Rhode Island FC 2024 soccer season
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 ]
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]
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 loss.[22]
Player movement [ edit ]
No.
Pos.
Player
Transferred from
Fee/notes
Date
Source
1
GK
Koke Vegas
San Diego Loyal
Free transfer
November 1, 2023
[1]
28
MF
Conor McGlynn
Hartford Athletic
Free transfer
November 8, 2023
[23] [24]
5
DF
Grant Stoneman
San Diego Loyal
Free transfer
November 8, 2023
[25]
77
MF
Amos Shapiro-Thompson
New York Red Bulls II
Free transfer
November 9, 2023
[26] [27]
14
FW
Mark Doyle
St Patrick's Athletic
Free transfer
November 21, 2023
[28] [29]
7
MF
Prince Saydee
Hartford Athletic
Free transfer
December 1, 2023
[30]
9
FW
JJ Williams
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Undisclosed fee
December 4, 2023
[5]
18
MF
Joe Brito
Union Omaha
Free transfer
December 7, 2023
[31]
16
DF
Gabriel Alves
Birmingham Legion
Free transfer
December 11, 2023
[32]
23
MF
Marc Ybarra
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Free transfer
December 14, 2023
[33]
15
DF
Frank Nodarse
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
Free transfer
December 21, 2023
[34]
22
GK
Jackson Lee
West Virginia Mountaineers
Free transfer
December 22, 2023
[35]
3
DF
Stephen Turnbull
New York City FC
Free transfer
December 29, 2023
[36] [37]
17
MF
Jojea Kwizera
CF Montreal
Free transfer
January 4, 2024
[38]
12
DF
Clay Holstad
Columbus Crew 2
Free transfer
January 12, 2024
[39]
11
FW
Noah Fuson
Columbus Crew 2
Free transfer
January 16, 2024
[40]
10
FW
Albert Dikwa
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Free transfer
January 19, 2024
[6]
24
DF
Karifa Yao
Vancouver Whitecaps
Free transfer
January 23, 2024
[41]
21
MF
Kofi Twumasi
Atlanta United 2
Free transfer
January 24, 2024
[42]
30
GK
Nate Silveira
Crown Legacy FC
Free transfer
February 20, 2024
[43]
19
MF
Kevin Vang
Providence Friars
Free transfer
February 20, 2024
[43]
2
DF
Nathan Messer
Providence Friars
Free transfer
March 13, 2024
[43]
4
DF
Collin Smith
New England Revolution II
Free transfer
March 29, 2024
[43]
25
MF
Kevin Orduy
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
Free transfer
April 25, 2024
[44]
80
MF
Isaac Angking
Columbus Crew 2
Free transfer
April 30, 2024
[45]
8
MF
Jack Panayotou
New England Revolution
Loan
May 10, 2024
[46]
As of 10 May 2024 [47]
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.[48]
USL Championship [ edit ]
Eastern Conference [ edit ]
Updated to match(es) played on June 1, 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
12
1
8
3
11
17
−6
11
0
5
1
4
6
−2
1
3
2
7
11
−4
Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Stadium H A A H H A H A H A H A H A A H A A H H A A H H A H A A H A H H A H Result D D L D D W L D D L D D Eastern Conference 10 11 11 11 11 8 8 10 9 10 11 11
Updated to match(es) played on June 1, 2024. Source:
Match reports A = Away;
H = Home;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
Regular Season [ edit ]
All times in Eastern Time Zone .
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]
Player statistics [ edit ]
Assists [ edit ]
Clean Sheets [ edit ]
Place
Pos.
No.
Name
USL Championship
US Open Cup
USLC Playoffs
Total
1
GK
22
Jackson Lee
2
0
0
2
1
GK
1
Koke Vegas
2
0
0
2
Total
4
0
0
4
Disciplinary [ edit ]
League Honors [ edit ]
2024 Season
USL Team of the Week
USL Coach of the Week
References [ edit ]
^ a b c "Rhode Island FC Signs First Player Ahead of Inaugural Season" . November 1, 2023.
^ "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 .
^ " 'The community seems hungry for soccer': Rhode Island FC steps onto the pitch" . Boston Globe. January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Announces 2024 Preseason Schedule" . Rhode Island FC. January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024 .
^ a b Rowdies Communications (December 3, 2023). "Rowdies Transfer JJ Williams to Rhode Island" (Press release). Tampa Bay Rowdies . Retrieved December 3, 2023 .
