RICHMOND, Va. - New England Revolution II netted four goals for the first time in club history to earn a lopsided 4-0 win over Richmond Kickers on Saturday night at City Stadium.

Just after Richmond's first big chance of the match in the 21st minute, New England went straight up to the other end of the pitch and took the lead. The Kickers couldn't get the ball cleared following a corner, and Orlando Sinclair's header deflected off Kyle Venter and in for an unfortunate own goal.

Things then went from bad to worse for Richmond when Mutaya Mwape was penalized for bringing down Tiago Mendonca in the box. Nicolas Firmino perfectly dispatched the ensuing spot kick to his left-hand corner, putting Revolution II up 2-0 at the break.

The Kickers came out of the locker room hungry to get back in the game, and they would have done so in the 53rd minute if not for a fantastic save by New England's Keegan Meyer to deny Emiliano Terzaghi from close range.

Even as Richmond pressed forward, New England defended well as a team. Another own goal and a fantastic individual effort from Damian Rivera put the game well beyond reach for the Kickers late on, and Revolution II ran out clear winners.

The loss is certainly damaging to Richmond in the postseason race, but the Kickers remain in second place for the time being and still have their destiny in their own hands having played less games than the teams around them.

It was a truly stunning performance from Revolution II, as New England recorded its third consecutive shutout win. Clint Peay's side has now beaten all of the top three teams in the table, and though it sits in 10th place is only six points back of Richmond and very much alive on the fringes of the battle for second.

SCORING SUMMARY 

• NE (23'): Venter (own goal)
• NE (31'): Firmino (third), penalty kick
• NE (81') Kwesele (own goal)
• NE (83') Rivera (first), assisted by Malango

NEXT MATCHES

Richmond Kickers: October 7 v. Orlando City B (H)
New England Revolution II: October 9 v. Fort Lauderdale CF (H)