Hailstorm remains unbeaten, but neither side finds the back of the net in a 0-0 draw.
RICHMOND – Unbeaten Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC continued their roadshow in Richmond on Saturday in front of a loud and packed City Stadium crowd of 5,024 humans and over 100 dogs.
It was “Pups at the Pitch” night, where the Richmond Kickers organization encouraged fans to bring their dogs to the match, allowing them to sit with their humans in section 114, between the north-end goal and the corner.
As for the match itself, both sides saw several chances, with quality saves by goalkeepers Will Palmquist of the Kickers and Edward Delgado of Hailstorm FC keeping the match even. Delgado has yet to concede a regular season goal, with three straight clean sheets to open the season.
As expected, reigning player of the month Nil Vinyals and reigning defender of the year Arthur Rogers showed flashes of brilliance in the midfield and at the corners, but neither could find their targets in the box for goals amidst the solid defending by both sides. The attacks were fairly even across the board, with Richmond putting up ten shots with two on target, and Hailstorm with nine shots and two on target.
City Stadium, April 15th, 2023 for Richmond Kickers vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm | Photo by Alex Ashton
While Richmond is certainly disappointed with failing to come away with a home win in two tries this season, a point against a dangerous Hailstorm offense will have to do.
Both squads will have week six off from league play to concentrate on US Open Cup action on April 26th, where Richmond will face DC United and Hailstorm will face the Colorado Rapids. Richmond then travels to Statesboro, GA to face Tormenta FC, and Hailstorm will travel to Omaha, both on Saturday April 29th.
Corner attempt, Richmond Kickers vs Northern Colorado Hailstorm, April 15, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Richard Hayes, RVAHub
Match Day Information
Location: City Stadium, Richmond, VA
Reported attendance: 5,024
Weather: mostly sunny, 78F
Match Notes: Richmond Kickers
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Absent from the roster: Michael Hornsby (injury), David Olsen (injury), Ethan Vanacore-Decker (injury)
With normal left-back Michael Hornsby out, Jake Mecham got his first regular season start. Mecham also started the US Open Cup match last week. Hornsby exited the match against Charlotte Independence late in the second half with a minor injury.
Coach Darren Sawatzky pulled Kharlton Belmar at the half in favor of Owayne Gordon. Sawatzky stated after the match his disappointment with the lack of production on the left side and wanted to switch things up.
Notable on the bench:
- Gordon started on the bench, but replaced Belmar at the half.
- Chandler O’Dwyer made second regular season apperance, replacing Nil Vinyals in the 90th minute
- Chris Cole, João Gomiero, Beckett Howell and Luke Pavone did not appear.
- Akira Fitzgerald backed up Will Palmquist.
Up next: Richmond will travel to DC United on April 26th in a US Open Cup match before traveling to face Tormenta FC on April 29th.
Match Notes: Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Formation: 4-4-2
Absent from the roster: McClain Clarke, Jackson Dietrich, Irvin Parra (medical), Ryan Wittenbrink
Brandon Rosas made his regular season team and league debut in the starting 11. The Mexican league veteran signed with the club near the start of the season. Rosas was held to zero shots in the match before being replaced in the 64th minute by Trevor Amann.
Coach Zayed made two halftime changes, swapping out defender Lucky Opera for Donald Benemna and forward Stefan Lucic for Marky Hernandez. Benemna took a right-foot shot that went just wide of the net in the 54th minute.
Goalkeeper Edward Deldago picked up his third straight clean sheet, tying a league record. Hailstorm FC has yet to allow a regular season goal this season.
Available on the bench squad:
- Donald Benemna and Marky Hernandez replaced Stefan Lucic and Lucky Opera at halftime.
- Trevor Amann and Leo Folla replaced Brandon Rosas and Rob Cornwall in the 64th minute
- Destan Norman replaced Enock Kwakwa in the 66th minute.
- Valentin Sabella did not appear.
- Johan Peñaranda backed up Edward Delgado.
Up next: Hailstorm will face Colorado Rapids on April 26th in US Open Cup action before traveling to Omaha on April 29th for league play.