Deep Run HS graduate Kirkland signs with Richmond Kickers

The Richmond Kickers Sept. 12 announced that former Deep Run High School standout and University of Mary Washington All-American forward Josh Kirkland has signed a contract to play for the team, pending league and federation approval.

The contract will be Kirkland's first professional deal after he spent time "trialing" with the Kickers. Kirkland, 23, is a winger who displayed an ability to get behind defensive backlines during the Kickers’ exhibition match against USL League Two side Lionsbridge FC June 26. He netted the tying goal after splitting two defenders and nutmegging the keeper with a low-driven strike.

“Being on trial for over six months was definitely challenging but it was definitely worth it," Kirkland said. "I was able to grow as a player and it means so much that I have been given the opportunity to be a part of the team. Scoring in front of the fans was a dream come true, and it was just the start. The love the fans showed me after that game is a huge reason that Richmond is a place I want to be in."

During his tenure with the UMW men’s soccer program, Kirkland was a two-time All-American, three-time All-Region player, and three-time Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He started 72 of the 80 matches he appeared in while scoring 47 goals – 16 of them gamewinners – and adding 16 assists. Kirkland finished his Eagles career fourth in career points (110) and fourth in career goals (47).

Kirkland led UMW to back-to-back Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championships his junior and senior seasons, advancing to the NCAA tournament both years. In 2022, Kirkland spearheaded the attack that made a run to the national semifinals, before losing to Williams College 1-0.  It was the second time in school history that UMW had advanced to the Final Four.

Kirkland, while trialing with the Kickers, joined the Charlottesville Blues to compete in the 2024 USL League Two season. He netted four goals which ranked tied for first on the team and added an assist while starting all 12 matches in which he appeared. The Blues finished 7-3-2.

“Josh has been working hard and has been a part of our club since preseason," said Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Chief Sporting Officer Darren Sawatzky. "We are thrilled to officially add another local product and Josh has earned this opportunity. Seamless in the locker room and a beast on the training pitch, Josh’s lethal scoring ability is now a compliment to pieces he has worked to add while competing here. Josh gives us another scoring threat as we head into the final stretch of this season chasing points.”

Kirkland represented RVA as a member of the Richmond Strikers during his youth career while also playing for Deep Run High. As a member of Deep Run’s men’s soccer team, Kirkland earned First Team All-State and First Team All-Region honors.

The Kickers compete in USL League One and currently are 11th among 12 teams, with 13 total points and a record of 3-9-4, but are only four points out of eighth place and the final playoff spot. They have six regular season games remaining.