Joshua Kirkland took the long route to becoming part of his hometown Richmond Kickers.

The Richmond, Va. native competed locally for the Richmond Strikers and Deep Run High School during his youth career before becoming a standout at local NCAA Division III Mary Washington University, earning All-America honors.

The Kickers brought him in as a trialist last preseason, and after he competed in exhibitions for the side and with the Charlottesville Blues in USL League Two last summer, they signed him to his first pro deal shortly before the USL League One roster freeze last September.

On April 19, before another packed house at City Stadium, Kirkland’s patience finally paid off.

Coming into a tied game with half-an-hour to go, the 24-year-old bagged his first professional goal just four minutes after entering the game, and then struck a dramatic equalizer in the ninth minute of stoppage time to cap a wild 4-4 draw against Westchester SC.

“After I scored, I kind of blacked out,” said Kirkland postgame, “but seeing everyone celebrate, clapping, screaming my name, I mean, that’s what I've dreamed of ever since I joined the team.”

For his breakout performance, Kirkland is April’s Prinx Impact Sub of the Month, a new series highlighting key substitutions that have changed the course of a game for a side.

Over the years, the Kickers have become a landing spot for numerous local products who now compete in their colors, including Academy graduates like Griffin Garnett, who last year was nominated for the League One Young Player of the Year award.

Kirkland is now making his mark in their ranks as the side pushes forward in the current campaign.

“Seeing all the red celebrating and going crazy, I can’t describe the feeling,” said Kirkland. “It’s definitely an awesome moment.”

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