Richmond Kickers notebook

By: | Times-Dispatch
Published: August 28, 2009

Jones uncertain for USL-2 title game

Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw says the chances are "50-50, probably," that defender Kelvin Jones will be available for tomorrow's USL-2 title match against the Charlotte Eagles.

Jones, who started 66 games for the Kickers between 2006-2008 before moving into a reserve role this year, is nursing a troublesome ankle injury. Cowlishaw said the injury, a high sprain, is requiring "a longer recovery than we anticipated."

Jones didn't participate in last Saturday's semifinal victory over Harrisburg.

Kickers are capable of going the distance

Seven Kickers played all 120 minutes of the 1-0 semifinal conquest of Harrisburg, but Cowlishaw said he is not concerned about weary legs or minds in tomorrow's winner-take-all showdown with Charlotte.

"No, no. Not at all. In fact, I think the reverse will be true," he said.

Cowlishaw said the quality of his team's effort is a reflection of its conditioning. Richmond, pushing from start to finish, outshot Harrisburg 28-9 and created a 14-5 imbalance in corner kicks. Cowlishaw said his club was sharp throughout the semifinal, even though "we maybe made it more difficult than we needed to by not finishing" before Matthew Delicate scored in the last minute of the second overtime period.

Confidence notwithstanding, Cowlishaw chose not to take unnecessary chances in training this week. He gave the Kickers a day off Monday and sent them through a light workout Tuesday.

Swinehart's farewell could boost Eagles

Forward Dustin Swinehart appeared in 12 matches as a Kicker (four in 2004, eight in 2005). He scored a goal and an assist during that span. His impact during the past 12 seasons in Charlotte -- he was on loan to Richmond in'04 and'05 -- has been considerably more significant: 135 goals, seven of which have occurred this year.

Swinehart, 35, announced earlier this month that the 2009 season will be his last as a pro. Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale said Swinehart's imminent departure could work in Charlotte's favor tomorrow night.

"I'm sure [the Eagles] will use it as motivation," Pascale said. "I'm sure they'd like nothing better than to win a championship for him and send him out on top."

Quick kicks . . .

Richmond is playing for a league championship for the fifth time in the past eight seasons. . . . Tickets for tomorrow's contest at UR Stadium are $15 (adult and youth). . . . The league's top individual awards will be announced at tonight's pre-championship banquet. Kickers announced as finalists include Delicate (most valuable player), Cowlishaw (coach of the year) and Yomby William (defender of the year) . . . Pascale was saluted earlier in the week as USL-2's goalkeeper of the year . . . Fox Soccer Channel's tape-delay coverage of tomorrow's match will begin at 11 p.m. -- Vic Dorr Jr.