2012 Richmond Kickers season

The 2012 Richmond Kickers season was the club's twentieth season of existence. It was the Kicker's sixth-consecutive year in the third-tier of American soccer, playing in the USL Professional Division for their second season.

Richmond Kickers
2012 season
OwnerUnited States Rob Ukrop
Head coachEngland Leigh Cowlishaw
StadiumCity Stadium
USL Pro4th
USL Pro PlayoffsFirst round
U.S. Open CupThird round
Highest home attendance5,014
vs. D.C. United (May 29
U.S. Open Cup)
Lowest home attendance2,273
vs. Harrisburg (May 12
USL Pro Regular Season)
Average home league attendanceLeague: 2,433
Playoffs: 1,441
Cup: 5,014
← 2011
2013 →

After a slow start for the first two-thirds of the regular season, a four-match winning streak catapulted the Kickers into the top half of the table, thus qualifying them for the playoffs, making it the ninth consecutive season that the Kickers made the playoffs of any league they were participating in. In the first round of the playoffs, Richmond lost 3–2 by the Wilmington Hammerheads thus ending their postseason ambitions.

Richmond also reached the third round of the 2012 U.S. Open Cup, where in extra time, they lost to Major League Soccer side, D.C. United.

Background

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The 2011 campaign marked the Kickers' debut in the newly created USL Pro League, which assumed the role as the third division of American soccer. During the regular season, Richmond finished third in their division and third in the overall table, making it the first time since 2005 that the Kickers did not finish the regular season either as the regular season champion or finalist. In the playoffs, the Kickers were eliminated by Commissioner's Cup winners and eventual USL Pro champions, Orlando City.[1]

Outside of league play, Richmond made one of their deepest runs in the U.S. Open Cup, the domestic knockout cup competition.[2] The Kickers reached the semifinals of the tournament after knocking out two Major League Soccer clubs, Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City in the third round and quarterfinals, respectively.[3] The last time Richmond reached the semifinals of the Open Cup was in 1995, when the Kickers won their lone U.S. Open Cup title.[4]

Off the field, the Kicker organization posted their fourth highest average attendance in club history.

Review

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Offseason

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On December 6, 2011, the Kickers signed Pittsburgh Riverhounds' Jason Yeisley on a free transfer.[5]

From January 20–22, the Kickers hosted their fourteenth player combine and had open tryouts.[6]

On January 30, 2012, the club announced their preseason schedule, which included fixtures against several local college soccer teams.[7]

Preseason

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The Kickers are expected to begin preseason training camp in February.

April

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The Richmond Kickers opened the regular season with home and away fixtures against long-time rivals, Charleston Battery, and the defending USL Pro regular season and postseason champions, Orlando City, earning a win, a draw and two losses during the four-match span. Richmond's home opener was on April 7 against Charleston in front of a crowd of 5,009. The Kickers suffered a 2–1 home defeat to the Battery thanks to a pair of goals from Charleston's Jose Cuevas, who netted in the 41st and 67th minutes of the match. The Kickers lone goal came from Stanley Nyazamba, who tallied for the home side in the 65th minute. The following weekend, the Kickers traveled south to Charleston, South Carolina to play the Battery at their home venue, Blackbaud Stadium. In front of a sold-out crowd of 4,729, the Kickers earned a last-minute, 2–1 victory over the Battery thanks to a goal from longtime defender, Sascha Görres.[8] The Kickers' other goal came from Nyazamba, who netted his second of the campaign.

On April 21, the Kickers returned home to take on the defending USL Pro champions, Orlando City, who had been hot off a 2–0–0 start. In front of a crowd of 3,169; the Kickers were shutout at home by Orlando, as they suffered a second-straight home defeat, losing 2–0 in the process. City's two goals both came in the second half off a 61st-minute strike from Luke Boden, and an 89th minute penalty kick from Anthony Pulis. The return leg was the following weekend, where Richmond ended Orlando's six-matching winning streak (including last season), where the Kickers drew City 0–0 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.[9]

