The Richmond Kickers maintained their streak of reaching the USL Cup Playoffs for a sixth consecutive year, and despite seeing numerous changes in net after an early-season injury to Ryan Taylor were still able to post one of the best defensive records in the USL this year as the trio of Hugh Roberts, William Yomby and Braeden Troyer came to the fore.

At the center of the club’s success, however, was Japanese midfielder Yudai Imura, who took a major jump forward in his second season with the club. Imura’s finished helped power a six-game winning streak and 10-game undefeated streak across July and August that sealed the Kickers’ place in the postseason.