In early June, John Gilkerson was loaned from the New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer) to the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer Leagues Second Division.

That's the equivalent in baseball of being sent from the major leagues to Double-A, a drop of two full rungs on the professional ladder.

Players have been known to get upset when that happens and not perform to the best of their abilities at the lower level. That hasn't been the case with Gilkerson.

"He didn't come in with any type of attitude," said defender Trevor McEachron, who plays with Gilkerson on the back line. "He didn't think he was better than us or anything like that. He came in and fit right in with us. You could see by the way he played. Earlier in the season, he wasn't even practicing with us. Just coming in for the games. He's done a really good job."

This wasn't a demotion for Gilkerson, a native of Winchester who played four years at Winthrop University before being chosen in the third round of the supplemental draft by the Red Bulls this year.

The 6-0 175-pounder was sent to Richmond when New York's reserve team had a break in its schedule. He played in five games at mid-season, then returned last week and will be with the Kickers through the playoffs, since the reserve squad is idle for a month.

No. 2 seed Richmond meets No. 3 Cleveland tonight (7) in the semifinals at University of Richmond Stadium.

"It doesn't matter to me," Gilkerson said. "The speed is obviously different, but as far as individual skill, it's not much different from MLS to here. I'm just happy I'm getting games."

Gilkerson, 23, has played in one exhibition and one U.S. Open Cup match with the New York regulars.

"I think they want to see where I'm at, since I'm not getting games with the 18-man roster up there," Gilkerson said. "They want me to get games, so they can evaluate me and see if I'll be able to play with the Red Bulls whenever there's a call-up."

The Kickers were aware of Gilkerson's talent because he played for the Hampton Roads Piranhas of the Premier Development League in 2006 and 2007.

"We had watched him a couple of times when the Piranhas played the [Richmond Kickers] Future," Richmond coach Leigh Cowlishaw said. "We watched him at Winthrop and saw him at the InfoSports Combine. We liked him and were hoping he wouldn't get drafted, but the Red Bulls took him. But we felt if he didn't make it on the 18-man roster week in and week out, he'd be a good addition.

"It makes sense. You can develop a lot more playing first team football than you can in the MLS reserve league. He's strong, and he's very comfortable on the ball, left-footed and right-footed, which is a big bonus for a defender."

Gilkerson knew about the Kickers, too.

"I played against their youth club," he said. "My college coach knows Jesse [Myers, assistant coach], so I knew they'd take good care of me if I came here. It's a good club, good players, good atmosphere. I've enjoyed it."

Gilkerson will return to the Red Bulls after the playoffs and hopes to remain with the MLS team next season.

"This gives me a chance to hone my skills," he said. "Work on ball skills and game-oriented stuff at the same time. Keep my fitness level up. So I don't mind coming down here."
Contact John Packett at (804) 649-6313 or jpackett@timesdispatch.com.