2024 Rhode Island FC season

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]

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 the USL Championship 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]

The team opened May with a goalless draw on the road at North Carolina. Koke Vegas returned from injury absence and recorded his first clean sheet for the team.^[23]

On May 10, RIFC announced that New England Revolution midfielder Jack Panayotou was sent on loan to the team.^[24] Panayotou played the following day in their game against unbeaten Western Conference first-place Sacramento Republic FC, providing an assist on the team's go-ahead goal.^[25] A late Sacramento goal resulted in a 2-2 tie.^[26]

On May 23, the Boston Globe reported that team President Brett Luy was leaving the team to take a special advisory position with Fortuitous Partners, the corporation that is developing the team's Tidewater Landing stadium.^[27]

The team's final game in May was against second-place Louisville City FC. The goalless draw at home was the first time in the 2024 season that a clean sheet was recorded against the Louisville team.^[28]

David Peart, a former cable and sports executive, was named team President on May 31.^[29][30] In subsequent interviews, Peart indicated that his top priority for the team was to help raise RIFC's profile and prepare for the opening of the team's new stadium in 2025.^[31]

The team began the month of June with their first rivalry game away against Hartford Athletic. The as-yet-unnamed derby^[32] featured the two closest teams geographically in the USL,^[33] and drew a sellout crowd in Hartford. RIFC scored on a fourth-minute Mark Doyle goal, and held on for a 1-1 tie in the derby.^[34]

Upon return to Rhode Island, the team lost to Detroit City FC 2-0,^[35] but then started a streak of unbeaten games. In their away game against Memphis 901 FC they took an early 2-0 lead, and held on for a 2-2 tie after an 87th-minute Koke Vegas red card.^[36]

In international play away from the team, Jojea Kwizera played for the Rwandan National Team, and Isaac Angking played for Puerto Rico.^[37] Kwizera’s goal in international play was the first by an RIFC team member, and was the only goal in a 1-0 Rwandan victory.^[38]

RIFC traveled to Kentucky on June 22, and recorded a 5-2 victory over Louisville City FC, setting a team record for goals, in what was reported as one of the most unexpected USL wins of the year. Louisville had been previously undefeated at home. RIFC’s 5 goals were the most ever given up by Louisville in a home match.^[39][40] Khano Smith was named USL Coach of the Week, and Jojea Kwizera named to the Team of the Week after the victory.^[41]

Four days later, RIFC recorded their first home win, in a 3-0 victory over El Paso Locomotive. The victory came in their eighth home game, after 5 ties and two losses. Jackson Lee’s third clean sheet brought them up to 9th place at the end of the month, one space out of the playoffs.^[42]

RIFC opened July with a home game against Indy Eleven. The team came back from a 2-0 deficit with two goals from Frank Nodarse, then a late Isaac Angking comeback goal secured a 3-3 tie.^[43] At the end of the game, the team was in 8th place in the standings, the first time they’d been in a playoff position since late April.

The team had a two-game roadtrip to Miami FC and Birmingham Legion, with 3-2 and 3-1 respective victories. Albert Dikwa scored a brace in the Miami game.^[44] In Birmingham, Noah Fuson scored in the first minute, and a brace from newly-signed Zachary Herivaux provided the rest of the offense.^[45] At the completion of the Birmingham game, the team was on a five-game streak of scoring 3 or more goals.

Upon returning home at the end of July, RIFC beat North Carolina FC 2-1, coming back from another deficit to win.^[46]

Over the entire month of July, the team’s three wins and a tie were enough to earn coach Khano Smith the USL Coach of the Month award.^[47] The team ended the month on a 7-game undefeated streak.

Rhode Island FC’s August 3 game against Detroit City FC was one of three 2024 USL games nationally televised on CBS.^[48] RIFC fell behind in the second half, but came back to tie on a stoppage-time goal by Clay Holstad.^[49][50]

The team followed up the Detroit game with a mid-week 1-0 loss to Indy Eleven in Indianapolis. The team made six changes to their lineup from the previous game, and ended their 8-match undefeated stretch.^[51]

On August 10, RIFC hosted Hartford Athletic in their second derby game. The rivalry game, which was described by fans as “El Clamico,”^[52] was won by Rhode Island by a 3-0 score.^[53][54]

RIFC’s next matches against the Oakland Roots and Loudon United were 1-1 and 0-0 draws, respectively.^[55] Koke Vegas saved a second-half stoppage time penalty shot to preserve the scoreless tie.^[56] A 2-0 home win against Birmingham Legion FC closed the month, with RIFC sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.^[57]

RIFC opened September with a two-game roadtrip to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Orange County FC. After only losing one game since June, the team failed to score in either game, losing 2-0 and 1-0 away. In the Pittsburgh game, RIFC managed only three shots.^[58][59] The Orange County loss created the first losing streak in team history, and put the team on the cusp of falling out of the playoff race.^[60]

