2024 Rhode Island FC season

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Rhode Island FC
2024 season
Head coachKhano Smith
StadiumBeirne Stadium, Smithfield, RI
USL ChampionshipEastern Conference: 10th place
U.S. Open CupThird Round
Highest home attendance5,252 (March 16)
Lowest home attendance3,678 (April 13)
Average home league attendance4,165
Biggest winLV 1–2 RI (April 20)
Biggest defeatTB 4–1 RI (March 30)
2025 →
All statistics correct as of 1:00, May 5, 2024 (UTC).

The 2024 Rhode Island FC season is the first ever season for Rhode Island FC. The club debuted in the USL Championship, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States.

Preseason[edit]

RIFC announced their first player signing on November 1, 2023,[1] and continued to add players to the team over the course of the winter. By mid-January, the team had announced 15 players under contract, and brought players and coaches together for training camp starting on January 15, 2024.

Training camp was held in outdoors in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and indoors at a facility in North Smithfield, Rhode Island.[2] The team worked out in Rhode Island before continuing on to a two-week session at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, including closed-door friendlies against MLS and MLS reserve clubs. A 6-day training session in Bermuda, capped by two exhibition matches against a Bermuda select team, was held in late February.[3][4] A free friendly against Providence College's men's soccer team rounded out the team's preseason.

High-profile signings including Koke Vegas,[1] JJ Williams,[5] and reigning USL most valuable player and golden boot winner Albert Dikwa,[6] led to high expectations for an expansion team. The team entered the season with projections of making the USL playoffs, and being a contender for a home playoff game at the end of the season.[7]

Regular Season[edit]

March[edit]

The team played its inaugural regular season game against New Mexico United on March 16, 2024, at Beirne Stadium.[8] The game was announced as a complete sellout with attendance of 5,252 people. After falling behind in the second half, RIFC scored an equalizer in stoppage time to finish with a 1-1 draw. The goal was initially credited to Mark Doyle,[9] but was determined to be an own goal scored by New Mexico's Chris Gloster.[10]

After the inaugural home game, RIFC had a two-game road trip to Monterey Bay FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. In their initial away game, Albert Dikwa scored the first goal by an RIFC player, following up with a second goal later in the game.[11] Despite Dikwa's brace, the team tied Monterey Bay 2-2.[12] In their game at Tampa, the team took a 1-0 first-half lead, but lost 4-1.[13]

April[edit]

RIFC opened April with a pair of scoreless draws, home against Charleston[14] and Pittsburgh.[15] Goalie Jackson Lee, playing in place of injured Koke Vegas, recorded the first two clean sheets of his career, and was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for each game.[16][17]

After not scoring or conceding in consecutive games, RIFC scored and gave up four goals in its U.S. Open Cup debut on April 16 at USL League One side Charlotte Independence. In the Third Round cup game, RIFC was tied 3-3 at the end of regulation, and 4-4 after extra time. During the ensuing penalty shootout, RIFC had a chance to win 4-3 in penalties, but ended up losing 5-4 in seven rounds of shots, with Charlotte advancing over RIFC to the Fourth Round.[18] The eight-goal game was the highest-scoring to that point of the tournament.[19]

Once back in league play, RIFC played at Las Vegas on April 20. Goals by Stephen Turnbull and Noah Fuson were enough to secure the first victory in team history.[20] Turnbull and coach Khano Smith were named to Team of the Week for the goal and for the team's first win.[21]

Playing at home against defending champions Phoenix Rising FC, RIFC closed the month with a 3-1 home loss.[22]

Player movement[edit]

In[edit]

