan Bryant in the box, and the head official quickly pointed to the spot. Terzaghi stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way as he smashed home his 16th goal of the season and sent the Kickers into the dressing room with a 1-0 lead.
The Kickers kept the momentum from the first goal going as halftime-substitute Gordon came out hot off the bench. In the 51st minute, the ball circulated from the left side to the right side of the 18-yard box as Ethan Vanacore-Decker dribbled the ball over to the top of the box and laid it off to Nil Vinyals. The Spaniard then selflessly passed the ball to the Jamaican forward who took a shot to the far left bottom corner of the net.
Chattanooga found its lifeline in the 69th minute as Ivan Gutíerrez crossed the ball into the Kickers’ box and found Moe Espinoza near the back post. Espinoza redirected the cross with too much pace into the left corner to halve the Kickers’ lead.
Down to 10 men, after Aaron Lombardi received a second yellow card in the 74th minute, The hosts found an equalizer through a set play. After earning a corner kick, Chattanooga played it quickly and Nicolas Cardona’s cross found its way to Timothy Mehl’s head and into the net.
Both teams continued looking for the game-winner and another opportunity presented itself for the Kickers in the 80th minute as Gordon received the ball on the flank and crossed it into the box, but it went just past the reach of a crashing Luke Pavone.
Even with five additional minutes of stoppage, the match ended knotted up as the Kickers earned their first-ever points in Chattanooga and extended their unbeaten streak to five matches.
While the Kickers needed a win in Chattanooga to give them a chance to clinch the first spot in the USL League One playoffs this weekend, they currently sit four points ahead of second-place Union Omaha and 12 points ahead of sixth-place Charlotte Independence who currently sits on the right side of the cutoff line.
Updated playoff scenarios will be published next week with the Kickers likely having the opportunity to clinch a spot next Saturday at home.
The Kickers are back at home next Saturday, September 24 to host Central Valley Fuego FC during Hispanic Heritage Night. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets.
Stay up to date with the latest news from the Kickers at RichmondKickers.com and on the official team app.
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