Returning to Beirne Stadium, the team won 2-1 over FC Tulsa, scoring another second-half stoppage-time goal to secure the victory.^[61]

RIFC closed September with a 3-1 win away at San Antonio FC. Albert Dikwa’s goal 18 seconds into the game set the team record for earliest goal in a game.^[62]

RIFC team entered October looking to clinch a home playoff game.^[63] In their first game of the month against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at home, they notched a 3-1 victory, with goals from three different players.^[64]

Their home game against Loudoun United was their second goalless draw against the team; Loudoun was the only team against which RIFC neither scored nor allowed a goal.^[65]

RIFC then traveled to Charleston Battery for their final road game of the regular season. Though they took a 1-0 lead, they ended in a 1-1 tie against Charleston. The draw was RIFC’s 15th of the season, setting the USL Championship single-season record.^[66]

Rhode Island closed the season against the last-place Miami FC. They routed the team, scoring an 8-1 victory. JJ Williams scored a hat trick, and five other players contributed one goal each.^[67] Noah Fuson had his league-leading 10th assist.^[68] The eight goals and 7-goal margin of victory were team records, and the highest across the entire USL Championship in 2024.^[69]

By finishing fifth in the USL Eastern Conference, RIFC qualified for the USL playoffs. They were the first true expansion team in 5 years to make the playoffs,^[70] and missed the opportunity for a first-round home playoff game only by losing the head-to-head points tiebreaker with Indy Eleven.

Their first-round away playoff game against Indy Eleven was held on Sunday, November 4. JJ Williams netted a hat trick in his second consecutive game as RIFC advanced with a 3-2 victory.^[71]

RIFC traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for their Eastern Conference semi-final game, against Louisville City FC. RIFC was the only team to defeat Louisville at their home stadium during the regular season, and did it again in the playoffs, with a 3-0 win. JJ Williams again scored multiple goals, and Albert Dikwa scored late to seal the victory.^[72]

RIFC defeated Charleston Battery 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Championship game on November 17.The team scored two goals, and hung on for a 2-1 win.^[73][74]

Rhode Island played in the USL Championship Game on November 23 against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. RIFC lost 3-0, and finished the season as Eastern Conference Champions.^[75]

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	[76][77]
5	DF	Grant Stoneman	San Diego Loyal	Free transfer	November 8, 2023	[78]
77	MF	Amos Shapiro-Thompson	New York Red Bulls II	Free transfer	November 9, 2023	[79][80]
14	FW	Mark Doyle	St Patrick's Athletic	Free transfer	November 21, 2023	[81][82]
7	MF	Prince Saydee	Hartford Athletic	Free transfer	December 1, 2023	[83]
9	FW	JJ Williams	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Undisclosed fee	December 4, 2023	[5]
18	MF	Joe Brito	Union Omaha	Free transfer	December 7, 2023	[84]
16	DF	Gabriel Alves	Birmingham Legion	Free transfer	December 11, 2023	[85]
23	MF	Marc Ybarra	Pittsburgh Riverhounds	Free transfer	December 14, 2023	[86]
15	DF	Frank Nodarse	Rio Grande Valley FC Toros	Free transfer	December 21, 2023	[87]
22	GK	Jackson Lee	West Virginia Mountaineers	Free transfer	December 22, 2023	[88]
3	DF	Stephen Turnbull	New York City FC	Free transfer	December 29, 2023	[89][90]
17	MF	Jojea Kwizera	CF Montreal	Free transfer	January 4, 2024	[91]
12	DF	Clay Holstad	Columbus Crew 2	Free transfer	January 12, 2024	[92]
11	FW	Noah Fuson	Columbus Crew 2	Free transfer	January 16, 2024	[93]
10	FW	Albert Dikwa	Pittsburgh Riverhounds	Free transfer	January 19, 2024	[6]
24	DF	Karifa Yao	Vancouver Whitecaps	Free transfer	January 23, 2024	[94]
21	MF	Kofi Twumasi	Atlanta United 2	Free transfer	January 24, 2024	[95]
30	GK	Nate Silveira	Crown Legacy FC	Free transfer	February 20, 2024	[96]
19	MF	Kevin Vang	Providence Friars	Free transfer	February 20, 2024	[96]
2	DF	Nathan Messer	Providence Friars	Free transfer	March 13, 2024	[96]
4	DF	Collin Smith	New England Revolution II	Free transfer	March 29, 2024	[96]
25	MF	Kevin Orduy	Rio Grande Valley FC Toros	Free transfer	April 25, 2024	[97]
80	MF	Isaac Angking	Columbus Crew 2	Free transfer	April 30, 2024	[98]
8	MF	Jack Panayotou	New England Revolution	Loan	May 10, 2024	[99]
20	MF	Zachary Herivaux	Tampa Bay Rowdies	Undisclosed fee	July 3, 2024	[100]
6	DF	Morris Duggan	Minnesota United FC	Loan	August 9, 2024	[101]
8	MF	Jack Panayotou	New England Revolution	Loan	August 30, 2024	[102]