No. Pos. Player Transferred from Fee/notes Date Source
1 GK Spain Koke Vegas United States San Diego Loyal Free transfer November 1, 2023 [1]
28 MF United States Conor McGlynn United States Hartford Athletic Free transfer November 8, 2023 [23][24]
5 DF United States Grant Stoneman United States San Diego Loyal Free transfer November 8, 2023 [25]
77 MF United States Amos Shapiro-Thompson United States New York Red Bulls II Free transfer November 9, 2023 [26][27]
14 FW Republic of Ireland Mark Doyle Republic of Ireland St Patrick's Athletic Free transfer November 21, 2023 [28][29]
7 MF Liberia Prince Saydee United States Hartford Athletic Free transfer December 1, 2023 [30]
9 FW United States JJ Williams United States Tampa Bay Rowdies Undisclosed fee December 4, 2023 [5]
18 MF United States Joe Brito United States Union Omaha Free transfer December 7, 2023 [31]
16 DF Brazil Gabriel Alves United States Birmingham Legion Free transfer December 11, 2023 [32]
23 MF United States Marc Ybarra United States Pittsburgh Riverhounds Free transfer December 14, 2023 [33]
15 DF Cuba Frank Nodarse United States Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Free transfer December 21, 2023 [34]
22 GK Australia Jackson Lee United States West Virginia Mountaineers Free transfer December 22, 2023 [35]
3 DF United States Stephen Turnbull United States New York City FC Free transfer December 29, 2023 [36][37]
17 MF Democratic Republic of the Congo Jojea Kwizera Canada CF Montreal Free transfer January 4, 2024 [38]
12 DF United States Clay Holstad United States Columbus Crew 2 Free transfer January 12, 2024 [39]
11 FW United States Noah Fuson United States Columbus Crew 2 Free transfer January 16, 2024 [40]
10 FW Cameroon Albert Dikwa United States Pittsburgh Riverhounds Free transfer January 19, 2024 [6]
24 DF Canada Karifa Yao United States Vancouver Whitecaps Free transfer January 23, 2024 [41]
21 MF Ghana Kofi Twumasi United States Atlanta United 2 Free transfer January 24, 2024 [42]
30 GK United States Nate Silveira United States Crown Legacy FC Free transfer February 20, 2024 [43]
19 MF United States Kevin Vang United States Providence Friars Free transfer February 20, 2024 [43]
2 DF United States Nathan Messer United States Providence Friars Free transfer March 13, 2024 [43]
4 DF United States Collin Smith United States New England Revolution II Free transfer March 29, 2024 [43]
80 MF Puerto Rico Isaac Angking United States Columbus Crew 2 Free transfer April 30, 2024 [44]

Roster[edit]

As of April 30, 2024[45]
No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Spain ESP Koke Vegas
2 DF United States USA Nathan Messer
3 DF United States USA Stephen Turnbull
4 DF United States USA Collin Smith
5 DF United States USA Grant Stoneman
7 MF Liberia LBR Prince Saydee
9 FW United States USA JJ Williams
10 FW Cameroon CMR Albert Dikwa
11 FW United States USA Noah Fuson
12 DF United States USA Clay Holstad
14 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Mark Doyle
15 DF Cuba CUB Frank Nodarse
16 DF Brazil BRA Gabriel Alves
17 MF Democratic Republic of the Congo COD Jojea Kwizera
18 MF United States USA Joe Brito
19 MF United States USA Kevin Vang
21 MF Ghana GHA Kofi Twumasi
22 GK Australia AUS Jackson Lee
23 MF United States USA Marc Ybarra
24 DF Canada CAN Karifa Yao
28 MF United States USA Conor McGlynn
30 GK United States USA Nate Silveira
77 MF United States USA Amos Shapiro-Thompson
80 MF Puerto Rico PUR Isaac Angking

Competitions[edit]

Preseason friendlies[edit]

On November 20, 2023, Rhode Island FC announced that the Bermuda Football Association would host the team for a week of training from February 23 to 28, 2024. The partnership was spurred by Khano Smith, Rhode Island's manager and a former Bermuda national football team player.[46]

February 7 Orlando City SC 3–1 Rhode Island FC Kissimmee, Florida
  • Lynn 43', 50'
  • Unknown 87' (o.g.)
Report
  • Unknown 84'
Stadium: Osceola County Stadium
Note: Closed-door scrimmage
February 13 Rhode Island FC 1–0 New England Revolution II Bradenton, Florida
Report Stadium: IMG Academy
Note: Closed-door scrimmage
March 8 Rhode Island FC 2–0 Providence Friars Smithfield, RI
7:30PM
Report Stadium: Beirne Stadium

USL Championship[edit]

Eastern Conference[edit]

Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Charleston Battery 10 7 0 3 25 7 +18 24 Playoffs
2 Louisville City FC 7 6 1 0 23 7 +16 18
3 Detroit City FC 7 5 1 1 10 6 +4 16
4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 8 3 1 4 17 11 +6 13
5 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 8 3 3 2 7 7 0 11
6 Indy Eleven 9 3 4 2 14 17 −3 11
7 Birmingham Legion FC 8 3 3 2 8 13 −5 11
8 Hartford Athletic 7 3 4 0 7 14 −7 9
9 Loudoun United FC 8 2 4 2 10 13 −3 8
10 Rhode Island FC 8 1 2 5 7 11 −4 8
11 Miami FC 9 2 6 1 11 16 −5 7
12 North Carolina FC 9 1 4 4 8 12 −4 7
Updated to match(es) played on May 4, 2024. Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots

Results summary[edit]

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
8 1 5 2 7 11  −4 8 0 3 1 2 4  −2 1 2 1 5 7  −2

Last updated: May 4, 2024.
Source: Match reports

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
StadiumHAAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHHAAHHAHAAHAHHAH
ResultDDLDDWLD
Eastern Conference10111111118810
Updated to match(es) played on May 4, 2024. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Regular Season[edit]

All times in Eastern Time Zone.

