Kickers to face Latin power

The Richmond Kickers have prepared a zesty dish for local sports fans: soccer seasoned generously with Latin American panache.

The Kickers will play host to one of the most regal teams in Guatemalan National League history, Club Social y Deportivo Communicaciones, on July 25 at University of Richmond Stadium. Richmond coach Leigh Cowlishaw said he and the entire Kickers organization are "ecstatic" about the international exhibition, which will introduce local fans to a club that has won 23 league championships, including the past two.

"We've been working for the last 2-3 years to create something like this -- a match like this, a stage like this -- for the Hispanic community in Richmond," Cowlishaw said. "It's great to finally be able to say, 'OK -- here we go.'"

Club Social y Deportivo Communicaciones has stocked its roster with players from four Latin American nations: Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil and Uruguay. Among those players: forward and team captain Rolando Fonseca, a gifted scorer who has piled up 47 goals while playing with the Costa Rican national team.

Cowlishaw said local fans likely will receive a first-hand look at the flair for which top-drawer Central and South American clubs are known.

"They'll play with a lot of technical proficiency and a lot of creativity," he said.

Bottom line:

"We're looking forward to a fantastic night of soccer."

So is the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

"[Soccer] is such a big part of the Latino culture," said Chamber official Rita Willis. "When you think of the Latino community and you think of sports, first and foremost you think of soccer."

Willis applauded the Kickers organization for its long pursuit of an international exhibition with Hispanic overtones.

Said Willis: "It's something, I think, that will bring the Latino community and the community as a whole together."

Contact Vic Dorr Jr. at (804) 649-6442 or .