Competitions

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Preseason

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February 25, 2012 Preseason 1 Richmond Kickers 3–0 James Madison Dukes Richmond, Virginia
18:30 EDT Stadium: Ukrop Park
March 3, 2012 Preseason 2 Richmond Kickers 1–2 VCU Rams Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Stadium: Ukrop Park
Attendance: 500
March 11, 2012 Preseason 3 Richmond Kickers 7–0 Richmond Kickers U-18 Richmond, Virginia
18:00 EDT Stadium: Ukrop Park
March 17, 2012 Preseason 4 Richmond Kickers 1–1 North Carolina Tar Heels Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Delicâte   47' Report Walters   34' Stadium: Ukrop Park
Attendance: 500
Referee: Mike Andrews
Note: 2012 Pro-Am Challenge
March 23, 2012 Preseason 5 Richmond Kickers 0–0 William & Mary Tribe Richmond, Virginia
17:00 EDT Report Stadium: Ukrop Park
Attendance: 500
March 25, 2012 Preseason 6 Richmond Kickers 4–0 Old Dominion Monarchs Richmond, Virginia
17:00 EDT Delicâte   6'
Nyazamba   23'
Foglesong   54'
MacKenzie   58'
Report Stadium: Ukrop Park
Attendance: 450
March 28, 2012 Preseason 7 Richmond Kickers 1–0 Longwood Lancers Richmond, Virginia
19:00pm EDT Nyazamba   36' Stadium: Ukrop Park
Note: Match abandoned in the 65th minute due to severe weather
March 31, 2012 Preseason 8 Richmond Kickers 0–2 Maryland Terrapins Richmond, Virginia
14:00 EDT Report Mullins   67', 76' Stadium: City Stadium

USL Pro regular season

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Orlando City SC (C) 24 17 6 1 50 18 +32 57 Commissioner's Cup, Playoffs 1st round bye
2 Rochester Rhinos (A) 24 12 5 7 27 23 +4 41 Playoffs 1st round bye
3 Charleston Battery (A) 24 12 2 10 36 26 +10 38 Playoffs
4 Richmond Kickers (A) 24 11 5 8 31 27 +4 38
5 Wilmington Hammerheads (A) 24 10 7 7 34 32 +2 37
6 Harrisburg City Islanders (A) 24 10 7 7 34 29 +5 37
7 Charlotte Eagles 24 11 3 10 34 26 +8 36
8 Los Angeles Blues 24 9 3 12 26 29 −3 30
9 Dayton Dutch Lions 24 4 10 10 20 29 −9 22
10 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 24 4 5 15 20 39 −19 17
11 Antigua Barracuda 24 5 1 18 16 50 −34 16
Source: USL Pro official standings
Rules for classification: Points, then tiebreak: 1) Head-to-head record based on total points in League games, 2) Total wins in League games, 3) Goal difference in League games, 4) Goals scored in League games, etc.[10]
(A) Advances to USL Pro Playoffs; (C) Commissioner's Cup (best regular season record)

