2022’s regular season champs visit the regular season runners-up at their new home.
Greenville Triumph: What to Know
Last Result: after finishing second in the 2022 table, Greenville was quickly dispatched in the semifinal of the playoffs by eventual champions, Tormenta FC. This will be Greenville’s first regular season match of 2023, and the debut of their new home, Furman University’s Paladin Stadium.
Significant returnees from the 2022 squad: forwards Jacob Labovitz (also the goals leader) and Lucas Coutinho; midfielders Venton Evans, Allen Gavilanes, and Aaron Walker; and defenders Noah Franke, Brandon Fricke, Evan Lee, Tyler Polak, Nate Shultz, and Jamie Smith.
Significant newcomers: forward Leo Castro from South African side Kaizer Chiefs FC, midfielders Devin Boyce from Memphis 901 and Tevin Shaw from FC Tucson.
Castro was a late addition, announced on March 20th. No word on his availability for this match. The 33-year-old veteran striker has not played since appearing with Kaizer Chiefs FC of the South African Premiership in May 2022.
Castro has 64 goals over 290 appearances across first and second tiers in South Africa, Colombia, and Peru.
Significant departures: forwards Nico Brown (Lexington SC) and Jake Keegan (One Knox SC), midfielder Don Smart (Lexington SC), defender Derek Waldeck (One Knox SC), and goalkeeper Paul Christensen (retired).
The Goalkeeping question: Greenville re-signed backup goalkeepers Ben Hale and Jared Mazzola in the off-season. Neither has logged any regular season or playoff appearances with the club, as Christensen played every minute in 2022.
Greenville’s X-Factor: while we don’t expect an appearance from Castro, the off-season addition of Devin Boyce should provide a burst of energy to the midfield and possibly re-ignite Laobvitz’s goal-scoring.
Labovitz, a second-year striker, scored a hat-trick in the first matchup against Richmond last season.
Richmond Kickers: What to Know
Last Result: The Kickers played in the opening weekend, traveling to Charlotte where they drew the Independence 0-0.
What Richmond Brings from the Last Result: the Kickers gained a point on the road, using a fairly predictable starting 11. The offense was on the attack much of the first half, while Charlotte controlled the second half, especially after newcomer Dane Kelly came on. Charlotte’s defense was solid in limiting dangerous chances in the box, limiting Richmond to three shots with only one on target.
Richmond keeper Akira Fitzgerald had five saves on the day, showcasing his team’s sometimes fallback on solid goaltending.
Richmond’s X-Factor: the Kickers come into the Greenville match carrying four yellow cards, all of which went to members of the starting 11: Defender Michael Hornsby, midfielders Justin Sukow and Zara Morán, and captain and 2022 MVP Emiliano Terzaghi. This may lead to some roster tinkering by coach Darren Sawatzky.
Sawatzky sang the praises of newcomers Hornsby, Gomiero, Belmar, and Sukow, calling the latter his “swiss army knife” able to be moved around as needed. (Rivercity 93 interview)
Available on the bench squad: midfielder João Gomiero, and forward Owayne Gordon, both of whom appeared in the 69th minute of week one. Defenders Chris Cole and Jake Mecham and midfielder Chandler O’Dwyer should also be available and rested, as none found any minutes in week one. Academy defender Beckett Howell was also available on the bench in week one.
Not Available or Questionable for Week 2: forward Luke Pavone (shoulder), and forward Ethan Vanacore-Decker (ACL). Forward David Olsen also did not appear on the week one roster for undisclosed reasons.
Richmond Kickers Previous Week Setup
Opponent: Charlotte Independence
Result: 0-0
2022 Head to Head
Greenville won series 2-1-0
July 16: Richmond 1-3 Greenville
Richmond: Bentley 72’*
Greenville: Labovitz 23′ 36′ 89’*
August 13: Greenville 1-0 Richmond
Greenville: Brown 90′
October 15: Richmond 1-1 Greenville
Richmond: Terzaghi 21’*
Cox-Ashwood 87’*
* Players returning in 2023