2025 Rhode Island FC season

RIFC's preseason included a local training camp in Rhode Island, followed by extended training in Florida at IMG Academy, and exhibition games against east coast teams. RIFC played closed-door preseason games against Philadelphia Union II, Orlando City SC, Hartford Athletic, and open friendly matches in Bermuda against the Bermuda National Team and the Portland Hearts of Pine.^[5]

The team entered the season with media and player expectations of being a contender for the Eastern Conference title, and were considered likely to host a home playoff game.^[6] Sixteen players returned from the previous season's lineup,^[7][8][9] and signings of Maxi Rodriguez,^[10] Dani Rovira,^[11] and Hugo Bacharach^[12] supplemented the squad members who were defending Eastern Conference champions.

Due to the pending completion of Centreville Bank Stadium, RIFC started their season with five consecutive scheduled league road games, as well as away games in the U.S. Open Cup and USL Cup.

After a first-week-of-the-season bye, Rhode Island opened on March 15 at Charleston Battery, losing 2–0, in a game that was a rematch of their 2024 playoff game.^[13] Their second game was at Phoenix Rising FC on March 22, where an opening goal from JJ Wiliams and an own goal from a Phoenix player were enough to secure a 2–2 tie.^[14]

RIFC concluded March with a 2–0 loss away against Loudon United FC, only taking six shots during the match. Five RIFC players received yellow cards, and Zachary Herivaux received a red card in second-half stoppage time.^[15][16]

Continuing their string of road games, RIFC won their first game of the season in their fourth attempt, on April 5, 3–0 at Oakland Roots. Three RIFC players scored in the first half, and Koke Vegas recorded his first of 11 regular-season clean sheets.^[17][18]

RIFC was drawn into the US Open Cup Third Round, and played away at the Portland Hearts of Pine on April 15. With the Hearts playing in their first season, the game was held in Lewiston, Maine, as Fitzpatrick Stadium, like Centreville Bank Stadium, was not yet fully operational for soccer. RIFC had early goals from Clay Holstad and Frank Nodarse, and hung on for a 2–1 win, with both sides playing with 10 men at the end. The win was RIFC’s first in an Open Cup game.^[19][20]

RIFC traveled to Keyworth Stadium in Detroit on April 19. An early red card to Frank Nodarse resulted in RIFC playing most of the game against Detroit City FC with 10 men. They lost 2–0 in their last league game of the month, ending the month in 10th place in the USL Championship.^[21][22]

The first game of the 2025 USL Cup was on April 27, played at Westchester SC. Though Westchester had played a home game in the US Open Cup against an amateur team, the RIFC game was the first game played at The Stadium at Memorial Field against a professional opponent. RIFC scored three goals in the first half, and won the game 4–1.^[23]

RIFC’s home opener on May 3 was the first official game at Centreville Bank Stadium. The game was announced as a 10,700-person sellout, two hundred over the nominal capacity. RIFC played to a 0–0 draw against San Antonio FC. Opening ceremonies included a flyover from the Rhode Island National Guard, with dignitaries in attendance.^[24][25]

After the April 17 draw in the US Open Cup, RIFC was matched with the New England Revolution for a round-of-32 game at home on May 7.^[26] RIFC’s first meeting with an MLS opponent resulted in a 2–1 loss. Tomás Chancalay scored the first goal in Centerville Bank Stadium history, and RIFC’s first goal was scored by Maxi Rodriguez. Though the game was tied late into regular time, an 88th minute goal from Cristiano Oliveira was the game-winner.^[27][28]

RIFC continued their homestand with a May 10 game against Monterey Bay FC. RIFC’s first regular-season goal at Centreville was scored by Joe Brito in the 77th minute to secure a 1–1 draw.^[29][30] The goal was later selected as the team’s 2025 “goal of the year,” and was a finalist for USL Championship-wide goal of the year.^[31][32]

The following week, RIFC embarked on a two-game road trip with matches on May 14 and 17 at Birmingham Legion FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies. Clean-sheet victories of 1–0^[33] and 3–0^[34] gave them their first two-game winning streak of the season.  

On May 24, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds came to Centreville Bank Stadium in the first of a home-and-home series, consisting of regular-season and USL Cup games. At RIFC, the home team lost 1–0,^[35] and in the Cup rematch away on May 31, RIFC won 1–0 in Pittsburgh on a first-half Jojea Kwizera goal.^[36]

RIFC closed the month in 6th place in the Eastern Conference, the highest point they would reach in the standings over the course of the season.

