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Korb Begins Comeback with Kickers

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/07/17, 10:26AM EDT

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After 20-month absence, DCU loanee puts in solid shift against Cincinnati


Photo courtesy Jessica Hendricks / Richmond Kickers

RICHMOND, Va. – The cross from the right by the Richmond Kickers’ Luiz Fernando had missed its targets, and was seemingly drifting out of play in the left corner at City Stadium.

Then Chris Korb sprang into action. Corralling the ball just before it went out, using the flag for balance, the D.C. United loanee used a rollover move to elude the oncoming defender, push infield and sent a low cross into the near post. A minor redirection from Fred Owusu Sekyere, and Korb had pick up an assist less than seven minutes into his Richmond debut.

“I saw he hit it just a little long and it ended up staying in,” said Korb. “It was a little sticky, the grass and I saw him diving a little bit. I put a dangerous ball in and Owusu finished it.”

Making his first professional appearances since August 13, 2015 against New York City FC, Korb certainly looked to be on the right path after a serious knee injury had threatened to derail his career completely. After undergoing surgery for a torn ACL suffered against NYCFC, Korb had to go through two additional surgeries after complications provided major setbacks in his recovery.

In 71 minutes of action in the Kickers’ 1-1 draw with Cincinnati on Saturday night, things looked to be getting close to where they needed to. Korb completed 14-of-20 passes in the contest, won 4-of-5 duels and was solid defensively matched up against FCC’s Columbus Crew SC loanee Cristian Martinez.

For the Kickers as a whole, the performance was a positive one. Having taken the early lead, Richmond continued to push forward far more confidently than it had a week ago against Tampa Bay, and could have added to its lead before Cincinnati recorded its first attempt on goal in the 31st minute.

The visitors grew into the game, though, and with 20 minutes to go were rewarded with an equalizer. A good piece of interplay between Kadeem Dacres and Matt Bahner down the right released Bahner to the byline, and his cut-back cross found Jimmy McLaughlin for a low finish and his first goal of the season.

“It is not easy to get points in the league on the road,” said FCC Head Coach Alan Koch. “We knew it was not going to be easy at Richmond. But after a tough first 45 minutes, the boys responded with the required intensity in the second half. We are excited to be coming back home to play in front of our fans now.”

Despite being disappointed at having lost the lead at home, Richmond Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw saw the silver lining to the performance as a whole.

“I can’t complain, I watched Cincinnati play last week against Bethlehem and I thought they totally dominated and they came out with a very strong team again,” said Cowlishaw. “I thought it was a very even game. We put them on the back foot for times and we caused them a lot of problems, which is pleasing against a team that was tipped to be a championship team.”

For Korb, meanwhile, the road forward certainly appears a bright one.

“I mean, amazing,” said Korb. “It was good. I’m just all smiles.”

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