Kickers open with Pro-Am Challenge

The defending USL Second Division Champions Richmond Kickers will open the season with the first Pro-Am Challenge featuring NCAA Champion University of Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, April 3.

The 2010 USL Second Division regular season commences two weeks later against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday, April 17. The Kickers will call the University of Richmond Stadium home during the entire 2010 season.

The Kickers welcome the University of Virginia men’s soccer team to open their 18th season in a unique Pro-Am Challenge pitting the USL Second Division Champions against the NCAA Champions on Saturday, April 3. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium.

The Cavaliers captured their sixth NCAA Championship, and first since 1994, with a 3-2 penalty kick shootout win over Akron in the NCAA Championship final last December. The Cavaliers (19-3-3) ended the season on a 16-game unbeaten streak.

The defending champions Kickers will compete alongside USL-2 opponents Charlotte Eagles, Charleston Battery, Harrisburg City Islanders, Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Real Maryland Monarchs. Former USL-2 foes Bermuda Hogges and Western Mass Pioneers have realigned with the Premier Development League for the 2010 campaign.

Playing a 20-game schedule, the Kickers will face each team home and away twice. In 2010, the regular season will run for 18 weeks, kicking off the weekend of April 17 and concluding August 14.

The Kickers will take home field advantage at the University of Richmond Stadium (just off the Downtown Expressway) for the entire 2010 home season, including the preseason exhibition featuring the University of Virginia. Ten of the Kickers 11 home games will be played on Saturdays with the only exception being a match against the Charlotte Eagles on Friday, May 21.

General admission tickets for the Pro-Am Challenge, featuring the University of Virginia, are $12 for adults and $7 for youth and are on sale now via RichmondKickers.com.

Regular season home games will remain $12 for adults and $7 for youth ages 3-17 for the third consecutive season. Order tickets in advance via RichmondKickers.com and receive a $2 discount per ticket.

The Kickers will continue to offer an affordable and convenient single season pass, which includes admission to every 2010 regular season home game. Types of passes include the 2010 Family Pass ($119), All-Access Pass ($90) Adult Pro Pass ($55) or Youth Pro Pass ($20, ages 3-17).

Fans who order their 2010 season passes by Feb. 5 may purchase tickets to the UVa. Exhibition for just $7. Please note: Adult Pro Passes, Youth Pro Passes, Family Passes, Coach Passes and Flexi-Tickets will not be accepted at the UVA exhibition on April 3.

Richmond Kickers 2010 Pro Schedule
Sat, April 3 University of Virginia* 4 p.m.
Sat, April 17 Harrisburg City Islanders 7 p.m.
Sat., April 24 Charlotte Eagles 7 p.m.
Sat., May 1 @ Real Maryland Monarchs 6:30 p.m.
Sun., May 2 @ Pittsburgh Riverhounds 3 p.m.
Sat., May 8 Real Maryland Monarchs 7 p.m.
Sun., May 16 @ Real Maryland Monarchs 6:30 p.m.
Fri., May 21 Charlotte Eagles 7 p.m.
Sat., May 29 Pittsburg Riverhounds 7 p.m.
Sat., June 5 Charleston Battery 7 p.m.
Fri., June 11 @ Charleston Battery 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jun 19 @ Harrisburg City Islanders 7 p.m.
Sat., June 26 @ Charlotte Eagles 7 p.m.
Sat., July 3 Charleston Battery 1 p.m.
Fri., July 9 @ Charleston Battery 7:30 p.m.
Sat., July 10 @ Charlotte Eagles 8 p.m.
Thurs, July 15 @ Pittsburgh Riverhounds 7 p.m.
Sat., July 24 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 7 p.m.
Sat., July 31 Harrisburgh City Islanders 7 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 7 @ Harrisburg City Islanders 7 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 14 Real Maryland Monarchs 7 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 21 USL Second Division Semifinals
Sat., Aug. 28 USL Second Division Championship
*Exhibition