Richmond Kickers notebook

By: Times-Dispatch Staff | Times-Dispatch
Published: January 12, 2011

Pascale returns
for farewell season

Veteran goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale, one of the most popular and effective players in Richmond Kickers history, will rejoin the club in 2011 for his 13th — and apparently last — season of professional soccer.

Pascale, 34, has contemplated retirement following each of the past few seasons. There seems little doubt that he will act upon that inclination following the 2011 campaign.

"This will definitely be [Pascale's] final year," said Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw. "It would be fitting if he could lead the team to another championship."

Pascale, the USL-2 goalkeeper of the year in 2006, '07 and '09, joined the Richmond club in 2000 and became its starter in 2002. He has appeared in 247 games and played more than 22,000 minutes in the Kickers' net. His career statistics include 78 shutouts (nine last year), 974 saves (63 last year) and a 1.13 goals-against average.

Kickers re-sign all-star
midfielder Vercollone

Luke Vercollone, a midfield starter each of the past three seasons, has re-signed with the Kickers for 2011.

Cowlishaw made no attempt to conceal his delight. He called Vercollone, a first-team all-USL-2 performer last year, "the heart and soul of our midfield."

Vercollone, 28, was named seven times to the USL-2 team of the week in 2010. Said Cowlishaw: "He is now reaching the prime years of his career."

Forward Edson Elcock, who scored six goals last year, also will return. Elcock delivered the Kickers' lone goal in their 2-1 loss to Charleston in the USL-2 title match.

Bulow returns
after year's absence

David Bulow, a swift and creative outside attacker, will return to the Kickers this summer after spending a big chunk of the 2010 season with the Real Maryland Monarchs. Bulow scored 30 goals for the Kickers from 2006-2009. He converted an 86th-minute penalty kick and was the man of the match following Richmond's 3-1 victory over Charlotte in the 2009 USL-2 title game.

Bulow, a successful and respected youth and high school coach in Colorado, is expected to actively participate in the Kickers' youth program.

Corner kicks

•Rob Ukrop, the president of the Kickers' board of directors, will be inducted into the Virginia-D.C. Soccer Hall of Fame on Jan. 22 in Arlington. Ukrop played 11 seasons with the Kickers. He still owns club records for career goals (69) and points (167). Former Kickers coach Dennis Viollet will be honored posthumously. The inductions will take place in conjunction with the Virginia Youth Soccer Association's annual awards luncheon.

Vic Dorr Jr.