Match reports

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April 7, 2012 Match 1 Richmond Kickers 1–2 Charleston Battery Richmond, Virginia
17:00 EDT Nyazamba   65'
Görres   70'
Report Cuevas   41', 67'
Richter   80'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,009
Referee: Moo Hackett
April 14, 2012 Match 2 Charleston Battery 1–2 Richmond Kickers Charleston, South Carolina
19:30 EDT Paterson   19'
Falvey   61'
Report Nyazamba   61'   79'
Callahan   81'
Görres   90'
Stadium: Blackbaud Stadium
Attendance: 4,729 (SO)
Referee: Sky Arthur Benning
April 21, 2012 Match 3 Richmond Kickers 0–2 Orlando City Richmond, Virginia
17:00 EDT Callahan   69' Report Molino   31'
Boden   61'
Pulis   89' (pen.)
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 3,169
Referee: Mark Gorak
April 28, 2012 Match 4 Orlando City 0–0 Richmond Kickers Orlando, Florida
19:30 EDT Ustruck   75' Report Kalungi   49'
Bulow   83'
Stadium: Citrus Bowl
Attendance: 7,899
Referee: Marcos C. Deoliveira
May 5, 2012 Match 5 Dayton Dutch Lions 1–1 Richmond Kickers Bellbrook, Ohio
19:30 EDT Bardsley   2'
Preciado   29'
Bartels   61'
Holloway   75'
DeGroot   90'
Report Hiroyama   54'
Bulow   90' (pen.)
Stadium: Miami Valley South Stadium
Attendance: 1,012
Referee: Andrey Castel
May 12, 2012 Match 6 Richmond Kickers 2–2 Harrisburg City Islanders Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Delicâte   8'
Agorsor   11'   78'
Report Noone   9'
Pelletier   44'
Langley   58'
Ekra   80'
Welker   89'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,273
Referee: Andrew Chapin
May 19, 2012 Match 7 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1–1 Richmond Kickers Bridgeville, Pennsylvania
19:00 EDT Smith   45'
Harada   69'
Report Pascale   31'
Delicâte   71'
Foglesong   77'
Stadium: Chartiers Valley High School
Attendance: 897
Referee: John Douglass
May 26, 2012 Match 8 Richmond Kickers 3–1 Wilmington Hammerheads Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Bulow   69'
Agorsor   90'
Agorsor   90'
Report Budnyy   18' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,346
Referee: Matt Franz
June 1, 2012 Match 9 Harrisburg City Islanders 1–1 Richmond Kickers Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
19:00 EDT Brandt   67'
Pettis   79'
Basso   84'
Report Johnson   68'   70' Stadium: Skyline Sports Complex
Referee: Michael Piercey
June 2, 2012 Match 10 Rochester Rhinos 0–1 Richmond Kickers Rochester, New York
19:05 EDT Kirk   13'
Cost   61'
Fernandez   90'
Report Vercollone   5' Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium
Attendance: 5,237
Referee: David Mon
June 9, 2012 Match 11 Richmond Kickers 1–0 Charlotte Eagles Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Bulow   90' Report Grousis   90' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,193
Referee: Mark Gorak
June 15, 2012 Match 12 Wilmington Hammerheads 2–1 Richmond Kickers Wilmington, North Carolina
19:30 EDT Budnyy   16'
Evans   23'
Hertzog   29'
Cole   38'
Nicholson   65'
Report Agorsor   6' Stadium: Legion Field
Attendance: 3,371
Referee: David McPhun
June 16, 2012 Match 13 Charlotte Eagles 4–1 Richmond Kickers Charlotte, North Carolina
20:00 EDT Thornton   24'
Kabwe   65'
Ferrer   86'
Meza   90+'
Report Agorsor   19'
Vercollone   81'
Stadium: Charlotte Christian Stadium
Attendance: 1,447
Referee: Jordan Shaw
June 23, 2012 Match 14 Richmond Kickers 2–3 Rochester Rhinos Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Vercollone   8'
Callahan   45'
Yeisley   81'
Pascale   90'
Report Brito   27'
Earls   42'
Tanke   59'
Hoxie   85'
Banks   90'
Nicht   90'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,365
Referee: Shawn Fitch
July 3, 2012 Match 15 Richmond Kickers 1–0 Los Angeles Blues Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Heins   66' Report Russell   60'
Miller   79'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,424
Referee: Charles Carson
July 7, 2012 Match 16 Wilmington Hammerheads 1–0 Richmond Kickers Wilmington, North Carolina
19:30 EDT Parratt   20'
Hertzog   66'
Musa   73'
Report Heins   23'
Kalungi   45'   86'
Delicâte   73'
Stadium: Legion Field
Attendance: 3,909
Referee:   Abbes Mansour-Hafifi
July 13, 2012 Match 17 Richmond Kickers 3–1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT William   37'
Calvano   45' (o.g.)
Delicâte   73'   86' (pen.)
Report Kassel   56'   90' (pen.)
Smith   69'
Costanzo   90+2'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,641
July 21, 2012 Match 18 Richmond Kickers 2–0 Dayton Dutch Lions Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Heins   11'
Davies   33'
Delicâte   90' (pen.)
Report Williams   48'
DeLass   85'
Bardsley   90'
Jeff DeGroot   90'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,510
Referee: Jim Sadowski
July 27, 2012 Match 19 Charlotte Eagles 1–0 Richmond Kickers Charlotte, North Carolina
19:00 EDT Devon Grousis   23'
Roberts   52'   80'
Report Stadium: Charlotte Christian Stadium
Attendance: 581
Referee: Matt Jozaitis
July 28, 2012 Match 20 Richmond Kickers 2–1 Charlotte Eagles Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT William   13', 56'
Vercollone   42'
Report Herrera   73'   75' Stadium: City Stadium
Referee: Matthew Franz
August 3, 2012 Match 21 Richmond Kickers 2–0 Antigua Barracuda Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT dos Santos   84'
Delicâte   90'
Report Blakely   32' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,907
Referee: Jeff Davis
August 11, 2012 Match 22 Richmond Kickers 2–1 Harrisburg City Islanders Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Nyazamba   13'
Agorsor   44'
Kalungi   56'
Yomby William   78'
Report Yomby William   15' (o.g.)
Welker   86'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,922
Referee: Bill Dittmar
August 17, 2012 Match 23 Antigua Barracuda 0–1 Richmond Kickers Saint George Parish, Antigua and Barbuda
19:00 EDT Blakely   47'
Christian   71'
Report Bulow   61' Stadium: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Attendance: 400
Referee: Curtis Charles
August 19, 2012 Match 24 Antigua Barracuda 2–1 Richmond Kickers Saint George Parish, Antigua and Barbuda
19:00 EDT Griffith   1'
Burton   38'
Report Agorsor   90+2' Stadium: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Attendance: 381
Referee: Brian Willet

