ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Richmond Kickers winning streak reached five games as Yudai Imura’s eighth goal of the season earned a 1-0 victory against the Rochester Rhinos on Wednesday night at Rhinos Stadium. Rochester had the first good chance in the 14th minute when Mike Garzi’s header went off the crossbar, while Richmond had a goal ruled out for offside eight minutes later when Anthony Grant followed up a shot from outside the penalty area, only to see the flag raised. The Rhinos had the chance to take the lead 10 minutes into the second half, but Christian Volesky’s penalty kick was saved by Kickers goalkeeper Matt Turner after a handball in the area. The Kickers then took the lead with 15 minutes to go when Imura curled home an outstanding free kick from 22 yards into the top-right corner of the net. The Kickers almost doubled their lead when Fernando hit the crossbar in the final minute, while Volesky also found the woodwork for the Rhinos as the game went into stoppage time, but the Kickers held on to take victory.

Scoring:
75’ – RIC – Yudai Imura

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Richmond extended its winning streak to five games with victory in Rochester, and is now starting to look like the kind of side that claimed the 2013 USL regular season championship. With a visit to Montreal on Saturday afternoon, the chance is there for the Kickers to press on and maybe even have a chance at a top-four finish if they can continue this run of form, which is now their best since the 2011 USL season, when the side opened the season with six consecutive victories.

• 2. With both teams sporting solid defenses, it was likely going to need something special to break the deadlock on Wednesday night, and Yudai Imura’s dazzling free kick provided just that. The Japanese midfielder has now scored a team-high eight goals this season for the Kickers, but has also proven great versatility this season with the ability to play both as a deep-sitting midfielder, or as a creator further up the field.

• 3. The Rhinos will likely feel the game turned when they were unable to take the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half. Christian Volesky struck his shot well, but comfortably within reach for Kickers goalkeeper Matt Turner to make the save. Rochester has played well with a lead this season, and could have settled into a more counter-attacking style had it converted, but instead they’ll be looking for a solid bounce-back performance on Saturday night against Wilmington.  

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Yudai Imuda, Richmond Kickers – Imura’s outstanding free kick proved the difference between the teams, as the Kickers continued their push toward the top four in the USL Eastern Conference.

Upcoming Games:

Rochester Rhinos vs. Wilmington Hammerheads FC – August 6, 6:05 p.m. ET, Rhinos Stadium

Richmond Kickers at FC Montreal – August 6, 3 p.m. ET, Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard