
Richmond Kickers and Richmond Strikers to CommemorateDavid Bulow atJune 5 Match

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the signing of defender Chris Cole, pending league and federation approval. Cole will be available for selection Sunday when the Kickers travel to Fort Lauderdale CF.
“Chris Cole has worked incredibly hard over the past two years to get an opportunity in professional soccer,” said Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach, Darren Sawatzky. “He came into preseason with us and he fit immediately with our culture here. His competitive nature and hard-nosed defending gives us another piece to our team at the back, and his approach to every day on and off the field adds another solid brick to the foundation.”
A gritty defender, Cole started his college career at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina. His next season, he went back to his home state of Washington to play at Bellevue College, where he scored four goals and added three assists. His final three college seasons were played at Seattle Pacific University. In his senior season, Cole made 15 appearances and was named co-captain, scoring two goals, including the game-winning goal against Montana State Billings and added two assists.
“Being able to sign my first pro contract with the Kickers is really a blessing and a dream come true” commented Cole. “I believe the culture that Rob, Darren and everyone else in the organization have built is what makes this club so special. In the short time I’ve been here, I can already see how much this team means to the city and I’m beyond excited to be a part of it.”
In 2019, the Duvall, Washington native spent the season with the Seattle Sounders U23s in USL League Two. That season the club finished with a 7-3-4 record and was second in the Northwest Division.
“My goal this season is to star in my role within the group and do whatever is required to help this team win games,” added Cole. “If we can all do that, we’ll be in a good position to accomplish the team goal — lifting a trophy in November.”
The Kickers return to action Sunday night on the road as they travel down to Fort Lauderdale CF for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The match will air live on WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466) and will be streamed on ESPN+. This match is also going to be available in Spanish on the radio on WULT Ultra 94.1FM/1540AM.
A native of Duvall, Washington, Cole played collegiately at Seattle Pacific University. In his senior season in 2018, he made 15 appearances for the Falcons. He had an assist and scored the game-winner over Montana State Billings. In 2019, Cole played one season with the Seattle Sounders U23s in USL League Two.
Named the Capital Gazette Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2016, Solomon stayed in his home state of Maryland to feature at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Over his three seasons, he made 31 appearances for the Retrievers, scoring two goals. During his senior season, Solomon played for Northern Virginia United.