The 2022 Richmond Kickers season was the club's 30th season of existence, their fourth season in USL League One, and their 18th season in the third tier of American soccer. The Kickers were led by third-year head coach, Darren Sawatzky. The USL League One season started on April 2 and concluded on October 15, 2022.
The Kickers had their strongest regular season showing since 2013, winning the USL League One regular season title. The Kickers finished the season with 51 total points, five clear of second place, with 14 wins, seven losses, and nine draws. Striker, Emiliano Terzaghi, for the third season, led the Kickers and USL League One in goals with 18 goals.
Outside of USL League One, the Kickers participated in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, and the 2022 USL League One Playoffs, for their first-place finish during the regular season. The Kickers reached the fourth round of the Open Cup, before losing to Major League Soccer expansion side, Charlotte FC. The Kickers will begin the Playoffs in the semifinal round on October 29.
Background
The Kickers began the 2021 season in April due to the ongoing issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the regular season had the Kickers routinely along the playoff line, before a six-match winning streak in September saw the club finish in fifth place, and qualify for the USL Playoffs, marking the first time since 2016 the Kickers qualified for the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Kickers were eliminated by FC Tucson in the opening round.
Striker Emiliano Terzaghi was the league's top scorer, scoring 18 goals.
Transfers
Transfers in
Date Position No. Name From Fee/notes Ref.December 14, 2021MF8 Ethan Bryant San Antonio FCLoan option exercisedDecember 16, 2021FW9 Matt Bentley LeatherheadFreeJanuary 20, 2022DF22 Stephen Payne VilaverdenseFreeJanuary 25, 2022DF5 Stuart Ritchie Hannover 96FreeFebruary 3, 2022MF11 Leonardo Baima Central NorteFreeFebruary 8, 2022MF27 Chandler O'Dwyer Christian Brothers BuccaneersFreeFebruary 9, 2022MF99 Vincenzo Candela TormentaFree February 10, 2022 DF 2 Dakota Barnathan FC Tucson Free February 15, 2022 MF 20 Christian Molina Union Omaha Free February 17, 2022GK29 Eli Mumford Richmond Kickers AcademyAcademy contract February 22, 2022 MF 4 Simon Fitch VCU Rams Free March 31, 2022 FW 23 David Olsen Tacoma Defiance Free
Transfers out Date Position No. Name To Fee/notes Ref.
Date Position No. Name Loan to Until Ref. April 1, 2022 GK 31 Eli Mumford Grove Soccer United End of season
Non-competitive
Preseason exhibitions
Competitive
USL League One
Standings
Results summary
Results by matchday
Match results
USL1 Playoffs
U.S. Open Cup
References