March 16 1 Rhode Island FC 1–1 New Mexico United Smithfield, RI
4:00PM
Report
Stadium: Beirne Stadium
Attendance: 5,252
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
March 24 2 Monterey Bay FC 2–2 Rhode Island FC Seaside, CA
6:00PM
Report
Stadium: Cardinale Stadium
Attendance: 3,359
Referee: Alexis Da Silva
March 30 3 Tampa Bay Rowdies 4–1 Rhode Island FC St. Petersburg, FL
7:30PM
Report
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 6,001
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
April 6 4 Rhode Island FC 0–0 Charleston Battery Smithfield, RI
7:30PM
Report
Stadium: Beirne Stadium
Attendance: 3,729
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
April 13 5 Rhode Island FC 0–0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Smithfield, RI
7:30PM
Report
Stadium: Beirne Stadium
Attendance: 3,678
Referee: Olvin Oliva
April 20 6 Las Vegas Lights 1–2 Rhode Island FC Las Vegas, NV
8:00PM
Report
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,943
Referee: Benjamin Meyer
April 26 7 Rhode Island FC 1–3 Phoenix Rising FC Smithfield, RI
7:30PM
Report
Stadium: Beirne Stadium
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
May 4 8 North Carolina FC 0–0 Rhode Island FC Cary, NC
7:00PM
Report
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 3,187
Referee: Jeremy Flores

U.S. Open Cup[edit]

Along with 15 other teams in the USL Championship, RIFC entered the 2024 U.S. Open Cup in the third round. They played the first ever U.S. Open Cup game in club history in Charlotte, North Carolina against the Charlotte Independence of USL League One. The game ended in a 4–4 draw after extra time, with the Independence advancing to the next round after a penalty shootout.[18]

April 16, 2024 Third Round North Carolina Charlotte Independence (USL1) 4–4 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
Rhode Island Rhode Island FC (USLC) Charlotte, North Carolina
7:00PM
Report
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Referee: Shawn Tehini
Penalties

Player statistics[edit]

Goals[edit]

Place Pos. No. Name USL Championship US Open Cup USLC Playoffs Total
1 FW 10 Cameroon Albert Dikwa 3 0 0 3
2 DF 3 United States Stephen Turnbull 1 1 0 2
2 DF 12 United States Clay Holstad 1 1 0 2
3 MF 28 United States Conor McGlynn 0 1 0 1
3 DF 2 England Nathan Messer 0 1 0 1
3 FW 11 United States Noah Fuson 1 0 0 1
Own Goals 1 0 0 1
Total 7 4 0 11

Assists[edit]

Place Pos. No. Name USL Championship US Open Cup USLC Playoffs Total
1 FW 11 United States Noah Fuson 3 0 0 3
2 GK 22 Australia Jackson Lee 1 0 0 1
2 DF 4 United States Collin Smith 0 1 0 1
2 FW 14 Republic of Ireland Mark Doyle 0 1 0 1
Total 4 2 0 6

Clean Sheets[edit]

Place Pos. No. Name USL Championship US Open Cup USLC Playoffs Total
1 GK 22 Australia Jackson Lee 2 0 0 2
2 GK 1 Spain Koke Vegas 1 0 0 1
Total 3 0 0 3

Disciplinary[edit]

No. Pos. Name USL Championship US Open Cup USLC Playoffs Total
Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card
3 DF United States Stephen Turnbull 1 1
4 DF United States Collin Smith 1 1
5 DF United States Grant Stoneman 2 2
10 FW Cameroon Albert Dikwa 2 2
11 FW United States Noah Fuson 2 2
12 DF United States Clay Holstad 5 5
14 FW Republic of Ireland Mark Doyle 1 1 2
15 DF Cuba Frank Nodarse 2 2
18 MF United States Joe Brito 1 1
21 MF Ghana Kofi Twumasi 2 1 3
22 GK Australia Jackson Lee 1 1
23 MF United States Marc Ybarra 2 2
24 DF United States Karifa Yao 1 1 2
28 MF United States Conor McGlynn 1 1 1 1
Total 24 1 3 0 0 0 27 1

League Honors[edit]

