Richmond Kickers
2021 season
Owner22 Holdings, LLC
Head coachDarren Sawatzky
StadiumCity Stadium
USL League One5th
USL1 PlayoffsQuarterfinals
U.S. Open CupDid not qualify
Bon Secours CupWinners
Top goalscorerLeague: Terzaghi (18)
All: Terzaghi (18)
Highest home attendance3,212 (10/26 v. MAD)
Lowest home attendance1,445 (8/14 v. NE)
Average home league attendance2,051
Biggest winNE 0–3 RIC (4/17)
Biggest defeatNC 4–0 RIC (7/21)
← 2020
2022 →

The 2021 Richmond Kickers season was the club's 29th season of existence, their third season in USL League One, and their 17th season in the third tier of American soccer. The Kickers were led by second-year head coach, Darren Sawatzky, and looked to improve on their 4th-place finish in 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated vaccination rollout, the season began on April 17, 2021. The season concluded on October 30, 2021. Due to the pandemic, the U.S. Open Cup was truncated and subsequently canceled due to the pandemic. The Kickers finished the USL League One regular season in 5th place, qualifying them for the USL League One Playoffs, making it their first appearance in the playoffs since 2016. There, the Kickers were eliminated in the first round against FC Tucson.

Background

Further information: 2020 Richmond Kickers season

The 2020 season was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The season, originally slated to begin on March 28, 2020, did not begin until July 25, 2020. The season originally was slated to end on September 30, 2020, but concluded on October 24, 2020. The 28-match season was abbreviated to 16 matches, and the playoffs were reduced from a four-team playoff, to a single game championship. During the truncated season, the Kickers had a good turn of fortune, finishing fourth in the league table, and having a winning a record. It was the Kickers' best regular season performance since 2014. Despite the record, the club on the final day of the season failed to reach the USL Championship Game after losing at home to Chattanooga. Striker, Emiliano Terzaghi, scored 10 goals during the season, which was the best performance by a striker for the Kickers since Yudai Imura in 2016. Terzaghi had a 0.63 goals per game average, which was the best performance by a striker for Richmond since Robert Ssejjemba in 2006.

On October 30, 2020, Matt Spear stepped down as the club's president to focus on family reasons.[1] Spear had been the club's president since 2019.[2][3]

Transfers

Transfers in

Date Position No. Name From Fee/notes Ref.
February 9, 2021 DF 20 Costa Rica Esteban Calvo United States FC Tucson Free [4]
February 11, 2021 MF 10 Spain Nil Vinyals United States Tormenta Free [5]
February 15, 2021 GK 44 United States Austin Aviza United States Orlando City B Free [6]
February 18, 2021 DF 15 United States Jalen Crisler United States Forward Madison Free [7]
February 18, 2021 DF 24 United States Nathan Aune United States Union Omaha Free [7]
February 22, 2021 FW 19 Argentina Hernán González Argentina Juventud Unida Free [8]
February 24, 2021 MF 6 Argentina Zacarías Morán Argentina River Plate Free [9]
March 4, 2021 DF 2 United States Juan Pablo Monticelli United States Orlando City B Free [10]
March 8, 2021 MF 88 United States Cameron Vickers United States FC Motown Free [11]
April 6, 2021 GK 13 United States Austin Causey United States New England Revolution II Free [12]

Transfers out

Date Position No. Name To Fee/notes Ref.
August 6, 2020 DF 5 United States Conor Shanosky Retired Retired
December 31, 2020 DF 12 United States Kyle Venter Retired Retired
December 31, 2020 GK 20 United States Lee Johnston Released
December 31, 2020 MF 21 United States Greg Boehme Released
December 31, 2020 DF 22 United States Hassan Pinto United States Loudoun United Released
December 31, 2020 MF 80 Zambia Mutaya Mwape Released
December 31, 2020 MF 93 Italy Gianluca Cuomo Released
December 31, 2020 GK 94 United States Matt Broomall Northern Ireland Ballymacash Rangers Released
December 31, 2020 MF 98 United States Ryley Kraft Released
December 31, 2020 MF 77 Ghana Charles Boateng Ghana WAFA End of loan
February 11, 2021 DF 18 Ghana Wahab Ackwei United States Loudoun United Free
March 27, 2021 MF 8 Ghana Amass Amankona United States South Bend Lions Released
April 6, 2021 MF 11 Colombia David Diosa United States New Amsterdam Free

