The Official Website of Adrian Bumbut

Our week started pretty well. We scrimmaged University of Richmond on Tuesday winning the game without any problems. It was a good practice game for both teams especially for us having our opening game on Saturday.
First game of the season against Western Mass. Good first half from both sides ending 0-0 after 45 minutes. Second half we took control of the game with Ben “can’t teach that mate” Hunter delievering some great balls in the box for Catalano and then Burky to put us up 2-0. The game finished 3-0 last game coming of a penalty kick. Next game is away against the Charlotte Eagles.

The week started with some cold weather and rainy days. Not the best soccer environment to train in, but after Leigh and Jessie get us going in warm up we start to concentrate on what we have to work on during the sessions. During the weekend we played against UVA. It was a decent game which ended scoreless 0-0. We controlled most of the game and had plenty of looks to the goal, especially after UVA missed a penalty kick in the second half. The week is coming to an end and we are preparing for the weekend when we will scrimmage Virginia Tech on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Playing for the Kickers Future and Fredericksburg Gunners, I was always around the Richmond area watching the pro team perform and admiring some very talented players this team has to offer. I was excited to find out there was an interest in me playing for the Kickers and very content I could be a part of such a great organization. So far my first 2 weeks in Richmond have been a lot of fun and hard work. During my first week, we played Old Dominion University and DC United. We played ODU on Tuesday, March 18 at Sportsbackers. We won the game and the team looked pretty fit, especially in defense.

Four days later, on Saturday, March 22 we played DC United, which was a really good game. We started the game on a high tempo as we were told and pressed them from the first minute. Our pressing was productive as Burke scored a really nice goal to make it 1-0 in the 5th minute. We end up winning the game 3-0.The fans made the win that much better as they came out to support us on a cold rainy night. Meeting people and hanging out after the game was a lot of fun as we were all excited on the outcome of the game. We were happy to make our fans proud which is very important to us. Second week kicked off with practice on Monday Wednesday and Friday and a game against W&M on Saturday.

Saturday, March 22, 2008 University of Richmond Stadium

Article by Richmond Kickers Press
Richmond Kickers 3 (Burke 2’, 61’, Jones 35’)
DC United 0

RICHMOND, VA – (Saturday, March 22, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers handed a 3-0 upset to DC United of Major League Soccer on a brisk, March evening, in front of nearly 4,000 fans at the University of Richmond Stadium. Richmond took an early lead when captain Mike Burke registered a goal in the 2nd minute. Defender Kelvin Jones headed home a second tally before the break and Burke converted a penalty kick in the second half. Newcomer Ben Hunter set up both first half goals during his Richmond debut.

The Kickers opened tonight’s exhibition with Burke’s second minute tally. A nice combination with defender Anthony Catalano sliding the ball to Adrian Bumbut began the series. Bumbut flicked the ball on to Hunter on the left side. Hunter carried the ball into the box and crossed it to a wide open Burke, 12 yards out. With time on his side, Burke measured his shot and pulled the trigger into the far left corner, putting the Kickers up 1-0.

DC United recovered and found their first opportunity in the 10th minute. A late clearance by Kickers defense left midfielder Justin Moose alone on the right side. Streaking down the flank, he attempted to cross the ball towards the penalty area but no one was home to finish.

Seven minutes later, Kickers defender Adam Chavez sent a long ball from the back line, over the defense, looking for midfielder Luke Vercollone. Vercollone challenged the last defender to reach it but goalkeeper Jose Carvallo scooped up the loose ball.

A defensive breakdown allowed the ball to slip past the Richmond defense in the 21st minute, giving United an opportunity to level the score. United forward Cezar rushed a shot from around the penalty area, blasting the ball over the crossbar.

As halftime approached, the Kickers added a second goal to the scoreboard in the 35th minute. Hunter fed the ball to Bumbut on the left side, who crossed it to Burke in the box, but his right-footed shot sailed just wide and was deflected over the end line. Hunter lined up the resulting corner kick and curled a left-footed in-swinging ball into the box, this time finding defender Kelvin Jones open six yards out. Jones reached for the ball in the air and headed it into the lower left corner.

Little action on either side of the pitch after the second half restart ensued until a 61st minute foul on Vercollone in the box resulted in a penalty kick in favor of the Kickers. Veteran Burke stepped up, and after a stutter step, calmly slipped a low ball into the right corner, converting his second tally of the night.

Minutes later, United midfielder Jeremy Barlow was issued a red card ejection after a hard foul at midfield, leaving DC with just 10 men on the field. The Kickers attempted to capitalize on United’s shortcomings in the 66th minute when Burke sent a clever through ball to Hunter, streaking down the left flank. Hunter’s shot from 20 yards out was gathered up by United goalkeeper James Thorpe.

As full time loomed near, Cezar attempted a close range shot but Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was able to make the stop and preserve his clean sheet.

The Kickers will open USL2 regular season action on April 19th when they host the Western Mass Pioneers at 7:00 pm at the University of Richmond Stadium. Fans can purchase a 15th Anniversary voucher via RichmondKickers.com, which will allow admittance to a unlimited number of friends, family members, coworkers and acquaintances.