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Kickers End OCB’s Undefeated Streak

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/07/17, 6:29PM EDT

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Jane leads 2-0 victory as Richmond earns first road win


Photo courtesy Mark Thor / Orlando City SC

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Richmond Kickers scored twice in the final five minutes of the first half to end Orlando City B’s 12-game undefeated streak with a 2-0 victory at Orlando City Stadium on Thursday evening. Richmond almost struck first in the fourth minute as a low cross from the left by Braeden Troyer was met first-time by Luis Fernando, but his effort went just wide of the left post. Orlando’s first good chance came to Hadji Barry, but his header went over the crossbar after taking a firm bounce off the turf from Scott Thomsen’s cross in the ninth minute. The Kickers had the better pressure in the first half, though, and took the lead five minutes before the break as a free kick by Sunny Jane was knocked back across goal by Mallan Roberts, and Mikey Minutillo knocked home the chance at the top of the six-yard area. Jane then took advantage of another set piece, curling home a finish into the left corner of the net in first-half stoppage time to double the lead. The game began to even out in the second half, and Jane went close to a second with a shot that just missed the top-left corner, but OCB was unable to create many chances until Zach Ellis-Hayden forced a good save by Kickers goalkeeper Travis Worra with 20 minutes to go. OCB was unable to seriously threaten a comeback late, however, as a late save by Worra on Albert Dikwa in stoppage time allowed the Kickers to record a shutout in their first road win of the season.

Scoring:
40’ – RIC – Mikey Minutillo (Mallan Roberts)
45+’ – RIC – Sunny Jane

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. All streaks have to come to an end, but the end of Orlando’s 12-game undefeated streak will have the side looking over its shoulder this weekend as it sits precariously at the top of the race for the USL Cup Playoffs that currently stretches from OCB in sixth place to Ottawa Fury FC in 12th for the final three places in the postseason. What will probably disappoint most is how OCB wasn’t able to dictate the game at home as the Kickers held more possession and restricted Orlando’s good looks at goal. With a potential six-pointer as the side visits Saint Louis FC up next, a good bounce-back will be important.   

  • 2. The Kickers had a letdown on Saturday night against the Charlotte Independence, but will be very pleased with the response the side showed in winning its third game out of the past four outings by defeating Orlando. The game also marked the first road win for the team this season, and came as the chances the side has been creating this season finally fell against a solid defensive unit. The Kickers have been in the top 10 in the USL in chances created this season, but haven’t been able to capitalize in the manner they have of late, which is the main reason they’re unlikely to reach the postseason.

  • 3. If there’s one silver lining to Richmond’s recent run of form, it’s that it could provide a good platform to build on for the 2018 season. With the side nine points out of eighth place with five games to go, players will have the goal of impressing Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw enough that they’ll make their return next season to build on the late success this season. As previously mentioned, the Kickers’ underlying numbers don’t appear bad, and there could be a strong rebound back up the standings coming for the players that return.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Sunny Jane, Richmond Kickers – Jane provided the initial ball on the Kickers opening goal, and then curled home a fine free kick for their second, while also completing 39 of 44 passes for the game.

Upcoming Games:
Orlando City B
at Saint Louis FC – September 16, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis
Richmond Kickers at Charleston Battery – September 16, 7 p.m. ET, MUSC Health Stadium

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