RIFC played Miami FC at home on June 7. With goalie/captain Koke Vegas unavailable due to injury, Jackson Lee started in the first of eight consecutive league games. RIFC lost 1–0 on a Miami goal early in the second half.^[37]

The following Wednesday, on June 11, RIFC played away at Louisville City FC, losing 2–1. The lone RIFC goal was an own goal scored by Kyle Adams of Louisville. This was the team's third straight league loss, RIFC’s longest losing streak of the season.^[38][39]

On June 14, at home against North Carolina FC, With the score tied 1–1 for most of the game, Maxi Rodriguez converted a 95th-minute penalty shot to give RIFC their first win at Centreville Bank Stadium.^[40][41]

On June 21, RIFC lost at home to Sacramento Republic FC 2–0. Nearing the halfway point of the regular season, they sat in 8th place, and had a 1-4-2 regular season home record.^[42][43]

RIFC’s June 27 game was a USL Cup match against Portland Hearts of Pine. In their second game this season against Hearts, Albert Dikwa scored the first hat trick in USL Cup history, recording three of his eight goals of the season in all competitions. Coach Khano Smith was given two yellow cards during the halftime break, ejected from the game, and suspended for the next USL Cup match against Hartford. During the second half, Smith was spotted on top of the Centreville Bank Stadium roof, drawing media attention for his actions.^[44][45][46] Noah Fuson added a fourth goal late in the game to complete a 4–1 victory, putting RIFC in control of the Group 4 standings in their Cup group.^[47]

Rhode Island’s July 5 game was a 1–1 draw with Birmingham Legion FC. Noah Fuson scored late in the first half to tie the game, and the game ended without additional scoring. RIFC set the attendance record at Centreville Bank Stadium with an announced 10,749-person sellout, the second of four sellouts during the season.^[48][49]

RIFC traveled to Indy Eleven on July 12, and lost 1–0. JJ Williams returned to the lineup after having been out since April due to injury.^[50]

The first of two consecutive El Clamico rivalry games against Hartford Athletic was a nationally-televised league game on July 19. Neither team was able to score. Multiple yellow cards were issued in second-half stoppage time. The game ended with high intensity, with an additional yellow card being issued to a Hartford player after the game ended.^[51][52][53] Outside the stadium, RIFC and Hartford fans got into a minor altercation as fans departed, with one RIFC fan arrested for disorderly conduct.^[54]

RIFC hosted a July 24 “kit reveal” event at Centreville Bank Stadium for fans to see the stadium and meet players. The team publicized their “wave kit,” with a design based on the Rhode Island license plate.^[55][56]

In the follow-up El Clamico game on July 26, part of the USL Cup Group Stage, RIFC played to a 2–2 tie with Hartford. RIFC entered the game only needing a draw to finish at the top of Group 4, and secured their spot as group winner. Despite Hartford playing a man down for most of the game, a Hartford second-half goal was enough to even the game. Hartford outscored RIFC in the ensuing penalty shootout, winning 4–3. By winning the shootout, Hartford also moved on in the USL Cup.^[57][58]

At the end of July, the team was in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.

On August 2, RIFC traveled to Pittsburgh for a game against the Riverhounds. RIFC did not score, and with the team already down 2–0, JJ Williams received a red card in the 69th minute.^[59]

Four days later, RIFC hosted Detroit City FC at Centreville Bank Stadium. Maxi Rodriguez converted a penalty shot in the 60th minute, as the only goal in a 1–0 RIFC victory. Koke Vegas returned to the lineup for the first time since May.^[60][61]

The team played August 9 at home against Loudoun United FC, and finished with a scoreless tie.^[62][63]

On August 20, RIFC hosted Birmingham Legion FC in a rainy quarterfinal game of the USL Cup. Dwayne Atkinson, who had joined the team on August 7 from Cavalier F.C. of the Jamaica Premier League,^[64] scored his only goal of the season to bring Rhode Island a 1–0 victory. RIFC advanced to the semifinals of the Cup.^[65]

In the third El Clamico of the season, RIFC traveled to Hartford on August 23 for their regular-season away game. The Athletic scored an early goal, and added two in the second half, one after a red card by Aldair Sanchez, for a 3–0 Rhode Island loss.^[66][67] This was the only game of the entire season in which RIFC gave up more than two goals.

