Courtesy of Suz Kitsteiner
In the first half, the Kickers game plan was being executed to perfection with the attack producing a goal just 14 minutes into the match. Brian Ownby showed his acceleration and pace to latch onto a long ball from William Yomby to provide a tasty opener. The Houston Dynamo loanee showed real composure to provide the gentle touch necessary to clear the charging Charlotte keeper, Eric Reed. The goal was the product of the fluid attack displayed by Leigh Cowlishaw with the front three attackers rotating up front. Brian Ownby and Casey Townsend had really been involved in good play on the left and right which had given the Charlotte defense a problem tracking the pair. This opened the door for the Yomby ball over the top for the first goal of the match as Charlotte lost track of Ownby running through on goal.
By halftime, the Kickers had increased their lead to a well deserved 2-0 margin through a 34th minute goal by Stanley Nyazamba. The goal was assisted by Brian Ownby, who was again a major impact for Richmond on the night. Casey Townsend did not reach the scoresheet but really demonstrated tremendous movement and technical ability on several occasions in the first half, characteristics he has demonstrated in every appearance.
Having failed to make an impact in the first half, Charlotte made two changes at the half that altered the landscape of the match. The Eagles brought on Drew Yates and Stefan Smith who would both go on to score to equalize the clubs talley to a pair of goals each. Smith’s goal in the 79th minute was followed by a sarcastic run to the corner flag to celebrate in front of the Kickers supporters. As the 90 minute mark approached, the Kickers conceded a third goal and seemed to be headed for their first defeat of the season.
Despite being over run by Charlotte in the second half due to fatigue from a match the night before, Richmond seemed determined to save a point from the night. In added time, Richmond rushed every throw in, and every free kick which helped insure that they would maximize the three added minutes and it paid off. The ball was cleared by Charlotte out of their end when Taylor Kemp took his time to deliver a fantastic ball to the far post. The ball was headed across goal and found its way to Conor Shanosky who was quick to the ball and put it in the roof of the net to equalize. An assist was credited to Michael Seaton, a 17 year old DC United loanee. Seaton had quite the weekend having scored in his professional debut the night before and helping assist the last second equalizer in his second appearance. The goal was the last kick of the game. As the final whistle blew, a few Kickers supporters could be heard taunting Stefan Smith in the corner where Smith had celebrated his equalizer for Charlotte, which he acknowledged with a waive.
When all was said and done, the match was a fantastic affair. The game was open with both teams having given their all. In the second half there were 19 shots alone as both clubs were fighting for the points. The USL showed exactly how high of a quality product they have that night. The soccer was really entertaining and proved to be a fantastic commercial for American club soccer.
With DC United struggling to score in the MLS, the club will surely take note of the contributions of all of their loanee’s in Richmond. Shanosky, Townsend, Seaton and Kemp have all been involved in goals over the past several weeks.
