Richmond Kickers: Gateway to MLS

[AreliusIII]

Former Kickers players who have advanced to MLS include

Mike Clark (Columbus Crew),
Dwayne DeRosario (San Jose Earthquakes),
Brian Kamler (D.C. United, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution),
Brian Bates (Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn),
Scott Budnick (Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny),
Scott Cannon (Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Tampa Bay Mutiny),
Jeff Causey (New England Revolution, D.C. United),
Ben Crawley (D.C. United),
Danny Care (D.C. United),
Ted Gillen (NY/NJ Metrostars),
Gary Glasgow (Kansas City Wizards),
Onandi Lowe (Kansas City Wizards),
Mike McGinty (D.C. United),
Mark Simpson (D.C. United),
Todd Yeagley (Columbus Crew),
Ihor Dotsenko (Kansas City Wizards),
Rob Ukrop (New England Revolution),
Richie Williams (D.C. United, NY/NJ Metrostars),
David Testo (Columbus Crew) and
Clyde Simms (D.C. United).

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3234853

[SoccerPrime]

Too bad Kickers are now in USL Division 2.

I think their days of being a MLS Gateway are over.

[AreliusIII]

The USL Second Division serves as the foundation of the professional structure and its regional focus allows professional soccer to exist in smaller markets, while providing premium soccer and exciting competition.

Sterbenz adds, “Just as USL1 has crept closer to the standard of Major League Soccer, USL2 has gained strength and is right on the heels of the quality of which the USL First Division offers.

Since the club’s inception, the Kickers have fielded a competitive team at all levels of the USL including the Premier Development League (1993-1995), USL Second Division (1996) and USL First Division (1997-2005).

http://www.richmondkickers.com/home/111980.html

The Kickers will be a welcome addition to the second division, bolstering the number of teams from 9 to 10.
http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/index_E.html

[SoccerPrime]

Thats all Company-Speak.

Reality is that with the Kickers in USL2 with a smaller budget, they will not attract the Clyde Simms any more.

Budgets in the USL1 are in the millions, USL2 can be as low as 200k.

[prk166]

That's a bummer that Richmond dropped down a league. Didn't Charlotte do that 2 - 3 years ago?

[SoccerPrime]

Originally Posted by prk166

That's a bummer that Richmond dropped down a league. Didn't Charlotte do that 2 - 3 years ago?

Yes they did.

It will probably work out for the Kickers (budget wise) but talent-wise, no way.

I am sure players like Worthen are either going to RSL or some other USL1 or MLS team.