Date	Pos.	Player	Transaction	Details	New Club	Ref.
June 4, 2024	MF	Jack Panayotou	Recall of loan		New England Revolution	[103]
June 27, 2024	MF	Prince Saydee	Transfer	Undisclosed Fee	Charleston Battery	[104]
December 1, 2024	MF	Kofi Twumasi	Released	Option Declined	El Paso Locomotive[105]	[106]
December 1, 2024	DF	Morris Duggan	Recall of loan		Minnesota United FC	[106]
December 1, 2024	MF	Jack Panayotou	Recall of loan		New England Revolution	[106]
December 1, 2024	MF	Nathan Messer	Released	Option Declined	Portland Hearts of Pine[107]	[106]
December 1, 2024	FW	Mark Doyle	Released	Option Declined	One Knoxville SC[108]	[106]
December 1, 2024	DF	Gabriel Alves	Released	Option Declined	South Georgia Tormenta FC[109]	[106]
December 1, 2024	MF	Conor McGlynn	Released	Option Declined	Westchester SC[110]	[106]
December 1, 2024	DF	Collin Smith	Released	End of Contract	Phoenix Rising FC[111]	[106]
December 1, 2024	GK	Nate Silveira	Released	End of Contract	Retired[112]	[106]

Though their options were not renewed by RIFC at the December 1 deadline,^[106] contracts for Kevin Vang, Amos Shapiro-Thompson, and Isaac Angking were subsequently picked up for the 2025 season.^[113]

As of August 30, 2024^[114]

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	ESP	Koke Vegas
2	DF	ENG	Nathan Messer
3	DF	USA	Stephen Turnbull
4	DF	USA	Collin Smith
5	DF	USA	Grant Stoneman
6	DF	GER	Morris Duggan
8	MF	USA	Jack Panayotou
9	FW	USA	JJ Williams
10	FW	CMR	Albert Dikwa
11	FW	USA	Noah Fuson
12	DF	USA	Clay Holstad
14	FW	IRL	Mark Doyle
15	DF	CUB	Frank Nodarse
16	DF	BRA	Gabriel Alves
17	MF	RWA	Jojea Kwizera
18	MF	USA	Joe Brito
19	MF	USA	Kevin Vang
20	MF	HAI	Zachary Herivaux
21	MF	GHA	Kofi Twumasi
22	GK	AUS	Jackson Lee
23	MF	USA	Marc Ybarra
24	DF	CAN	Karifa Yao
25	MF	COL	Kevin Orduy
28	MF	USA	Conor McGlynn
30	GK	USA	Nate Silveira
77	MF	USA	Amos Shapiro-Thompson
80	MF	PUR	Isaac Angking

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.^[115]

Bermuda Select v Rhode Island FC

February 25	Bermuda Select	0–8	Rhode Island FC	Hamilton, Bermuda
6:00PM		Report	Fuson Kwizera Brito Saydee Ybarra	Stadium: Dame Flora Duffy South Field Stadium

Bermuda Select v Rhode Island FC

February 27	Bermuda Select	1–5	Rhode Island FC	Hamilton, Bermuda
8:00PM	Hall	Report	Dikwa Angking (trialist) Fuson Saydee	Stadium: Dame Flora Duffy South Field Stadium

All times in Eastern Time Zone.

Indy Eleven v Rhode Island FC

August 7 22	Indy Eleven	1–0	Rhode Island FC	Indianapolis, IN
7:00PM	Guenzatti 34'  50' Martínez  37' Diz  90+5'	Report	Stoneman  44'	Stadium: Carroll Stadium Attendance: 8,091 Referee: Ricardo Fierro

Rhode Island FC v Oakland Roots

August 17 24	Rhode Island FC	1–1	Oakland Roots	Smithfield, RI
7:30PM	Dikwa  57' 87' Nodarse  57' Kwizera  89'	Report	Riley  22' Hackshaw 33'  72' Diaz  90+6'	Stadium: Beirne Stadium Attendance: 3,662 Referee: Brandon Stevis

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]

Charlotte Independence (USL1) v Rhode Island FC (USLC)

April 16, 2024 Third Round	Charlotte Independence (USL1)	4–4 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p)	Rhode Island FC (USLC)	Charlotte, North Carolina
7:00PM	Obregon 26' (pen.), 95' Mbuyu 35' Álvarez 72'  81' Pack  108' Dimick  120'	Report	McGlynn 11' Messer 45+2' Twumasi  50' Holstad 50' Doyle  55' Yao  90+8' Turnbull 115'	Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,865 Referee: Shawn Tehini
	Penalties
	Belmar Mbuyu Álvarez Spielman Dimick Djedje Sorenson		Dikwa Fuson Kwizera Doyle Brito Holstad Alves