Richmond Kickers Shut Out the Red Wolves 3-0.

(press release) Richmond, VA. (June 1st, 2022) – The Red Wolves traveled to Richmond Wednesday night for a midweek match with the Richmond Kickers in a rematch from earlier in the season which saw the Red Wolves pull out a 1-0 victory at CHI Memorial Stadium. The match started brightly for Obleda’s side with a chance coming in the fourth minute courtesy of a Villalobos header, but his effort went wide of the post. Brian Bement would pick up a yellow card in the eighth minute followed by a DJ Benton yellow card in the 31st minute as the Red Wolves fought hard to keep the scores level. After a Tor Saunders save in the 34th
minute, the Kickers would strike first via a corner kick. The Red Wolves defense fought hard to keep the score at one but the Kickers would double their lead only three minutes later as Jalen Crisler headed another corner kick in. Right on the stroke of halftime Richmond would add a third goal as Leonardo
Baima scored from outside the box, giving the home side a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
Manager Jimmy Obleda would start the second half with a triple substitution, bringing on Andres Hernandez, Rafa Mentzingen and Carlos Avilez to give the Red Wolves a new look to turn the tide of the match. The match would slow down a bit in the second half as the Kickers looked to keep the Red Wolves
at bay, leading to Obleda bringing on Pedro Hernandez in place of Aaron Lombardi to add more attacking options on the pitch. Rey Ortiz would take a crack from distance in the 74th minute which looked goal bound, but his effort was saved by Akira Fitzgerald. Carlos Avilez would make a big stop in the 88th
minute on the end of a good half from the keeper off the bench, and the Red Wolves would almost pull one back courtesy of Pedro Hernandez, but his effort would also be saved by Fitzgerald.
The third road match of the season for the Red Wolves would end in a 3-0 defeat, with three goals inside the last ten minutes of the first half proving to be decisive for the Kickers. The next match for the Red Wolves will be at 7:30 EST as Obleda and company return to CHI Memorial Stadium to face Union Omaha.