The Richmond Kickers defeated in-state rival Northern Virginia FC 2-0 in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday at City Stadium in Richmond, Va. The Kickers scored in the 31st and 89th minutes and kept a clean sheet in cold weather as fans filled the stands for the team’s first home match of the 2026 season.
Match Summary
The Kickers controlled possession for much of the first half and tested Northern Virginia FC’s defense with several shots on goal. The opening goal came in the 31st minute after Dakota Barnathan sent the ball through the defense and Josh Kirkland won the footrace to the keeper, finishing to give Richmond the lead.
After that, both teams defended strongly until the closing minutes. Newly signed forward Lucca Dourado scored in the 89th minute to make it 2-0 and send the crowd home happy. The Kickers’ defense held Northern Virginia FC scoreless for the full match.
Player Highlights
Josh Kirkland scored the first home goal of Richmond’s 2026 season, capitalizing on a forward ball from Dakota Barnathan. Kirkland’s run and finish broke the deadlock and gave Richmond control.
Lucca Dourado, a recent signing, scored his first goal as a Kicker in the 89th minute to seal the victory. The defense and goalkeeper completed the performance by keeping a clean sheet against a local rival.
Coach Reaction
Head coach Darren Sawatzky praised the team’s effort and called the result a starting point. He used a house-building analogy to describe the team’s progress, saying the win gave the club a foundation but that more work lies ahead. “If the foundation is strong then you can put walls up… We have work to do. I’ve won a lot of games here and I’m going to win a lot more here. So I’m really just proud of the guys,” Sawatzky said.
Match Results
The following table summarizes the key result from the first-round match.
| Team | Opponent | Score | Event | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Kickers | Northern Virginia FC | 2–0 | U.S. Open Cup, First Round | City Stadium, Richmond, Va. | Tuesday (first home match of 2026 season) |
The Kickers return to City Stadium for their regular season home opener on Saturday, March 21 at 6 p.m. They will host FC Naples as they continue their early-season schedule and build on the foundation from this U.S. Open Cup win.
Report prepared by Sports Preferred.
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