#1 Richmond Kickers vs. #4 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

Venue: City Stadium; Richmond, Va.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Weather: Sunny, 60°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #RICvCHA | #USLPlayoffs

Two wins away from claiming their first league championship since winning the USL Second Division title in 2009, the #1 Richmond Kickers (14-7-9, 1st) open their playoff campaign against #4 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (12-11-7, 4th) which seeks its first trophy since its inception in 2019.

The Kickers ended the regular season on an impressive nine-match unbeaten run - their longest such run since reeling off 10 unbeaten during the 2016 USL season - to lock up the top seed. A strong second half of the season propelled Chattanooga to a home playoff match in the quarterfinals where the Red Wolves were able to knock off the reigning champion Owls in extra time.

Richmond begins its playoff campaign on the heels of one of the most prolific seasons in League One history. Strong on both ends of the pitch, the Kickers scored the most regular-season goals in league history while also racking up the best save percentage in league history at 0.75. Additionally, the attacking duo of MVP candidates Emiliano Terzaghi and Jonathan Bolanos has proven nearly unstoppable this season.

Right behind Richmond in production, Chattanooga's offense was lethal in 2022. The Red Wolves possess one of the best offensive weapons in Juan Galindrez whose 0.73 goals per 90 minutes mark led all players. Also, Chattanooga recorded the second-best goal differential against playoff-bound teams at +4 and was tied for the second-most points earned against that group at 21.

Players to Watch

RIC - Emiliano Terzaghi: Terzaghi will likely be the difference in Richmond's postseason push. The three-time Golden Boot winner and reigning back-to-back MVP became the first player in league history to score 10-plus goals in three or more seasons.

CHA - Daniel Navarro: Despite missing half of the regular season, Navarro helped Chattanooga to a strong second half of the campaign. The defender was named to the All-League First Team, and is a Defender of the Year finalist. Navarro will likely be called upon quite a lot in Richmond as the 31-year-old defender will be tasked with containing the Kickers' potent offense. 

Season Series

April 16: Chattanooga 1, Richmond 0

• CHA Espinoza - 50'

June 1: Richmond 3, Chattanooga 0

• RIC Aune - 35'
• RIC Crisler - 38'
• RIC Baima - 45+2'

Sept. 17: Chattanooga 2, Richmond 2

• RIC Terzaghi (Penalty) - 43'
• RIC Gordon - 51'
• CHA Espinoza - 69'
• CHA Mehl - 78'

All-time series: 7-3-1, CHA (2019)