American Football: Richmond 2024

03/20/2024 - Richmond Kickers defeat Christos FC during the first round of the U.S. Open Cup 2024. This photo and all of the ones you will see were taken by Nicolas Polo Sanchez.

Richmond Kickers & Richmond Ivy - March 20th - May 11th, 2024

4 months. 4 games.

I had the pleasure of visiting City Stadium four times last year—three during the Kickers’ U.S. Open Cup run and then finally for the inaugural home opener of the Richmond Ivy.

Unfortunately, like many of the stories I’ll be sharing for this project—and as embarrassing as it is to admit—I had never been to City Stadium or even heard of the Richmond Kickers before my first game, despite living only 90 minutes away for 23 years. What’s even more surprising than a so-called football fan like myself not knowing about the Richmond Kickers is the fact that they are the oldest continuously operating professional football club in the U.S. South Carolina’s Charleston Battery kicked off on the same day, but as the Kickers’ owner likes to point out, “Our game started before theirs.”

For most of 2024, I was working my 9 to 5, well, more like 8 to 4:30 (doesn’t sound as nice). I usually planned to attend games and events on weekends, but since these were U.S. Open Cup matches, they were scheduled during the middle of the week. That meant I had to get creative. On game days, I would wake up at 5 AM, take a quick shower, and hit the road by 5:30 AM to make sure I made it into town in time for my first work meeting of the day. It wasn’t convenient by any means, but coming to these games made me fall in love with football in the States.

That love started with the Director of Communications, Nathan Heintschel. Absolute legend of a guy. From his deep knowledge of lower-league football to his love for his city, to just being a downright genuine human being, he helped restore my faith that good people truly care about the game and its impact. And Nathan was just the start. Everyone at City Stadium—the concession workers, the lovely couple who cleaned up after the games, even the owner himself—they all felt like family.

The people were great, and maybe they sweet-talked their way into making me a believer, but before I could get down on one knee for Richmond, I needed to see more. And then I met City Stadium.

Built in 1929, City Stadium was home to the University of Richmond’s American football team until 2009. Between 1995 and 2009, both the University of Richmond and the Kickers shared the stadium. But here’s the kicker, since 1929, not much had changed at City Stadium, except for its age. And that’s what hooked me. The rusted bleachers that are no longer used, the old concrete seating area with white and red-painted barriers, the main building with no AC, it is a poetic scene. It felt like something I had been longing for. I bought the ring, but I was waiting for one more thing… ah yes, the Richmond Ivy.

I didn’t grow up watching women’s football. It wasn’t widely talked about at the dinner table or at school—lame excuse, I know, but it wasn’t front and center in the spaces I was in. The only names I remember were Marta and Mia Hamm. That was it. It wasn’t until my first football gig in 2022 covering the Spirit that I truly experienced the women’s game. And I had it lucky—I was watching a team that had just won the NWSL Championship. Watching Ashley Sanchez and Trin move the ball was a thing of beauty, but what really set it apart was the fan culture. Women’s football isn’t just about the game, it is a statement. Every match felt like an event, a movement. European standouts were coming to the U.S. to play. The Spirit had just hired FC Barcelona’s star coach, Jonatan Giráldez Costas. Sh*t was getting real. So when Nathan told me Richmond was launching its own women’s team and hosting their inaugural home opener in May, I knew I had to be there.

May 11, 2024—the day Richmond and I sealed the deal.

A sold-out crowd of 6,000-plus. A 1-0 win. A fairy tale ending… or beginning? You get what I mean. Richmond gave me a new way to see football in the States, and I can’t thank the people at City Stadium enough for that.

This wraps up the American Football series—for now. Don’t worry, I’ve been hard at work, and 2025 is shaping up to be something special. To those who have followed along—much love. See you on the next one.