Competitive

Exhibitions

March 24, 2021 Preseason Richmond Kickers 5–0 Virginia United FC Richmond, Virginia
Magalhães 10' (Morán)
Bolanos 16' (Pavone)
Terzaghi 19' (pen.)
González 26' (Bolanos)
Falck 38'		 Report Stadium: City Stadium
March 27, 2021 Preseason Philadelphia Union II 0–4 Richmond Kickers Chester, Pennsylvania
Report Bolanos 10'
Monticelli 44' (Morán)
Terzaghi 45+' (Bolanos), Yellow card 51'
Alves 74' (Terzaghi)		 Stadium: Power Training Complex
April 5, 2021 Preseason Richmond Kickers 4–0 North Carolina FC Richmond, Virginia
González 12', 13' (Bolanos)
Monticelli 24'
Magalhães 62' (Vickers)		 Report Stadium: City Stadium
Note: Played in three 30-minute periods.
April 10, 2021 Preseason Richmond Kickers — Loudoun United
Report
Note: Cancelled due to positive COVID-19 test within Loudoun United organization.

USL League One

Main article: 2021 USL League One season

Standings

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
3 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 28 11 11 6 37 29 +8 44 Qualification for the play-offs
4 FC Tucson 28 11 7 10 44 42 +2 40
5 Richmond Kickers 28 11 7 10 35 36 −1 40
6 North Texas SC 28 10 10 8 40 32 +8 40
7 Toronto FC II 28 10 8 10 34 32 +2 38
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.

Results by matchday

Matchday12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
StadiumAHAHHAH
ResultWLLWDLWDDLWDLDWLDWDLLWWWWWLL
Position
Updated to match(es) played on October 25, 2020. Source: USL League One
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Match results

