Kickers to step down
Team's move to lower USL division designed to save on travel costs

BY JERRY LINDQUIST
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Oct 25, 2005


It's official: The Richmond Kickers will announce today they are
leaving the United Soccer League's First Division for the Second
Division.

Shortly after losing to Seattle in the USLFD championship game
Oct.1, Kickers management suggested a switch was probable. Late last
week, the club informedseason ticket holders of the change,
effective immediately.

Kickers representatives will go to the USL's winter meetings,
starting Thursday in Tampa, as members of the USLSD. It will remain
a nine-team circuit, with Richmond replacing the Woodbridge-based
Northern Virginia Royals. They reportedly will join the amateur
Premier Development League.

The Kickers' decision is about saving money for a project that's
being discussed. Club President Tom Depcrynski called financial
losses since the Kickers joined the A League (now USLFD) nine years
ago "significant." The USL's decision last winter to make the 12-
team First Division a single table, increasing travel costs,
prompted ownership to take a hard look at stepping down.

Depcrynski said the Kickers will cut their players' budget in half.
That, along with being able to make most, if not all, trips on the
club-owned "Kickermobile" would make USLSD more realistic in the
long term.

The Charlotte (N.C.) Eagles won the USLSD title last season over the
Western Massachusetts (Ludlow) Pioneers. Other teams -- always
subject to change -- are the Wilmington (N.C.) Hammerheads,
Pittsburgh Riverhounds, New Hampshire (Manchester) Phantoms, Long
Island (N.Y.) Rough Riders, Harrisburg (Pa.) City Islanders and
Cincinnati Kings. Charlotte, Long Island and Pittsburgh previously
were members of the USL's top division.

The Kickers will play 20 league games, 10 home and away, from April
to August. They also hope to meet the USLFD Virginia Beach Mariners
twice. Defending MLS champion D.C. United will come to University of
Richmond Stadium for an exhibition game.

Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw expects about a dozen players from
this year's team to return. Defenders Peter Luzak and Chris Fox
retired. Kevin Jeffrey, who holds the club record for goals (20) and
points (50) in a season (2001), isn't likely to be re-signed.
Cowlishaw said Joey Worthen is in camp with his hometown Real Salt
Lake of MLS. And FC Dallas of MLS is taking a look at Matthew
Delicate, the Kickers' leading scorer (12 goals, 26 points).

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