RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are one of two clubs to have reached the USL Cup Playoffs in every season of the league’s history, but Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw believes the upcoming season will see that record challenged as the competition in the USL continues to rise.

“I think it’s very possibly going to be our most challenging season [competitively],” Cowlishaw told the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Vic Dorr Jr. “Making it to the playoffs is always our objective. But frankly, it will be a massive achievement if we’re able to make it this year.”

The Kickers have had an excellent offseason off the field, with the club being awarded a 40-year lease to City Stadium by the Richmond City Council. The move will see the club make $20 million-worth of investment into the facility to raise the level of the venue for fans and visitors.