Ben Hunter's year in the MLS didn't work out exactly as he planned.

But if last night was any indication, the 2008 season could be a good one for the 22-year-old forward.

Several players made their debuts with the Kickers in a 3-0 exhibition victory over D.C. United at University of Richmond Stadium. Hunter's performance ranked among the night's best as he made two assists and had several good looks at the goal.

"Any time he gets the ball wide, you know there's going to be some quality play," Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw said. "There were several occasions where he did that, and it was unfortunate he couldn't create a goal out of it."

Hunter left England to attend college at North Carolina, where he starred for four years. He was picked up by Columbus in the fourth round of the MLS draft but sat on the bench for all of 2007, failing to see playing time. That won't be a problem for him in Richmond.

"The coaching staff here has given me another chance to get some games, get fit and see what I can do," he said. "I'm thankful for that, and I really like the organization."

He plays to the strength of this year's squad with solid ball control. Cowlishaw describes him as a very smart player who is composed when he controls the ball.

During last night's exhibition, Hunter meshed well with team star Mike Burke.

Burke picked up where he left off last season, scoring a goal just two minutes into the game and following that up with a penalty kick goal in the second half.

He was subbed out to a standing ovation with about 20 minutes left to give looks to some of the other rookie players.

Former VCU player Pat Viray entered the game at that point. Viray has not yet signed a contract with the team but has been practicing with the Kickers. He said that chemistry has come easily, because he's been working with some of the players since his days with the Rams.

"This is a lot different," he said. "College soccer is just physical. But at VCU, we tried to play the ball a little bit more, and that's what they do here, so it's a good fit."

Also making their Kickers debuts were defender Adam Chavez from Binghamton, midfielder Adrian Bumbut from Liberty and Eliot Paschalis from Furman.

D.C. United begins its season next week, though the team did not play its entire starting lineup. There were plenty of United supporters in the crowd at UR Stadium, including a section with the team's boisterous fan group, La Barra Brava.

But the Kickers dominated from the start, and when Hunter guided a corner kick right to the head of Kelvin Jones for the second goal, United was finished.

Now the Kickers return to hibernation. Their home opener isn't for another month, so the players will have some time to get to know each other.

"The more we play with each other, the sharper we'll get," Hunter said. "I'm real excited for the season to get going."

D.C. ------------------------- 0 0 - 0
Richmond ------------------------- 2 1 - 3

Goals: 1, Ric, Burke (Hunter), 2nd minute; 2, Ric, Jones (Hunter) 35th; 3, Burke 2 (penalty kick), 61st

Saves: Pascale (Ric) 2, Murphy (Ric) 0; Carvallo (DC) 0, Thorpe (DC) 2

Shots: Richmond 10-7

Fouls: D.C. United 11-8