Sports Focus: Moving Down The Pro Ladder?
Kickers mulling changes Local soccer franchise may shift to lower
level in cost-saving measure

BY JERRY LINDQUIST
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Oct 4, 2005


Having come that close to winning their first United Soccer Leagues
First Division championship, the Richmond Kickers are expected to
leave the USLFD for the less-expensive USL Second Division.

Tom Depcrynski, the Kickers president, admitted yesterday the switch
was under consideration, although "we haven't made a decision - yet."

He said the USLFD was aware of the possibility, "and has given us
every consideration." To wit: The deadline to declare for next
season was August 1, but the league extended it for the Kickers, who
now have until the annual operations meeting Oct. 28-31 in Tampa,
Fla.

"They think we're a great franchise, and they don't want to lose
us," Depcrynski said.

He estimated it takes an annual investment of between $1.2 million
and $1.4 million to operate a successful USLFD franchise. That,
however, includes more than just players' salaries and travel costs.

"We can play in the Second Division for half of what we're spending
now," Depcrynski said. "[And] we have other things planned for the
community that become a part of the decision-making process." He did
not elaborate.

The Kickers have been members of this country's highest-ranking
minor league since 1997. It originally was known as the A League but
was renamed the USLFD this year. Always fluctuating, with franchises
coming and going, it was a 12-team circuit in 2005. Seattle beat
Richmond 2-1 on penalty kicks in Saturday's championship game.

Kickers ownership and management have been contemplating a possible
move ever since the USL decided this season to go to a single-table
entity that required budget-sapping trips to the West Coast. The
Kickers stood alone in their opposition, citing financial concerns
that Depcrynski said proved accurate.

Now, he said, at least four other teams he did not identify "are not
happy with the single table," but they apparently will stick it out
for at least one more season. Is there a potential expansion city
available if Richmond bails? "I don't think so," said Depcrynski,
who is a member of the USLFD executive committee.

The USL Second Division, formerly US Pro Select, operated with nine
teams this season - from as far north as New Hampshire to as far
west as Cincinnati to as far south as Charlotte and Wilmington, N.C.
The Charlotte Eagles were USLSD champions.

Founded in 1993, the Kickers have not been a money-maker, but the
club expanded in the late 1990s to include a youth soccer program
which has grown into one of the area's largest. The pro team will
remain the linchpin around which everything revolves.

"We want to do what is in the best interests for the longevity of
the club, and we plan to be around for a long time," Depcrynski said.

If the Kickers go Second Division, it could mean a number of new
faces in the lineup. Peter Luzak, first-team All A-League defender
in 2004 and second-team in 2005, said his good-byes to teammates
Saturday. Coach Leigh Cowlishaw said he thought the former
University of Richmond star, in his sixth season with the Kickers,
was going to retire from the game and enter the workplace near
Philadelphia.

Veteran defender Chris Fox previously announced his retirement
although he could change his mind. Forward Kevin Jeffrey, who holds
the club's single-season records for goals (20) and points (50) set
in 2003, is out of contract and not expected to return.

"If we went to D2, I would take the approach that it would be my
responsibility to provide a DI team in D2," Cowlishaw said.

It was a strange season that just was for the Kickers, who opened
fast, ran into an uncommonly-long cold spell (0-4-9) then whipped
Rochester to reach the final for the second time in four years. They
had the winning PK on their foot in Seattle and couldn't convert.

"There were so many highs and lows it was amazing. There were times
when there was total despair. 'Wow, this is no fun at all.' But, the
beautiful thing is, in the end, they came through it and played
their best when it mattered," Cowlishaw said. "They came within a
millimeter of winning it all, but it just wasn't meant to be, for
whatever reason."

Contact Jerry Lindquist at (804) 649-6323 or
jlindquist@...