April 17, 2021 1 New England Revolution II 0–3 Richmond Kickers Foxborough, MA
19:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Thomas Snyder
April 24, 2021 2 Richmond Kickers 0–1 Greenville Triumph Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Monticelli Yellow card 28'
González Yellow card 35'
Morán Yellow card 44'
Terzaghi Yellow card 67'		 Report Murillo Yellow card 33' Yellow-red card 40'
Mohamed Yellow card 61'
Pavone 74' (o.g.)
Ibarra Yellow card 88'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,606
Referee: John Griggs
May 2, 2021 3 Fort Lauderdale CF 2–1 Richmond Kickers Fort Lauderdale, FL
19:30 EDT Hundal 20', 83'
Acosta Yellow card 90+2'
Rosales Yellow card 90+7'		 Report Pavone Yellow card 70'
Vinyals 75'		 Stadium: Inter Miami CF Stadium
Referee: Adam Brzozowiec
May 8, 2021 4 Richmond Kickers 2–0 Tormenta Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Crisler Yellow card 33'
Morán Yellow card 78'
Terzaghi 80', 89' (pen.)
Vickers Yellow card 90+8'
Vinyals Yellow card 90+8'		 Report Phelps Yellow card 18'
Eckenrode Yellow card 89'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,789
Referee: Matthew Franz
May 22, 2021 5 Richmond Kickers 0–0 North Carolina FC Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Calvo Yellow card 80' Report Simpson Yellow card 44'
Blanco Flores Yellow card 65'
Kamara Yellow card 90+3'
Coan Yellow card 90+3'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,377
Referee: John Matto
May 29, 2021 6 Chattanooga Red Wolves 2–1 Richmond Kickers Chattanooga, TN
18:30 EST Navarro Yellow card 30'
Capozucchi Yellow card 45'
Ruiz 53', Yellow card 74'
Galindrez 84'		 Report Terzaghi Yellow card 21'
Anderson Yellow card 45+3', 47'
Vinyals Yellow card 59'
Bolduc Yellow card 89'		 Stadium: CHI Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 1,752
Referee: Ben Meyer
June 5, 2021 7 Richmond Kickers 3–2 New England Revolution II Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Bolduc 1'
Crisler Yellow card 36'
Monticelli 40'
Terzaghi 51'
Vinyals Yellow card 83'		 Report N. Buck 30'
Cayet 76'
Michel Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,360
Referee: JC Griggs
June 12, 2021 8 Forward Madison 0–0 Richmond Kickers Madison, WI
20:00 EDT Barriga Toyama Yellow card 53'
Tobin Yellow card 55'
Díaz Yellow card 59'
Gebhard Yellow card 71'		 Report Morán Yellow card 16'
Terzaghi Yellow card 32'
Crisler Yellow card 55'		 Stadium: Breese Stevens Field
Attendance: 2,929
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
June 19, 2021 9 Richmond Kickers 1–1 Union Omaha Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Terzaghi Yellow card 57'
Otieno 76' (o.g.)
Anderson Yellow card 80'		 Report Sousa 31' Yellow card 75'
Vanacore-Decker Yellow card 64'
Otieno Yellow card 73'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,009
Referee: John Matto
June 25, 2021 10 North Carolina FC 2–1 Richmond Kickers Cary, NC
19:00 EDT Flick Yellow card 33' 47'
Kamara 56'
Coan Yellow card 90+3'		 Report Terzaghi 6'
Calvo Yellow card 11' Yellow-red card 59'
Malgahes Yellow card 46'
Crisler Yellow card 65'		 Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 2,367
Referee: Luis Arroyo
July 3, 2021 11 Richmond Kickers 3–2 North Texas SC Richmond, VA
19:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,858
Referee: Nickrod Fateh
July 17, 2021 12 Richmond Kickers 1–1 Fort Lauderdale CF Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Falck Yellow card 86'
Terzaghi 86'		 Report Curry 6'
Taghvai-Najib Yellow card 37'
Penn Yellow card 53'
Poplawski Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,723
Referee: William Steffen
July 21, 2021 13 North Carolina FC 4–0 Richmond Kickers Cary, NC
19:00 EDT Kristo 19', 41'
Coan 48', 90+2'		 Report Morán Yellow card 70'
Magalhães Red card 85'		 Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 2,118
Referee: Emma Richards
July 24, 2021 14 Tormenta 2–2 Richmond Kickers Statesboro, GA
20:00 EDT Micaletto 2' (pen.)
Perez 62'
Liadi Yellow card 75'		 Report Crisler Yellow card 2'
Terzaghi 63'
Calvo Yellow card 66'
Cole Yellow card 79'
Anderson 88'
Morán Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: Eagle Field
Attendance: 1,237
Referee: DeShun Beard
July 31, 2021 15 Richmond Kickers 1–0 FC Tucson Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Terzaghi 19' (pen.)
Alves Yellow card 52'
Magalhães Yellow card 53'
Fitzgerald Yellow card 86'
