So there has been a lot of chat online about who Richmond will travel to for the playoffs. If you were to ask fans they would tell you that they prefer Union Omaha (who recently clinched the player's shield against Tormenta to get Richmond into the playoffs. Against rival fans and you will more than likely get they want to see a Henny Derby in the playoffs. Kickers unfortunately will not know who they will play until the earliest at midnight cause Spokane plays the late game.
In this preview for the final matchday, I will walk you through the three games and their importance to Richmond Kickers fans so you don't have too. (Plus I need to write, it's been a while)
Richmond Kickers vs Charlotte Independence (6pm EST ESPN Plus+)
For starters, the most important game is the game being played at City Stadium first and foremost. Richmond is in a good run of form as they have won their last three out of five games in the league (which includes a win over Charlotte). Charlotte however is lipping their way into the playoffs with 3 losses in their last 5. The key for Richmond in this game is to start strong and speed up Charlotte into mistakes. Now a win for Richmond “temporarily” pushes them into the seventh seed, on the flip side a draw or loss keeps them in the eighth place and heading to Union Omaha.
Spokane Velocity FC vs One Knox SC (10 pm EST on ESPN Plus+)
Now given how the result goes for Da Roos in the first match-up, all eyes will be on this game taking place at 10 pm (just go ahead and make a cup of coffee to stay up to watch this). Let’s start with the team in the seventh-seed Spokane Velocity, who outside of Charlotte might be the worst team in the league right now based on form. In their last five games not only have they lost each of them but they have failed to score in four of those games. Their opponent on the other hand is the prime definition of “Everything's better when it is balanced” as they have drawn in three of the previous five contests. One Knox is gonna be doing some eyeball-watching as well because if Greenville drops points against Tormenta (yes that same Tormenta who caught three red cards to end their season) can jump up to the fourth seed and get a home playoff game in their second season in USL.
Northern Colorado Hailstorm vs That Pink Team (10 pm EST on ESPN+)
And finally, If the first two games go the way of Da Roos we can turn our attention to a game that outside the Wooden Spoon race might have the most impact on the weekend. Both teams come in on amazing hot streaks as NOCO has won their last four games in a row only giving up one goal in that stretch while scoring eight goals themselves. That Pink Team on the other hand has been in good form as well as they have picked up eight out of a possible twelve points available to them in their last four games. Simply put, whoever wins gets the second seed while the loser gets the third seed and a possible home visit with Charlotte.
So to outline these, if things go right for Richmond by the time 8 pm hits, take two hours to relax and get ready to find out where Da Roos will be playing. If it is Union Omaha, Richmond hasn’t played well there, only scoring two goals while giving up nine and losing three straight in recent results. If we are paired up against NOCO, we have had some better times as we have won a game there but not recently as we are 1-2-0 in the last three games in the Rockies with both losses being 5-1 combined score. And finally, the matchup that might just break the Internet for lower league soccer if it happens, a Henny Derby in the playoffs. Against Madison at home, the last three games have gone 1-2-0 for Da Roos but their most recent result was a 2-2 draw in which Maxi Schenfeld scored that bike kick (ahh man was that a fun moment.
Regardless of who the Kickers will play, I think Kickers fans can sit back and realize that this season is going to end on a high note. If you were to ask any Kickers fan if you will have a playoff berth with a game to go and the possibility of moving up back in June they would have gladly taken it. There will be room to sit back and evaluate the season at the end but at the moment Kickers fans, sit back and enjoy the chaos.