USL Pro Playoffs

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August 25, 2012 (2012-08-25) First round Richmond Kickers 2–3 Wilmington Hammerheads Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Yeisley   12'
Elcock   79'
Report
Report
Briggs   57'
Chirishian   69'
Perry   72'
Guzman   90'
Parratt   90+3'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,441
Referee: Charles Carson

U.S. Open Cup

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May 29, 2012 Third round Richmond Kickers   1–2 (a.e.t.)   D.C. United Richmond, Virginia
19:00 EDT Nyazamba   45' (pen.) Report Salihi   24'
Saragosa   107'
Kitchen   111'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,014
Referee: Kai Goodrich

Statistics

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Appearances and goals

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No. Pos Nat Player Total Regular Season[11] Playoffs[12] U.S. Open Cup[13][14]
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
0 GK   USA Josh Pantazelos 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 GK   ENG Ryan Jones 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 DF   CMR Yomby William 20 4 18 4 1 0 1 0
3 DF   USA Shane Johnson 22 1 19 1 1 0 2 0
4 DF   USA Luke Vercollone 27 2 24 2 1 0 2 0
5 MF   USA Ryan Heins 26 2 23 2 1 0 2 0
7 FW   ENG Matthew Delicâte 21 5 19 5 1 0 1 0
8 MF   BRA Gerson dos Santos 26 2 23 1 1 0 2 1
9 MF   JPN Nozomi Hiroyama 22 1 19 0 1 0 2 1
10 MF   USA David Bulow 20 4 19 4 0 0 1 0
11 MF   USA Edson Elcock 20 1 18 0 1 1 1 0
14 MF   USA Bobby Foglesong 13 0 12 0 0 0 1 0
15 MF   USA Chris Agorsor 24 8 21 6 1 0 2 2
16 FW   SCO Ross MacKenzie 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
17 FW   USA Jason Yeisley 22 2 19 1 1 1 2 0
18 FW   CHN Long Tan 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
19 MF   USA Michael Burke 8 0 7 0 1 0 0 0
20 MF   CAN Philippe Davies 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
21 MF   USA Michael Callahan 17 0 16 0 0 0 1 0
22 GK   USA Ronnie Pascale 27 0 24 0 1 0 2 0
23 DF   GER Sascha Görres 27 1 24 1 1 0 2 0
24 DF   USA Ethan White 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
25 DF   UGA Henry Kalungi 19 0 17 0 1 0 1 0
99 MF   ZIM Stanley Nyazamba 21 4 19 3 1 0 1 1

