RICHMOND, Virginia: The Richmond Kickers, the longest-running professional soccer club in the U.S., have once again raised the bar for innovation in player development. Fresh off their 2024 USL Academy Cup finals appearance and South Atlantic Division title win, which secured them an automatic bid to the USL Academy Finals this December, the Kickers have become the first professional club to integrate DarkHorse.AI’s cutting-edge video analysis technology with Beyond Pulse’s Smart Belts for their USL Academy team. This pioneering collaboration is set to redefine how player performance is analyzed and coached, setting a new standard for youth soccer.

Key Benefits for the Richmond Kickers:

• Massive Time-Saving Performance Analysis: With DarkHorse.AI’s powerful technology, thousands of video clips are analyzed in seconds, rather than hours. When combined with Beyond Pulse’s physiological data, coaches gain a comprehensive view of player performance, unlocking deeper insights that lead to faster player growth and improved competitive readiness. This gives coaches more time to focus on team preparation and strategy instead of spending hours on video analysis.

• Elevated Team Performance: Advanced data and video insights are empowering the Kickers to elevate team performance both within the USL Academy and in preparation for future competitions. The integration offers a holistic approach, allowing coaches to make data-driven decisions that fine-tune player and team strategy.

• Customized Training: Detailed data from each player enables coaches to design personalized training sessions, optimizing individual athlete development while ensuring health and well-being are prioritized. This tailored approach maximizes performance while minimizing burnout.

• Enhanced Player Well-being: By closely tracking key metrics such as heart rate, distance covered, speed, and workload, the coaching staff can make informed decisions about recovery, injury prevention, and long-term player health. This ensures that player wellness is at the heart of the team’s success strategy.

Mika Elovaara, Richmond Kickers' Head Assistant Coach and Director of Player Development and Methodology, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “I’m thrilled to expand our collaboration with Beyond Pulse to our U20 USL Academy team. As we continue to set the standard for player development, trusted partners like Beyond Pulse are critical to our success. Their relentless innovation, coupled with DarkHorse.AI’s cutting-edge video analysis, ensures our players receive the best possible experience on and off the field.”

Billy Brush, CEO and Founder of DarkHorse.AI, shared: “As a former coach, I’ve seen firsthand how every player has a unique story. By combining physiological, technical, and video data, we can tell the whole story, enabling coaches to better support their players. Mika Elovaara’s dedication to player development is unmatched, and this decision cements his role as a leader in youth soccer. We’re excited to partner with the Kickers and Beyond Pulse, and we look forward to watching their success unfold at the USL Academy Finals this December.”

Matt Pell, CEO of Beyond Pulse, echoed this enthusiasm: “This partnership not only redefines how we monitor player performance but also showcases the Richmond Kickers’ commitment to cultivating talent. By joining forces with DarkHorse.AI and the Kickers' coaching staff, we’re pioneering personalized training and optimized player development. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of sports technology and helping players excel on and off the field.”

The integration of Beyond Pulse and DarkHorse.AI marks a major milestone in sports technology, transforming the way teams approach performance analysis and player development. The Richmond Kickers remain dedicated to staying at the forefront of innovation, ensuring their players have the best tools available for success and growth.

To learn more about this revolutionary integration, contact Billy Brush at billy@thedarkhorse.ai.

About Richmond Kickers

The Richmond Kickers are the longest continuously-operating professional soccer club in the U.S., committed to strengthening community connections by offering an authentic, joyful American soccer experience. For more information, visit RichmondKickers.com.

About DarkHorse.AI

DarkHorse.AI is the world’s largest patented AI sports network, transforming the way athletes create highlight reels, gain exposure, and leverage predictive analytics. Learn more at TheDarkHorse.ai.

About Beyond Pulse

Beyond Pulse is a leader in wearable technology designed for athletes of all ages. Their mission is to inspire a lifelong love of activity while empowering coaches to improve training sessions with actionable data. Discover more at BeyondPulse and follow them on X.