2024 Season

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Rhode Island FC Signs First Player Ahead of Inaugural Season". November 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "Rhode Island's new pro soccer team's debut season starts in 2 months. Here's what to know". Providence Journal. January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  3. ^ "'The community seems hungry for soccer': Rhode Island FC steps onto the pitch". Boston Globe. January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "Rhode Island FC Announces 2024 Preseason Schedule". Rhode Island FC. January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Rowdies Communications (December 3, 2023). "Rowdies Transfer JJ Williams to Rhode Island" (Press release). Tampa Bay Rowdies. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Rhode Island FC Welcomes 2023 USL Championship Player of the Year Albert Dikwa". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "2024 USL Season Preview". USL Tactics. February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  8. ^ "Rhode Island's new professional soccer team kicks off for the first time ever". Boston Globe. March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  9. ^ @rhodeislandfc (March 16, 2024). "IT'S OFFICIAL" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "RIFC v New Mexico United". USLChampionship.com. March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "Rhode Island FC Draws Monterey Bay F.C. 2-2 in Inaugural Away Match". Rhode Island FC. March 24, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  12. ^ "MONTEREY BAY BATTLES BACK TWICE TO DRAW RHODE ISLAND FC 2-2 AT CARDINALE STADIUM". Monterey Bay FC. March 24, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  13. ^ "Rhode Island FC Falls 4-1 at Tampa Bay Rowdies in First Loss of the Season". March 30, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  14. ^ "Rhode Island FC Battles to Scoreless Draw With Charleston Battery". Rhode Island FC. April 6, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  15. ^ "Jackson Lee Leads Rhode Island FC to Second-Consecutive Shutout". Rhode Island FC. April 13, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 5". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 6". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Charlotte Independence needs PKs to survive goalfest with Rhode Island FC". Thecup.us. April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  19. ^ "2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Schedule, Results". Thecup.us. March 3, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  20. ^ "Rhode Island FC Takes Down Las Vegas Lights FC 2-1 for First Win in Club History". Rhode Island FC. April 20, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 7". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  22. ^ "Rhode Island FC Falls 3-1 to Defending League Champions in First Home Loss". Rhode Island FC. April 26, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  23. ^ "Conor McGlynn makes move to Rhode Island FC". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  24. ^ "Hartford Athletic Twitter". X (formerly Twitter). November 6, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  25. ^ Reimann, B. "Rhode Island FC Signs Former San Diego Loyal SC Defender". RhodeIslandFC.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  26. ^ "⚓ Anchors up as we continue to build the squad!". Twitter.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  27. ^ Bulls, New York Red. "New York Red Bulls". New York Red Bulls. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  28. ^ "Rhode Island FC Signs Former St Patrick's Athletic Forward". www.rhodeislandfc.com. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  29. ^ Duffy, Emma (November 21, 2023). "FAI Cup final goalscorer Doyle joins US club as St Pat's sign Kavanagh from Derry". The 42. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  30. ^ Reimann, B. "Rhode Island FC Signs Liberian National Team Member". RhodeIslandFC.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  31. ^ Gadbois, Stephen. "Rhode Island FC Adds Another Midfielder". TheBlazingMusket.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  32. ^ "✍️ Gabriel Alves will officially be wearing the Amber and Blue!". Twitter.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  33. ^ "Rhode Island FC Signs USL Midfielder Marc Ybarra". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  34. ^ "✍️ And another one! Defender, Frank Nodarse will be moving east to RI ahead of the 2024 USLChampionship season". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  35. ^ "Rhode Island FC Signee Drafted in First Round of MLS SuperDraft". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  36. ^ "✍️ New Signing! Defender, Stephen Turnbull is on his way to #RIFC! Turnbull made 5 appearances in 2023 for MLS side NYCFC after a successful campaign with NYCFCII". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  37. ^ "Correction: Turnbull made 5 starts and 11 appearances for NYCFC in 2023". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  38. ^ "✍️ 🆕 Former @cfmontreal wingback, Jojea Kwizera is heading to the Ocean State!". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  39. ^ "Rhode Island FC Adds Midfielder Clay Holstad". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  40. ^ "✍️ 🆕 Noah Fuson joins RIFC after spending the last 2 seasons with @ColumbusCrew2. The 24-yr-old striker tallied 20 goals and nine assists over the last two @MLSNEXTPRO seasons. Fuson's signing will be finalized pending league/federation approval". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  41. ^ "🆕✍️ We've signed former @whitecapsfc defender Karifa Yao to bolster the defense". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  42. ^ "🆕 ✍️ Kofi Twumasi has been added to the roster!". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  43. ^ a b c d "RIFC Welcomes Pair of Rhode Island Natives". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  44. ^ "RRhode Island FC Signs Providence Native Isaac Angking to 2024 Roster". rhodeislandfc.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  45. ^ "Front Office". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  46. ^ Reimann, B. "Bermuda Football Association Hosts Rhode Island FC for Pre-Season Training Camp". RhodeIslandFC.com. Rhode Island FC. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  47. ^ "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 2". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  48. ^ "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 3". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.