Richmond, VA (April 1, 2026) — Loudoun United FC fell 1–0 on the road to the Richmond Kickers in a hard-fought Second Round matchup of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Match Summary
The match was a physical, defensive battle from the opening whistle, with both sides struggling to find clear-cut chances in a crowded midfield. Loudoun United maintained a disciplined shape throughout the first half, limiting Richmond’s transition play while looking for openings on the counter. Despite several dangerous deliveries into the area from the wings, the Red-and-White couldn’t find the touch required to break the deadlock before the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, as the intensity of the regional rivalry led to fouls and a congested final third. Loudoun’s backline held firm against late pressure, and the match appeared destined for extra time as the clock ticked past the 90th minute.
Richmond found the decisive moment in the 96th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball in the box to score the game’s only goal. Loudoun pushed forward in the closing moments but was unable to find an equalizer before the final whistle.
Thoughts from the Club
Head Coach Anthony Limbrick on the performance and looking ahead:
“Yeah, look, we’re obviously disappointed to concede so late on. I thought it was a hard-fought match, and credit to the opposition, I thought they were good and took the game to us. But we’re disappointed that we weren’t the ones who came on stronger in the end. I thought it was a tight first half, and we should have been the ones to push on, so yeah, we’re disappointed all in all. I think every single player gave their maximum effort, we just came up short tonight. It’s a quick turnaround now, and I think that’s a good opportunity for us. We need to go into that game and try to win it, just like we did tonight, but we’ll go back, review things, make a few changes, and look to get a few more things right for the weekend.”
Midfielder Bolu Akinyode on the team’s performance:
“It was a tough game. They came out ready to compete. They were better in both boxes tonight, and those are things we’ve got to keep working on. It’s a long season, so there’s a lot of room for improvement. We’ve just got to get back to work and keep going. It’s a quick turnaround for us. We’ll review the game tomorrow, look at where we can be better and where we can be sharper. The good thing is we have another opportunity on Saturday to put things right, get a win, and get that feeling back.”
Notes
Pacifique Niyongabire made his first start for the club.
Loudoun United returns to Segra Field on Saturday, April 4th to host Birmingham Legion FC at 5 p.m. ET.
About Loudoun United FC
Loudoun United FC is the highest-level professional soccer club in Virginia, competing in the USL Championship. The club is committed to advancing the game, developing top talent, and providing a high-quality experience for players, supporters, and the local community. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.loudoununitedfc.com.
