WILMINGTON, N.C. – Wilmington Hammerheads FC needs a victory against the Richmond Kickers on Saturday night at Legion Stadium to keep its hopes of reaching the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs alive. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Matchcenter: http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218412

Wilmington Hammerheads FC news and notes

• Current record: 7-12-10, 31pts
• The Hammerheads came close to moving into eighth place in the Eastern Conference last Saturday, but was held in a 1-1 draw with the Harrisburg City Islanders.
• Wilmington took a first-half lead through Austin Martz, but conceded an equalizer with 12 minutes to go at Puccillo Field.
• Wilmington now must win against the Kickers to have a chance to overtake Orlando City B for the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
• The Hammerheads have taken only one win in their last 13 outings, a 3-0 victory against Orlando on Sept. 7.

Richmond Kickers news and notes

• Current record: 12-8-9, 45pts
• Richmond fell 2-1 to the Charleston Battery in its most recent outing, which ruled the Kickers out of hosting a playoff game in the conference quarterfinals.
• The Kickers took the lead through Yudai Imura’s 10th goal of the season, but two second-half goals by the Battery rallied the visitors to victory at City Stadium.
• Richmond is now 0-2-1 in its last three games after recording a 10-game undefeated streak prior to its recent dip in form.
• Imura is the first Japanese player to record 10 goals in a season in the USL.

2016 Team leaders

• Goals: Wilmington – Bruno Perone 8; Richmond – Yudai Imura, 10
• Assists: Wilmington – Mael Corboz, 4; Richmond – Brian Ownby, Yudai Imura, 3

Series Notes

• Richmond has a 1-0-1 edge in the regular season series between the teams this season, but the sides played to a 0-0 draw at Legion Stadium on April 1 earlier this season.

Officials

• REF: Patrick Schmidt
• AR1: Eric Barnes
• AR2: Jordan Davis
• 4TH: Paul Friend

Game hashtag:

• #WILvRIC

Twitter social handles

• Wilmington Hammerheads FC – @WilmHammerheads
• Richmond Kickers – @RichmondKickers