Top scorers

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Ranking Position Nation Number Name USL Pro U.S. Open Cup Playoffs Total
1 FW   15 Christopher Agorsor 6 2 0 8
2 FW   7 Matthew Delicâte 5 0 0 5
3 DF   2 Yomby William 4 0 0 4
MF   10 David Bulow 4 0 0 4
MF   99 Stanley Nyazamba 3 1 0 4
4 DF   4 Luke Vercollone 2 0 0 2
MF   5 Ryan Heins 2 0 0 2
MF   8 Gerson dos Santos 1 1 0 2
FW   17 Jason Yeisley 1 0 1 2
5 DF   3 Shane Johnson 1 0 0 1
MF   9 Nozomi Hiroyama 0 1 0 1
MF   11 Edson Elcock 0 0 1 1
DF   23 Sascha Görres 1 0 0 1

Disciplinary record

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Position Nation Number Name USL Pro USL Pro Playoffs Open Cup Total (USSF Total)
               
TOTALS

Transfers

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No. Pos. Player Transferred from Fee/notes Date Source
17 FW   Jason Yeisley   Pittsburgh Riverhounds Free December 6, 2011 [5]
3 DF   Shane Johnson   Longwood Lancers Free March 9, 2012 [15]
15 FW   Chris Agorsor   Real Salt Lake Free April 26, 2012 [16]
20 MF   Philippe Davies   Vancouver Whitecaps Free July 13, 2012 [17]
No. Pos. Player Transferred to Fee/notes Date Source
12 MF   Shaka Bangura Anagennisi Dherynia Free January 12, 2012 [18]
12 MF   Jamel Wallace Wilmington Hammerheads Free February 15, 2013 [19]
15 MF   Evan Harding Unattached
17 MF   Dave Hertel Unattached

Loan in

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No. Pos. Player Loaned from Start End Source
24 DF   Ethan White   D.C. United Loan June 14, 2012 [20]
18 FW   Long Tan   D.C. United Loan July 13, 2012 [21]

Loan out

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No. Pos. Player Loaned to Start End Source
25 DF   Henry Kalungi   Proline October 3, 2011 February 3, 2012 [22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Official Match Information: Richmond Kickers 0–3 Orlando City". United Soccer Leagues. USLPro.USLSoccer.com. August 27, 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  2. ^ Barnhart, Gerald (July 8, 2011). "2011 U.S. Open Cup: Richmond Kickers are 'The Last Men Standing'". TheCup.us. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  3. ^ "Kickers surprise MLS foe in U.S. Open Cup third-round match". Richmond Times–Dispatch. June 28, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  4. ^ Dorr, Jr., Vic (July 14, 2011). "Kickers show grit in victory". Richmond Times–Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Kickers Land Yeisley: Former FC Dallas and USL PRO All-League Star Signs with Richmond". RichmondKickers.com. December 6, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  6. ^ "Kickers Pro Tryouts Jan 20–22". RichmondKickers.com. September 30, 2011. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  7. ^ "Preseason Schedule Announced: Local Favorites, NCAA Champions and ACC Powerhouse Featured". RichmondKickers.com. January 30, 2012. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  8. ^ "Goerres' Late Goal Lifts Kickers". USL Pro. USLSoccer.com. April 14, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  9. ^ "Draw with Richmond keeps Orlando City undefeated". WFTV 9 News. WFTV.com. April 30, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  10. ^ See Rule 2.11 League Regulations
  11. ^ "Richmond Kickers 2012 Statistics". uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  12. ^ "Official Match Information Wilmington Hammerheads at Richmond Kickers". uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  13. ^ LaRoue, Jimmy. "2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Richmond Kickers defeat Aegean Hawks 4-0 to earn rematch with DC United". thecup.us. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  14. ^ "KICKERS FALL IN OPEN CUP". richmondkickers.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  15. ^ "KICKERS BOLSTER DEFENSE". richmondkickers.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  16. ^ "NEED FOR SPEED". richmondkickers.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  17. ^ "KICKERS SIGN THREE". richmondkickers.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  18. ^ "Δεύτερη μετεγγραφική περίοδος / ενημέρωση". sigmalive.com/. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  19. ^ "Hammerheads Head to Turkey for Preseason Tour". wilmingtonhammerheads.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  20. ^ "Ethan White loaned to the Richmond Kickers". dcunited.com. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  21. ^ "Trio loaned out for weekend matches". dcunited.com. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  22. ^ "Kalungi Goes On Loan To Proline". United Soccer Leagues. USLPro.USLSoccer.com. October 3, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.