Top Five Kickers games to look forward to in 2025

The 2025 season is only days away from kicking off and Da Roos will be on the road for the first two games to kick off the season. Whenever the schedule drops, most Richmond Kickers fans first look to see when the First Henny Derby is, then see who the home opener is and closer. But as a new season is on the eve of kicking off here are five games that are must watch for the Kickers 

#5 Louisville City  Saturday, April 26

The Kickers kick off the 2025 edition of the USL Jagermeister Cup (or the USL Cup cause Virginia ABC Laws) against perhaps the best-rated lower division team in America in Louisville City. The last time these two teams played was the Kickers last year in the USL Championship back in 2018 which was a 6-0 butt-kicking. However, this version of the Kickers is much different from that squad. It is still unclear how USLC teams will address the cup, whether will they play their first teams, or whether will they use it for rotation. Only time can tell but this is gonna be a matchup that is gonna have eyeballs on it. 

#4 Chattanooga Red Wolves Saturday, May 10th 

I don’t think this one has to be very long. The main reason I am adding this one is the simple reason that we haven’t won there yet. A game like this isn’t so much make-or-break as it can give DA Roos a momentum boost. One last thing: a win here would not fill the hole in my heart from 2022, but it would be close. 

#3 Union Omaha on Wednesday, April 9th 

On a random Wednesday night, the Kickers welcome the defending USL Champions, Union Omaha, to the city to prepare for a fight. The Kickers have had more success at home recently vs. Union Omaha (remember last year's nil-nil clean sheet? That was fun). In all honesty, this will more than likely be a measuring stick game for the Kickers to see how they fair against one of the league's top favorites to win it again. 

#2 Portland Hearts of Pine on Wednesday, September 17th

Nationally televised games are always fun as it gives City Stadium or as Justin Reid perfectly dubbed it “America’s last great dive bar” Portland will be making their first-ever trip to the Rivercity in September which could be a game that can make or break a playoff push. Also for some reason (probably a good one), Richmond seems to bring out their best when the camera comes out from CBS. 

#1 Forward Madison on Saturday,  October 25th 

I mean come on, you know this was gonna be the number 1 game of the season. This game has the potential to MAYBE the most important Henny Derby ever. An end-of-the-season clash that has the potential to be for a playoff spot, regular season title, or just bragging rights is sure to be intense. With this game being on the very last day of the season who knows what is in store for us but we know it will be fun.