Pavone Yellow card 90+5'		 Report Bedoya Yellow card 32'
Schenfeld Yellow card 44'
Uzo Yellow card 57'
Ferriol Yellow card 77'
Dennis Yellow card 84'
Corfe Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,691
Referee: Sara Griggs
August 6, 2021 16 Toronto FC II 2–1 Richmond Kickers Toronto, ON
4:00 PM EDT Monticelli 16' (o.g.)
Carlini Yellow card 18', 69'
Campbell Yellow card 53'
Goulbourne Yellow card 88'		 Report Vinyals 25' (pen.)
Falck Yellow card 52'
Aune Yellow card 59'
Monticelli Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: BMO Training Ground
Referee: Scott Bowman
August 14, 2021 17 Richmond Kickers 2–2 New England Revolution II Richmond, VA
6:30 PM EDT Terzaghi 26', Yellow card 35', 53'
Morán Yellow card 38'
Fitzgerald Yellow card 79'
González Yellow card 84'		 Report Presley Yellow card 42'
Michel Yellow card 55'
Verfurth Yellow card 59'
N. Buck 86'
Kizza 87'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,445
Referee: John Matto
August 22, 2021 18 Greenville Triumph 0–2 Richmond Kickers Greenville, SC
7:00 PM EDT Lee Yellow card 68'
Mejia Yellow card 90+1'		 Report Bolanos 46'
Terzaghi Yellow card 55', 81'
Monticelli Yellow card 71'		 Stadium: Legacy Early College Field
Attendance: 2,061
Referee: Izlen Peksenar
August 28, 2021 19 Richmond Kickers 0–0 North Carolina FC Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Calvo Yellow card 43'
Crisler Yellow card 90+3'		 Report Flick Yellow card 27'
Kamara Yellow card 76'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,807
Referee: Austin Saini
September 11, 2021 20 Forward Madison 1–0 Richmond Kickers Madison, WI
8:00 PM EDT Sierakowski 50'
Leonard Yellow card 66'
Gebhard Yellow card 72'		 Report Calvo Yellow card 26'
Vinyals Yellow card 57'
Bolanos Yellow card 80'		 Stadium: Breese Stevens Field
Attendance: 2,744
Referee: Samantha Martinez
September 17, 2021 21 New England Revolution II 3–1 Richmond Kickers Foxborough, MA
7:00 PM EDT Rennicks 33'
Rivera 47'
Rozhansky Yellow card 70'
Rice Yellow card 74'
Bajraktarevic Yellow card 75'
N. Buck 90+2'		 Report Bolanos 3'
Terzaghi Yellow card 36'
Anderson Yellow card 76'
González Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 125
Referee: Kenneth Rojas
September 25, 2021 22 Richmond Kickers 1–0 Toronto FC II Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Vinyals Yellow card 28'
Morán Yellow card 35'
Crisler Yellow card 79'
Terzaghi 90+3'
Anderson Yellow card 90+5'		 Report Antonoglou Yellow card 30'
Petrasso Yellow card 73'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,223
Referee: Danielle Chesky
October 2, 2021 23 Richmond Kickers 1–0 Chattanooga Red Wolves Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Bolanos Yellow card 33'
Magalhães Yellow card 38'
Terzaghi 52'
Vinyals Yellow card 82'
Dubose Yellow card 84'
Pavone Yellow card 90'
Bolduc Yellow card 90+8'		 Report Ramos Yellow card 29' Yellow-red card 85'
Ortiz Yellow card 43'
Pineda Yellow card 45+1'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,868
Referee: Matt Franz
October 6, 2021 24 Richmond Kickers 1–0 Forward Madison Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Terzaghi 8' Yellow card 84'
Bolanos Yellow card 74'		 Report Rad Yellow card 80'
Craig Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,126
Referee: William Steffen
October 10, 2021 25 North Texas SC 1–2 Richmond Kickers Arlington, TX
19:30 EDT Rayo 33'
Lucão Yellow card 64'
Munjoma Yellow card 80'		 Report Calvo Yellow card 47'
Magalhães Yellow card 47', 90+5'
Morán 81'		 Stadium: Choctaw Stadium
Attendance: 622
Referee: Esad Omanovic
October 16, 2021 26 Richmond Kickers 3–2 Forward Madison Richmond, VA
18:30 EDT Cole Yellow card 5', 32'
Terzaghi 45', 88'
Morán Yellow card 45+4'
Monticelli Yellow card 74'		 Report Trimmingham 8'
Sukow Yellow card 14'
Leonard Yellow card 25'
Rad Yellow card 42'
Tobin Yellow card 44'
Calvo 47' (o.g.)
Jepson Yellow card 80'		 Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,212
Referee: John Matto
October 23, 2021 27 Union Omaha 2–0 Richmond Kickers Papillion, NE
19:00 EDT Hurst Yellow card 34' 88'
Otieno 85' Yellow card 90+4'
Sousa Yellow card 90'		 Report Bolduc Yellow card 30'
Bolanos Yellow card 77'
Morán Yellow card 84'		 Stadium: Werner Park
Attendance: 2,943
Referee: Luis Arroyo
October 30, 2021 28 FC Tucson 4–2 Richmond Kickers Tucson, AZ
22:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: Kino North Stadium
Attendance: 1,566
Referee: Joseph Salinas

