Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw, thank you very much for your time with this interview for USOpenCup.com

 

Out of all the matches you have played for & managed the Richmond Kickers, as well as a boy back in England supporting your favorite football club, have you ever seen such an explosion of goals by your side as well as the entire match?

 

We have come close on a couple of occasions the 7-2 score vs Reading Rage in the Cup comes to mind.  However this game was unique as it was a rollercoaster of emotions.  Within 3 minutes we were a goal down.  Within 25 minutes we were 4-1 up and seemed to be cruising to victory.  Then all credit to Ocean City as they fought back to 4-3.  Once the 5^th goal went in we knew it was essentially game over.

 

Ocean City strikes first and early in the 4th minute. You must be thinking we will get the equalizer, then McColm Cephas registers a Hat Trick. How big was that in the first half?

 

Even after the early goal against I knew we were going to create numerous chances.  We were passing very cleanly, the movement of the front two and midfield was excellent. The goal was a wake up call as for the next 25 minutes we played some fantastic soccer.  In all honesty we maybe could have scored a couple more.  The 4 goals settled everyone down and our confidence grew from that point on.

 

The half time score is 4-2 in favor of Richmond. Your side must be feeling pretty good coming back on to the pitch and ready to either hold the lead or add on to it, then a penalty was awarded to Ocean City & converted by Tony Donatelli in the 54th minute. Did panic set in and what was the mood in the stadium after the penalty was converted?

 

There was a feeling of disbelief from the players and fans.  There was certainly physical contact between the two players however the ball was not even close to the Ocean City forward when he fell down.  In my experience the referee usually waives play on.  So I along with the fans was surprised when the referee pointed to the spot. At 4-3 we were still in the lead and creating chances so I felt comfortable we would still progress.

 

 

Of course Kevin Jefferey would give back the two goal lead in the 69th minute and the rest of the club would also make sure that the lead wouldn't get squandered. As a manager that must have made you feel pretty good as well as a big sigh of relief that Ocean City never got any decent chance to get back into the match.

 

They did have one golden opportunity at 4-3.  But once the 5^th goal was scored I knew we would win the game.

 

A modern day record in the US Open Cup as both the Richmond Kickers of USL-1st Division & the Ocean City Barons of the PDL score a combined total of 12 goals. I bet Ronnie Pascale & Ryan Carr of Ocean City were looking at each other and Carr was probably gonna ask Pascale where the closet pub was and grab a pint after this match.

 

Yes, it was not the greatest day to be a goalkeeper.  The combination of too many games running up to the match and some outstanding attacking play resulted in such a bizarre scoreline.

 

 

McColm Cephas has a hat trick & Sascha Gorres with four assists. Have these two contributed to the Kickers offense on a regular basis in USL-1st Division play? Or has this been just a freakish night?

 

Cephas was our leading scorer last year.  He has been hampered by injury all season so it was great to see him finally get off the mark.  We expect great things from him through the final part of the season.  Sascha has an exceptional left foot and considering it is his rookie season he has been a wonderful addition to our squad.  I would expect MLS teams to be following his and several other of our younger players with great interest.

 

As you may know the Minnesota Thunder of USL-1st Division & Real Salt Lake of MLS combined for a total of ten goals, and Jason Kries earned a Hat Trick in the loss for RSL. You might have to say thank goodness for that lightning storm on the 13th of July so you could steal the thunder six days later.

 

With our upcoming game versus Rochester on Friday we would have still preferred to play on the original date.

 

Now your side will be hosting 1996 US Open Cup Champion & 1997 runner up DC United in the 4th round on your pitch. Currently they are without Alecko Eskandarian due to a concussion, but young phenom Freddy Adu, the surprise signing of last season Christian Gomez, as well as Jaime Moreno will be your problems on August 3rd.

 

They are the MLS champions and the best team in the country it will be a massive challenge for us and we are looking forward to.  

 

Nick Rimando is a very athletic keeper who loves to leap and perform acrobatic saves, what can your coaches do to inform your players to keep him grounded?

 

I hope he is required to make numerous acrobatic saves.

 

You know your not so far away from the nations capital, have the big DC United Supporters in the Screaming Eagles & the Barra Brava ever been louder than your supporters?

 

I remember in the early years that was the case but certainly not in any our recent match-ups

 

So many supporters who love the US Open Cup want to change the format. Currently MLS and USL-1st Division were given automatic bids this season. USL-2nd Division & PDL clubs had to play their regular season matches that doubled as qualifying matches for spots in the 1st & 2nd Rounds of the US Open Cup. If you were a member of the competition committee what changes would you make? 

 

In an ideal scenario MLS and USL should enter at the same time.  I would also prefer to see results from last season determine qualification for the following season.  I know MLS does this and USL 1 followed the same format this season.  I would love to see a March Madness type of scenario where for say two weeks the top 16 teams compete for the cup.  I know it would be easier for the fans/media to follow. I realize however that at this stage of the sports development there are too many prohibitive factors to make this a reality.

 

In 1995 the Richmond Kickers won their very first US Open Cup lifting the Thomas R. Dewer cup. You were part of that championship season as well as winning the USL Premier League championship. A USL Double championship. What experiences can you share from that magical season and what have you told your players?

 

That team was built to win.  We had fierce competitors such as Mike Clarke, Richie Williams, Rob Ukrop, Ben Crawley.  We also had a wonderful coach in Dennis Viollet. He still is a Manchester United legend and was the quintessential gentleman.  Practice was always volatile as we played often and we all hated being on the losing team.  I would like to think we try to replicate that type of environment with the current Kickers squad.   

 

Leigh Cowlishaw, thank you for your time and good luck in the rest of the season in the USL-1st Division & the 4th round of the US Open Cup.

 

Richmond Kickers record vesus DC United