RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Kickers apparently made quite an impression last summer when they hosted Crystal Palace of the English Premier League in an international friendly. Richmond fans get another chance to see an EPL side when West Bromwich Albion comes to City Stadium on July 19. West Brom announced its 2015-2016 preseason schedule Friday morning. The three-game U.S. tour includes matches against Orlando City of MLS (July 15) and the Charleston Battery of USL (July 17).
After selling out last year’s match to an enthusiastic crowd of over 8-thousand fans, Kickers head coach Leigh Cowlishaw began working almost immediately on securing another match for this summer through the same agent who put together the Crystal Palace match.
“We left this weekend (July 18-19) open specifically with the outside chance that another Premier League or international team would want to come in, and it’s worked out great” Cowlishaw said.
It helps that West Brom’s coach is Tony Pulis, who was coach of Crystal Palace last summer. Pulis saw first hand what kind of competition and training conditions his team would encounter in the U.S. and agreed that the Kickers were very good partners.
“We gave them a hell of a game” Cowlishaw said of last year’s 3-0 win by CP. “I think they were really impressed with the competition and that’s exactly what they need. They want tough training. The heat and humidity provide that as well and they want tough games.”
In the past, it was only headlining teams such as Liverpool and Manchester United that ventured across the Atlantic to prepare for their regular season which starts in August. Once other teams realized the benefits, both on and off the field, they began making the trip themselves.
“More and more, you’re seeing teams from the Premiership and teams from all over Europe trying to find a way to make it to the U.S.” Cowlishaw said.
Game time will be 5:30 p.m. on July 19. Tickets are not yet available.