U.S. Open Cup

Main article: 2021 U.S. Open Cup

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only one team from USL League One (league champions), qualified for the 2021 U.S. Open Cup. However in July 2021, the Open Cup was canceled.

USL-1 Playoffs

November 6, 2021 FC Tucson 1–0 Richmond Kickers Tucson, AZ
7:00 PM MST Corfe 87' Report Stadium: Kino North Stadium
Attendance: 1,793
Referee: Jeremy Scheer

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Numbers after plus–sign (+) denote appearances as a substitute.

No. Pos Nat Player Total USL-1 USL-1 Playoffs U.S. Open Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK Japan JPN Akira Fitzgerald 22 0 22+0 0 0 0 0 0
2 DF United States USA Ian Antley 1 0 1+0 0 0 0 0 0
3 DF United States USA Scott Thomsen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 DF Brazil BRA Ivan Magalhães 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 DF United States USA Conor Shanosky 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 MF United States USA Matt Bolduc 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 MF Ghana GHA Amass Amankona 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 FW Brazil BRA Stanley Alves 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 FW Zambia ZAM Mutaya Mwape 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 MF Colombia COL David Diosa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 DF United States USA Kyle Venter 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 DF United States USA Luke Pavone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 FW Saint Vincent and the Grenadines VIN Oalex Anderson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 MF United States USA Zev Taublieb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
17 MF United States USA Jonathan Bolanos 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 DF Ghana GHA Wahab Ackwei 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20 GK United States USA Lee Johnston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21 MF United States USA Greg Boehme 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 DF United States USA Hassan Pinto 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 DF Sweden SWE Victor Falck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
32 FW Argentina ARG Emiliano Terzaghi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
67 DF United States USA Devante Dubose 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
77 MF Ghana GHA Charles Boateng 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
93 MF Italy ITA Gianluca Cuomo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
94 GK United States USA Matt Broomall 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
98 MF United States USA Ryley Kraft 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Top scorers

Rank Position Number Name USL1 USL1 Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total
1 FW 15 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Oalex Anderson 1 0 0 1
MF 17 United States Jonathan Bolanos 1 0 0 1
DF 2 United States Juan Pablo Monticelli 1 0 0 1

Top assists

Rank Position Number Name USL1 USL1 Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total
1 MF 6 Argentina Hernán González 1 0 0 1

Disciplinary record

No. Pos. Player USL1 USL1 Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card
6 MF Argentina Zacarías Morán 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
17 MF United States Jonathan Bolanos 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Total 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0

References

  1. ^ Wood, Patrick (October 30, 2020). "Spear Steps Down as Kickers Pro President". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  2. ^ Hayes, Ricard (October 30, 2020). "Offseason Changes Begin Early for Richmond as President Matt Spears Steps Down". RVAHub.com. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  3. ^ "Richmond Kickers Pro Soccer President Matt Spear steps down". SoccerWire.com. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  4. ^ Wood, Patrick (February 9, 2021). "Calvo Joins the Kickers for 2021". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  5. ^ Wood, Patrick (February 11, 2021). "Kickers Add Vinyals for 2021". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Wood, Patrick (February 15, 2021). "Richmond Reinforces Goalkeeping with Aviza". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Wood, Patrick (February 18, 2021). "Aune, Crisler Strengthen the Kickers Backline for 2021". Richmond Kickers. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  8. ^ Wood, Patrick (February 22, 2021). "Kickers Add Firepower with Hernan Gonzalez". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  9. ^ "Zaca Morán Bolsters Kickers' Midfield Options". uslleagueone.com. February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Kickers add bite at the back with Monticelli". Richmond Kickers. March 4, 2021.
  11. ^ Wood, Patrick (March 8, 2021). "Vickers Brings Veteran Leadership to Richmond". Richmond Kickers. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  12. ^ "Richmond Adds Goalkeeper Austin Causey". USL League One. April 6, 2021. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
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