Richmond United adds two coaches to Development Academy staff

RICHMOND, Va. (Via Richmond United) — Richmond United has announced the addition of Stephan Rigaud, who has been named head coach of the U-17 and U-19 U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams.

A native of New York, Rigaud holds the prestigious USSF A-Youth License and brings extensive Academy and collegiate experience to Richmond. Most recently, he acted as associate head coach for the BW Gottschee Development Academy U19 team that finished fourth in the Northeast Conference behind three Major League Soccer Academies. An integral member of the Gottschee Academy since 2014, he was Assistant Coach for the 2015-16 U18 team that finished the regular season with a record of 24-1-1.

Rigaud also brings collegiate experience to Richmond, having acted as Assistant Coach with Iona College Men’s Soccer in 2017 and Saint John’s University Women’s Soccer in 2015 and 2016, as well as Assistant Coach for the Westchester Flames of the USL Premier Development League.

Richmond United’s staff expansion also includes the addition of former Richmond Kickers professional player Matthew Delicâte, who has been named Assistant Coach of the U12 and U14 US Soccer Development Academy teams.

The most prolific goal scorer in Kickers’ history, Delicâte made 249 appearances over 10 seasons, amassing 113 career goals and 28 career assists over a 13-year professional career. After a three-year stint with the Rochester Rhinos (2006-2008), where he contributed 19 goals and seven assists, the native of Kent, England returned to Richmond in 2009 and led the club to back-to-back Championship appearances. A four-time USL All-League First-Team honoree and 2014 USL Most Valuable Player Finalist, Delicâte also owns the club record for career points (209) in a Kickers uniform.

The 2003 Virginia State and CAA Player of the Year, Delicâte accumulated 44 goals and 13 assists over four seasons at Virginia Commonwealth University. A 2017 VCU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, he contributed 39 points in 2003, ranking third in school single-season history and he is the first player to reach the century mark in career points (101).

Delicâte has coached with the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club since 2009 and currently holds a US Soccer A License. He is also the owner of Cinesports, a sports filming company that provides advanced sports recording technology.

Both Rigaud and Delicâte will join Richmond United effectively immediately as the club begins preparing for the 2018-19 Academy season on August 6.