The Richmond Kickers forward Edson Elcock will return for the 2012 season, pending USSF approval.
“We are delighted that Edson has decided to return as he has contributed greatly to the club's success over the last couple of seasons,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “His versatility, pace and experience will be an important component in our quest to win a USL PRO Championship.”
Elcock returns for his third full season with the Kickers after finishing fourth on the team in scoring with four goals and two assists for 10 points in 2011. Making 29 appearances overall while posting over 2,000 minutes on the season, he added a pair of assists during the Kickers historic run to the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals, including an assist on the game-winning goal against the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer in the Third Round of the tournament.
Drafted by Sporting Kansas City in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, Elcock signed a developmental contract with the Major League Soccer side, appearing in eight reserve games before signing with the Puerto Rico Islanders one year later. Joining the Kickers roster in late July 2009, the Old Dominion University graduate quickly made his way into the starting lineup, making an immediate impact with the team and scoring the equalizer in the Kickers 2009 USL-2 Championship match to lead the team to their second title in four seasons. He has since recorded over 4,500 minutes in a Kickers uniform in 58 games played overall.
The native of Brooklyn, New York boasted an impressive goal scoring record throughout his collegiate career, and became just the fourth player in Old Dominion University history to be selected first team All-American.
After being named Freshman of the Year in the SAC with Wingate University, Elcock moved to ODU and helped the Monarchs reach the NCAA tournament in each of his three seasons. In 2006, the senior scored 11 goals and notched six assists, earning numerous honors including first team NSCAA All-Region.