Atlanta Fire takes on Virginia

Both Richmond USSF Academy teams, the Strikers and Kickers, were hosted by Atlanta Fire this past weekend in cross divisional games. The Kickers were first up on Saturday at a wet and soggy EE Robinson Park field. AFU's u-16 dominated the first half wasting several well worked opportunities to take the lead and control of the game. Chris Harrison was subbed in at the half and had an immediate impact causing the Kicker's defense problems. The deadlock was finally broken when a freekick was served up by Lewis Martin and Harrison finished with a well placed header. AFU was able to hold on and win by the single goal with some committed, and organized defending.

The u-18's game was abandoned just after half-time when the referee deemed the conditions unplayable due to heavy rain, lightning, and deteriorating field conditions. The final score a 1-1 stalemate with Ryan King equalizing the Kicker's early goal just before half time. Certainly an opportunity missed by the 18's as the Kicker's had a player red-carded in the first half and seemed to be gaining control of the game when it was called off.

On Sunday the Richmond Strikers provided a very different challenge for AFU. After 38 minutes of even play the Strikers broke through the defense of AFU capitalizing on a defensive error. The 2nd half much was of the same until the final 20 minutes when the Strikers upped the tempo and scored 4 goals to AFU's 1. A disappointing loss but no doubt motivation for next weeks game vs Birmingham.

Atlanta Fire's u-18's were in for a similar day as they started slow and were punished by the Strikers with two early goals within 15 minutes. AFU recovered from the intitial blitz and created some very good chances but Strikers defended resolutely and added to their lead late in the game with two more strikes. A tough day for the u-18's however they remain 2nd in the division 4 points behind the Weston Fury.

Atlanta Fire is hosting division rivlas Birmingham United at SHP this Saturday at 2pm and 4pm respectively. Please come out and and show your support for your AFU Academy teams.