Second-place Charleston Battery visited RIFC on August 30. JJ Williams’ 69th-minute goal was RIFC’s first during the run of play in a league game since July 5, and was enough for a 1–0 victory. RIFC finished the month in 8th place in the Eastern Conference.^[68][69]

Rhode Island opened September with a sold-out home game against first-place Louisville City FC on September 6. The game was delayed by heavy rain for approximately an hour. Though Louisville only had 4 shots during the game, they scored in the first half, and won the game 1–0. ^[70][71]

RIFC hosted Sacramento Republic FC four days later in one of the two USL Cup semifinal games. The teams played to a 0–0 tie after regulation. RIFC lost the penalty shootout 3–0, failing to convert any of their three penalty kicks.^[72][73]

On September 13, ninth-place RIFC hosted eighth-place Indy Eleven. A deflected cross-pass resulted in an own goal off James Musa of Indianapolis, and was the difference in a 1–0 Rhode Island victory. This was the third own goal scored in favor of RIFC on the season, which tied them for the league lead.^[74] With the victory, RIFC moved into a playoff position, and did not fall below the playoff line for the rest of the season.^[75][76]

On September 19, Rhode Island played away at Miami FC. RIFC was awarded a penalty shot in the second half, scored by Jojea Kwizera. That was the only goal in a 1–0 RIFC victory.^[77][78]

RIFC traveled to El Paso Locomotive FC for a September 26 game. RIFC took the lead twice, on goals from Zachary Herivaux and JJ Williams, but an own goal for El Paso off the foot of Clay Holstad allowed the Locomotive to tie the game 2–2. This was the first league game in which RIFC scored multiple goals since June 14. September ended with Rhode Island in eight place in the Eastern Conference.^[79]

Las Vegas Lights FC came to Centreville Bank Stadium on October 5. Though a full game was played, and 9,879 fans watched a 3–1 Rhode Island victory, Las Vegas was officially assigned a 3–0 forfeit loss the following day. Las Vegas player Vaughn Covil was brought in as an 84th-minute substitute, but had not been on the eligible game roster, requiring a mandatory forfeit. All statistics, including second-half goals from Hugo Bacharach, Noah Fuson, and JJ Williams were officially wiped out.^[80][81]

Rhode Island played Tampa Bay Rowdies in their final home game on October 12. In front of a sellout crowd, RIFC scored early and followed up with four more goals for a 5–0 victory, their largest of the season. JJ Williams scored in the 8th minute, Noah Fuson in the 20th, and Williams later converted a penalty to give a 3–0 halftime lead. Albert Dikwa and Maxi Rodriguez both scored in the second half.^[82][83]

RIFC traveled to North Carolina FC on October 19. The team played a scoreless tie, its sixth straight game without a loss. Koke Vegas recorded his eleventh clean sheet of the regular season, good for second in the league. RIFC’s point in the standings was enough to clinch a playoff spot.^[84]

In the regular-season finale, RIFC played New Mexico United away. Hugo Bacharach’s only recorded goal of the season tied the game at 1–1, but a New Mexico penalty shot provided the difference in a 2–1 victory.^[85][86]

RIFC finished the regular season in 7th place, giving them their second playoff appearance their two years of existence. The team chose a motto of “BELIEVE” for use during the playoff run, and created a logo with a “RI” motif and team crest embedded inside the letters “B” and “E.”^[87]

Rhode Island traveled to Charleston Battery for the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on November 2. The teams finished regular time with no score, and players from both teams received red cards in second-half stoppage time. By USL playoff rules, the game went to 30 minutes of extra time, and again, no goals were scored. In the ensuing penalty shootout, RIFC won, 5–4, with all five RIFC players hitting their shots. This was RIFC’s first penalty shootout victory, in their fourth attempt. RIFC eliminated Charleston in the playoffs for the second straight year, and moved on to the next round.^[88]

One of the two Eastern Conference Semifinal games was played at North Carolina FC on November 9. Five days before the game, NCFC ownership announced that the team would be ceasing competition in the USL Championship. The team decided to go on hiatus, with a pending application into the future USL Division One league will not start until at least 2028.^[89] This put RIFC in the position of possibly ending NCFC’s existence as a going concern, allowing all NCFC players to become free agents, and the Carolina team playing their last game ever.^[90][91]

The RIFC–NCFC game was scoreless at halftime. Albert Dikwa scored a pair of goals in the second half and Koke Vegas recorded his second consecuitve playoff clean sheet, to give Rhode Island a 2–0 victory, eliminate NCFC from the playoffs, and move RIFC on to their second consecutive Eastern Conference Final.^[92][93]

