1. Spanish Friendly
The Kickers announced that they would be hosting RCD Espanyol of La Liga on July 25 for an international exhibition. The historic match marks the first time a team from Spain’s top league will appear in the Commonwealth. Following a 48-hour private presale, general admission tickets will go on sale at noon on Wednesday, June 20 at RichmondKickers.com.

2. Chance for Revenge
Richmond has a chance to right the wrongs from the 1-3 loss to the Charlotte Independence earlier in the season. The Kickers host the Independence again this Saturday looking for three points in front of the home crowd. 

3. Summer Fest 
It’s SUMMER FEST at City Stadium this Saturday, presented by Sticks Kebob Shop, Crossridge Family & Cosmetic Dentistry and Bounce 2 The Moon! The party starts at 5:30 pm with live music by Hazeltone, a one-of-a-kind splash zone featuring a 40-foot slip ‘n slide and a 20-foot water slide, human foosball, soccer darts, inflatable games, RVA food trucks and over a dozen craft beers on tap! Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

4. Worra Working a Recipe for Success
Richmond Kickers goalkeeper and D.C. United loanee Travis Worra talked about how he uses a combination of confidence and craziness in front of the net. Worra is eighth in the USL this season with 38 saves. 

5. Avery Spence Youth Community Service Award Recipient
The Richmond Kickers and the Spence family were proud to present Caelan Colaiacovo with the eighth annual Avery Spence Youth Community Service Award during halftime at the Kickers pro game versus the Charleston Battery on Saturday, June 9. The award honors the life of Avery Spence, a former Kickers youth player, and was presented to Caelan by the Spence family.

6. World Cup Coming to U.S. 
Shortly before the 2018 World Cup got underway, the united bid of Canada, Mexico, and the United States was selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This will also be the first year that the tournament expands from 32 to 48 teams. There’s 150 proposed training sites with Richmond as a possibility.

7. 2018 World Cup Begins
The 2018 World Cup got underway when host Russia defeated Saudi Arabia 5-0 on the opening day. Russia’s victory meant that the host nation has still never lost it’s opening match in the 21 editions of the FIFA World Cup (16-0-5).

8. Ronaldo Shines
In perhaps the biggest match of the group stage, Portugal and Spain played to a 3-3 draw. Paramount in the game was Cristiano Ronaldo who garnered a hat-trick, including this incredible free kick, for Portugal against David de Gea and the Spanish side. 

9. Defending Champs Go Down
Germany, the 2014 Fifa World Cup champions, fell 1-0 in its opening game to Mexico. Mexico’s Chucky Lozano beat Manuel Neuer in the 35th minute to pull off the massive upset. A seismic movement was detected in Mexico City following the celebration from Lozano’s goal.

10. SKOL
Iceland got a monumental result against Argentina, drawing 1-1 in the opener. Part of the greatness of the World Cup is the fan support from all the countries. That support might not be any greater than it is in Iceland. 99.6% of people watching television on Saturday were watching the Iceland vs. Argentina match.

11. Favorites Not Living up to Hype?
None of the three top favorites to win the FIFA World Cup won their opening match. It marked the first time in World Cup history that Germany (0-1 loss to Mexico), Argentina (1-1 draw to Iceland), and Brazil (1-1 draw to Switzerland) all didn’t win the opening round game.