New signings for Richmond Kickers coming

By Jimmy LaRoue

The names haven’t been unveiled, but Richmond Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw, who hinted after his team’s opening 0-0 tie with Pittsburgh last Saturday of a couple of player signings, has apparently made the move (Stay tuned for the signings as they are officially announced).

Per Cowlishaw’s Facebook feed, he said the club had signed two more players–a player with local ties and one with MLS experience.

He said he also expected Houston Dynamo loanee Brian Ownby to be available this week, and expected the same with Colombian Juan Arbelaez. Luke Vercollone, who trained with the Colorado Rapids during the offseason, was expected to rejoin the Kickers this week, while Matthew Delicate, who would also provide some attacking help, is still a few weeks off and hasn’t yet signed with the team, though he was on the sidelines in street clothes last Saturday.

It isn’t known at this point whether either Vercollone or Delicate would be one of the potential signings, though Cowlishaw said after Saturday’s draw that he expected Vercollone to be with the team this week.

Kickers veteran on USL Pro team of the week

Central defender Yomby William, anchoring the Kickers’ defense, was named to the team of the week, while Nate Robinson, who impressed the team during its most recent tryout and signed just last Friday, along with Andrew Dykstra, on loan from D.C. United, was an honorable mention pick.

Former D.C. United forward Long Tan, now with potent Orlando City, was also put on the team of the week after his goal and assist in a reserve role during the club’s 3-1 win against Phoenix FC.

USL Pro’s weekly honors

Orlando City’s Kevin Molino, USL Pro’s 2012 player of the year, earned player of the week honors after his goal and assist in the opener, setting up Tan’s goal and scoring himself with more interplay with Tan.

VSI Tampa Bay FC’s Mauricio Salles, who had a goal and a pair of strong performances as his side took its first win in franchise history, Antonio Neto, who scored the game-winner, and first goal in club history in a 1-0 win against the LA Blues this last Tuesday and Kyle Hoffer, were also named.

Pittsburgh’s Ryan Kinne was also named in the midfield after a strong performance that saw him almost steal a victory on the road against Richmond, as one of his seven shots was the closest either side came to a goal as it rang off the crossbar.

Kinne was joined by his teammates Hunter Gilstrap, who made four saves in recording a shutout against the Kickers, and center back Andrew Marshall, whose debut for the Riverhounds was an impressive one.

Tonight, Orlando City takes on the LA Blues at 8 p.m. ET at Titan Stadium. Saturday has four more matches on the schedule, with Charlotte hosting Antigua in both teams’ season-opener, and Charleston beginning the defense of its title in Richmond.

Also on Saturday night, VSI Tampa Bay FC hosts its inaugural home opener as it takes on the Rochester Rhinos at Plant City Stadium, while Pittsburgh plays its first-ever match at Highmark Stadium, the club’s new soccer-specific-stadium, against the Harrisburg City Islanders.

On Sunday, Rochester plays in the second game of its two-game Florida swing, visiting Orlando City, while Phoenix FC hosts LA.

All games are on USLNation.com.

USL PRO Team of the Week

Pos	Player	Team	Highlights
GK	Hunter Gilstrap	Pittsburgh	Four-save shutout helped earn point on the road
D	William Yomby	Richmond	Held Riverhounds’ attack in check in scoreless draw
D	Kyle Hoffer	Tampa Bay	Strong aerial performance helped VSI shut out LA
D	Andrew Marshall	Pittsburgh	Impressed on his debut, making key clearances throughout
D	Cory Miller	Los Angeles	Solid defensively, and also threatened from set pieces
M	Antonio Neto	Tampa Bay	Scored first goal in club history to earn win against LA
M	Kevin Molino	Orlando	Had goal and assist as Lions rallied to take victory
M	Ryan Kinne	Pittsburgh	Had seven shots, including one off crossbar, on debut
F	Diego Faria	Phoenix	Pressed well throughout, was rewarded with goal
F	Mauricio Salles	Tampa Bay	Influential in win vs. LA, added goal against Timbers Reserves
F	Long Tan	Orlando	Scored game-winning goal, added assists, for Lions

Honorable Mention – Los Angeles: Allan Russell; Orlando: Dom Dwyer, Jamie Watson; Pittsburgh: Mike Seth, Seth C’deBaca; Phoenix: Renan Bonfleur; Richmond: Andrew Dkystra, Nate Robinson; Tampa Bay: Douglas Dos Santos, JT Noone.