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Cordoves, Kickers Snap Battery’s Streak

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 06/09/18, 9:03PM EDT

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Cuban forward scores winner against his former club in 2-0 victory


Photo courtesy Sandra Williams / Richmond Kickers

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers scored a pair of second-half goals as they ended the nine-game undefeated streak of the Charleston Battery with a 2-0 victory at City Stadium on Saturday night. The Battery threatened in just the second minute as Leland Archer’s flicked header forced a low save by Kickers goalkeeper Travis Worra, while Richmond’s Raul Gonzalez fired just wide of the left post 10 minutes later on the first good chance for the hosts. The Kickers also went close in the 27th minute when Gonzalez’s cross was headed just over the bar by Heviel Cordoves, while Braeden Troyer fired a powerful shot that Battery goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky corralled five minutes before halftime. The Battery almost took the lead five minutes into the second half when a low shot by Neveal Hackshaw from the left was fired just wide of the left post by Gordon Wild. A minute later Richmond’s Alex Lee forced a good save by Kuzminsky as he broke into the right side of the penalty area for a low finish, while Chris Osei-Wusu was also denied on a curling shot from the top of the penalty area. Richmond’s pressure paid off in the 62nd minute as a free kick from the left by Brian Shriver was headed in by Cordoves. Charleston tried to get back on level terms as Tah Anunga sent a shot high and wide with 20 minutes to go, while Ian Svantesson’s effort in the 85th minute was saved by Worra, but a minutes into stoppage time Luiz Fernando ensured all three points for the hosts as he shot low into the right corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Scoring:
62’ – RIC – Heviel Cordoves (Brian Shriver)
90+1’ – RIC – Luiz Fernando (Dane Kelly)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. The Kickers took what would have been a gratifying victory against its longtime rivals and helped pull themselves back toward the race for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference in the process thanks to a solid display that saw the side find a cutting edge that at times has been hit and miss this season. There’s still plenty of work to be done for the Kickers but a victory like this ahead of a busy week should build some confidence that this side can put in a positive run of form, the sort of confidence that will be needed in a visit to FC Cincinnati a week from tonight.

  • 2. There’s always a sense of inevitability that circles when a forward goes up against his former club, and while it certainly doesn’t always happen the fact that Heviel Cordoves struck the game-winner for the Kickers on Saturday night after his offseason move from the Battery won’t be lost on many. The Cuban’s flicked header was beautifully taken, and the club will be hoping it can kickstart his season after having scored only once in his previous nine appearances in a Kickers uniform.

  • 3. The Battery saw their nine-game undefeated streak come to an end to wrap up a tough week overall for the club that included elimination from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at the hands of Atlanta United FC. With the side dropping down the Eastern Conference as its run now turns into a four-game winless streak, next Saturday’s rivalry contest against the Charlotte Independence is starting to look like a very important one for two clubs in the thick of the race for the postseason.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Heviel Cordoves, Richmond Kickers – Cordoves produced the game-winning goal and recorded four key passes as he linked up the Kickers attack in a positive manner for most of the contest.

Upcoming Games:

Richmond Kickers at Penn FC – June 12, 7 p.m. ET, FNB Field

Charleston Battery at Charlotte Independence – June 16, 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsplex at Matthews

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