RICHMOND, Va. - Aging like fine wine, the now 31-year-old Richmond Kickers have increased both their win and points total in each of the past three seasons culminating in a finish atop the league table and the side’s most successful season since 2013. The Kickers topped the table throughout the majority of the 2022 campaign, but despite possessing the Most Valuable Player, the Coach of the Year, the Young Player of the Year and four All-League selections, Darren Sawatzky and the Kickers fell just short of finishing the job in the postseason. That said, the Kickers will return some key contributors as the historic club aims to finish the job - something it's certainly capable of - in its fifth season in League One.

The Kickers constructed one of the most prolific offenses in league history a season ago, accumulating the second-most points and the most goals in a single regular season. Richmond set League One records in points gained from losing positions (21) shot conversion rate (15.7%), goals-minus-expected goals mark (16.52) and an astounding goal differential-minus-expected goal differential mark (+19.89). Individually, Richmond’s attacking stars also shattered single-season league records with Emiliano Terzaghi’s +6.32 goals-minus-expected goals mark and Jonathan Bolanos’ +7.11 assists-minus-expected assists tally. If that’s not enough, Richmond’s backline and goalkeeper combo recorded a league-record 75% denial rate of shots on target faced.

Richmond returns most of its productivity in 2023 but will certainly feel the departures of MVP candidate and Assists Champion Jonathan Bolanos along with Young Player of the Year Ethan Bryant, who were both transferred into MLS systems in the offseason. The Kickers will aim to fill that void with the addition of Grenada international and USL Championship veteran Kharlton Belmar who returns to his native Virginia. Without a doubt, though, the most impactful returnees will be three-time MVP and all-time League One leading scorer Emiliano Terzaghi and 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year and back-to-back All-League selection Akira Fitzgerald.

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