The Eastern Conference Final was held on November 16 in Pittsburgh. RIFC played Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in front of the largest crowd ever at Highmark Stadium. Rhode Island played a scoreless first half, and fell behind in the 53rd minute on a Robbie Mertz goal. Less than 10 minutes later, Marc Ybarra received a second yellow card and was sent off. Though RIFC had offensive chances, they did not score, lost 1–0, and were eliminated from the playoffs.^[94][95]

No.	Pos.	Player	Transferred from	Fee/notes	Date	Source
21	MF	Maxi Rodriguez	Detroit City FC	Free transfer	December 3, 2024	[10]
4	DF	Hugo Bacharach	Minnesota United FC	Free transfer	December 31, 2024	[12]
8	MF	Taimu Okiyoshi	Marshall University	Free transfer	January 16, 2025	[96]
2	DF	Dani Rovira	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	Free transfer	January 18, 2025	[11]
3	DF	Aldair Sanchez	Sacramento Republic FC	Free transfer	February 7, 2025	[97]
13	GK	Will Meyer	New York City FC II	Free transfer	February 7, 2025	[98]
16	DF	Cole Dewhurst	Providence College	Free transfer	February 11, 2025	[99]
14	DF	Rio Hope-Gund	New York City FC	Free transfer	April 4, 2025	[100][101]
6	DF	Aimé Mabika	Toronto FC	Free transfer	May 2, 2025	[102]
36	MF	Matthew Corcoran	Nashville FC	Loan	August 5, 2025	[103]
7	MF	Dwayne Atkinson	Cavalier FC	Undisclosed fee	August 7, 2025	[64]
27	FW	Mathieu Ndongo	Al-Riffa SC	Undisclosed fee	August 25, 2025	[104]
32	DF	Hamady Diop	San Diego FC	Free Transfer	September 8, 2025	[105]

Date	Pos.	Player	Transaction	Details	New Club	Ref.
January 18, 2025	DF	Stephen Turnbull	Transfer	Undisclosed Fee	Birmingham Legion FC	[9]
July 16, 2025	MF	Taimu Okiyoshi	Loan Out	Remainder of Season	Westchester SC	[106]
July 25, 2025	MF	Isaac Angking	Loan Out	Remainder of Season	Forward Madison SC	[107]
September 9, 2025	MF	Matthew Corcoran	Recall of Loan		Nashville FC	[108]
December 3, 2025	MF	Isaac Angking	Released	Option Declined		[109]
December 3, 2025	MF	Joe Brito	Released	End of Contract	Retired[110]	[109]
December 3, 2025	DF	Cole Dewhurst	Released	Option Declined		[109]
December 3, 2025	DF	Rio Hope-Gund	Released	End of Contract	Detroit City FC[111]	[109]
December 3, 2025	GK	Jackson Lee	Released	End of Contract	Brooklyn FC[112]	[109]
December 3, 2025	MF	Taimu Okiyoshi	Released	Option Declined	Brooklyn FC[113]	[109]
December 3, 2025	MF	Marc Ybarra	Released	End of Contract	Las Vegas Lights FC[114]	[109]

Though goalkeeper Will Meyer was originally announced as having his option declined,^[109] he was subsequently re-signed for the 2026 season.^[115]

As of September 9, 2025^[116]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ESP Koke Vegas 2 DF  COL Dani Rovira 3 DF  USA Aldair Sanchez 4 DF  ESP Hugo Bacharach 5 DF  USA Grant Stoneman 6 DF  ZAM Aimé Mabika 7 MF  JAM Dwayne Atkinson 8 MF  JPN Taimu Okiyoshi (on loan to Westchester SC) 9 FW  USA JJ Williams 10 FW  CMR Albert Dikwa 11 FW  USA Noah Fuson 12 MF  USA Clay Holstad 13 GK  USA Will Meyer 14 DF  USA Rio Hope-Gund

No. Pos. Nation Player 15 DF  CUB Frank Nodarse 16 DF  USA Cole Dewhurst 17 MF  RWA Jojea Kwizera 18 MF  USA Joe Brito 19 MF  USA Kevin Vang 20 MF  HAI Zachary Herivaux 21 MF  USA Maxi Rodriguez 22 GK  AUS Jackson Lee 23 MF  USA Marc Ybarra 24 DF  CAN Karifa Yao 27 FW  CMR Mathieu Ndongo 32 DF  SEN Hamady Diop 77 MF  USA Amos Shapiro-Thompson 80 MF  PUR Isaac Angking (on loan to Forward Madison SC)