Unbeaten Hailstorm FC takes its roadshow into Richmond for a showdown with the 2022 regular season champs.
Richmond Kickers: What to Know
Last Result: a 1-2 loss vs. Charlotte Independence; 3-2 win vs Cleveland SC in the US Open Cup.
What Richmond brings from the last results: a regular season loss, two late goals conceded to an amateur side and now facing a high-flying Hailstorm FC offense should have brought some bye-week work on the defense. Will coach Sawatzky continue with the 4-4-3 setup that has Hornsby, Barnathan, Aune, and Fitch in the back with Morán as the midfield anchor? The roster is light on defenders, so there may not be many ways to shake this one up.
Photo courtesy Richard Hayes at RVAHub
Richmond’s x-factor: the right side of the pitch. Justin Sukow brings league experience, while rookie João Gomiero shows promise. Which one will get the minutes this week? Simon Fitch has to fill in some pretty big shoes in Stephen Payne’s old right-back spot, but also shows promise. Can that right side open up some passing lanes to Owayne Gordon and Emiliano Terzaghi? The latter is the reigning golden boot winner but has yet to score in the regular season, seeing very few chances. He did score three goals in three matches against Hailstorm FC in 2022 though.
Available on the bench squad:
- Luke Pavone
- João Gomiero
- Jake Mecham
- Chris Cole
- Matt Bentley / Owayne Gordon (used interchangeably at right wing)
- Chandler O’Dwyer
Not Available or Questionable for Week 5: Akira Fitzgerald (family leave), David Olsen (injury), Ethan Vanacore-Decker (injury)
Richmond Kickers Previous Week Setup
Opponent: Charlotte Independence
Result: LOSS 1-2
Northern Colorado Hailstorm: What to Know
Last Results: WIN at Tormenta FC 3-0; WIN at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 3-1 (US Open Cup)
What Hailstorm FC brings from the last results: an offensive attack that seems to be on a roll. Six goals in two matches, both on the road. One against the defending champs in the rain and one against a USL Championship side in the cold. Both wins without the services of 2022’s leading goal scorer Irvin Parra and promising off-season signing Brandon Rosas. And with five of the six goals from players who came off the bench. This is a relentless, deep attack, often quarterbacked by defender of the year Arthur Rogers.
Hailstorm’s x-factor: proving themselves against a healthy, complete squad. It can be argued that USL Championship sides don’t take the US Open Cup as serious as a USL League One side. It can also be argued that Tormenta FC was in a very bad spot that weekend, with top players injured or on suspension. Richmond looks to be healthy and complete, and while they haven’t exactly dazzled this season, are the defending regular season champs, have home field advantage and have had plenty of time to prepare.
Available on the bench squad:
- Donald Benemna
- McCain Clarke
- Leo Folla
- Pedro Hernandez
- Destan Norman
- Nortei Nortey
- Johan Penaranda
Not available or questionable for week 5: Brecc Evans (injury), Irvin Parra (medical), Brandon Rosas (eligibility)
Hailstorm FC previous match setup
Opponent: Tormenta FC
Result: WIN 3-0
2022 Head to Head
Richmond won series 2-1-0
April 9: Richmond 1-1 Hailstorm FC
Richmond goal: Terzaghi*
Hailstorm goal: Vanacore-Decker
June 18: Richmond 3-2 Hailstorm FC
Richmond goals: Vinyals*, Terzaghi*, Bolanos
Hailstorm goals: Cornwall*, Folla*
August 2: Hailstorm FC 0-1 Richmond
Richmond goal: Terzaghi*
* Returns to club in 2023