^ a b "Rhode Island FC Welcomes 2023 USL Championship Player of the Year Albert Dikwa" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved January 19, 2024 .
^ "2024 USL Season Preview" . USL Tactics . February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024 .
^ "Rhode Island's new professional soccer team kicks off for the first time ever" . Boston Globe. March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024 .
^ @rhodeislandfc (March 16, 2024). "IT'S OFFICIAL" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ "RIFC v New Mexico United" . USLChampionship.com . March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Draws Monterey Bay F.C. 2-2 in Inaugural Away Match" . Rhode Island FC. March 24, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024 .
^ "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 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Falls 4-1 at Tampa Bay Rowdies in First Loss of the Season" . March 30, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Battles to Scoreless Draw With Charleston Battery" . Rhode Island FC. April 6, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024 .
^ "Jackson Lee Leads Rhode Island FC to Second-Consecutive Shutout" . Rhode Island FC. April 13, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024 .
^ a b "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 5" . USLChampionship.com . USL Championship. April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 .
^ a b "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 6" . USLChampionship.com . USL Championship. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024 .
^ 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 .
^ "2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Schedule, Results" . Thecup.us. March 3, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024 .
^ "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 .
^ a b c "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 7" . USLChampionship.com . USL Championship. April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Falls 3-1 to Defending League Champions in First Home Loss" . Rhode Island FC. April 26, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024 .
^ "Conor McGlynn makes move to Rhode Island FC" . USLChampionship.com . USL Championship . November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023 .
^ "Hartford Athletic Twitter" . X (formerly Twitter) . November 6, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023 .
^ Reimann, B. "Rhode Island FC Signs Former San Diego Loyal SC Defender" . RhodeIslandFC.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved December 9, 2023 .
^ "⚓ Anchors up as we continue to build the squad!" . Twitter.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved December 9, 2023 .
^ Bulls, New York Red. "New York Red Bulls" . New York Red Bulls . Retrieved December 10, 2023 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Signs Former St Patrick's Athletic Forward" . www.rhodeislandfc.com . November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023 .
^ 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 .
^ Reimann, B. "Rhode Island FC Signs Liberian National Team Member" . RhodeIslandFC.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved December 1, 2023 .
^ Gadbois, Stephen. "Rhode Island FC Adds Another Midfielder" . TheBlazingMusket.com . Retrieved December 9, 2023 .
^ "✍️ Gabriel Alves will officially be wearing the Amber and Blue!" . Twitter.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved December 11, 2023 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Signs USL Midfielder Marc Ybarra" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved December 14, 2023 .
^ "✍️ 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 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Signee Drafted in First Round of MLS SuperDraft" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved December 30, 2023 .
^ "✍️ 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 .
^ "Correction: Turnbull made 5 starts and 11 appearances for NYCFC in 2023" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved December 30, 2023 .
^ "✍️ 🆕 Former @cfmontreal wingback, Jojea Kwizera is heading to the Ocean State!" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved January 19, 2024 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Adds Midfielder Clay Holstad" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved January 19, 2024 .
^ "✍️ 🆕 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 .
^ "🆕✍️ We've signed former @whitecapsfc defender Karifa Yao to bolster the defense" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved January 29, 2024 .
^ "🆕 ✍️ Kofi Twumasi has been added to the roster!" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved January 29, 2024 .
^ a b c d "RIFC Welcomes Pair of Rhode Island Natives" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved February 20, 2024 .
^ @RhodeIslandFC (April 26, 2024). " "We've added Kevin Orduy to our 2024 USL Championship roster..." " (Tweet ). Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Twitter .
^ "Rhode Island FC Signs Providence Native Isaac Angking to 2024 Roster" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved May 4, 2024 .
^ "Rhode Island FC Acquires Jack Panayotou on Loan from New England Revolution" . rhodeislandfc.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved May 18, 2024 .
^ "Front Office" . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved July 18, 2023 .
^ Reimann, B. "Bermuda Football Association Hosts Rhode Island FC for Pre-Season Training Camp" . RhodeIslandFC.com . Rhode Island FC . Retrieved December 9, 2023 .
^ "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 2" . USLChampionship.com . USL Championship. March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024 .
^ "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 3" . USLChampionship.com . USL Championship. March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024 .
^ "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 12" . USLChampionship.com . USL Championship. May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024 .
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