Charlotte Independence defeat Rhode Island FC after penalties in US Open Cup
SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (0-4-1, 4 pts. in USL Championship) were defeated after 120 minutes of play in a 4-4 clash (5-4 in penalties) versus Charlotte Independence (13-10-9, 49 pts. in USL League One)
The match kicked off at 7:00 p.m. ET at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina to a crowd of 10,001.
Your #RIFC starting XI!
Rhode Island native Kevin Vang takes the captain's armband tonight for our first-ever @opencup match!#WickedGoodLineup pic.twitter.com/VbYdl4ueJr
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 16, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 3-5-2 formation with goalkeeper Jackson Lee starting in the net with a backline of Gabriel Alves (left), Frank Nodarse (center) and Karifa Yao (right). The midfield consisted of Kofi Twumasi (left) Nathan Messer (left center mid), Prince Saydee (central), Conor McGlynn (right center mid) and Collin Smith (right). The forward roles were manned by Mark Doyle (left) and Kevin Vang (right).
Rhode Island native Kevin Vang wore the captain’s armband for the first time of his career.
Tonight's @opencup starting XI. pic.twitter.com/UTtO3Fchyq
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 16, 2024
The match kicked off with RIFC starting in the center circle. Forward Mark Doyle played the ball backwards to Kevin Vang as Rhode Island elected to build out of the back.
In the 11th minute, RIFC gained the early 1-0 advantage.
Conor McGlynn slots home the first @opencup goal in #RIFC history!#WickedGoodGoal pic.twitter.com/Eowp61cHty
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 16, 2024
Following a low-driven into the box by Collin Smith, the ball found midfielder Conor McGlynn for the one-time right-footed finish into the bottom right corner.
Just 12 minutes later, in the 24th minute, Charlotte Independence won a penalty kick after a collision between Juan Carles Obregón Jr. and Gabriel Alves.
Juan Carlos Obregón from the Spot
| #USOC2024 @Independence // @opencup pic.twitter.com/NIBeBURZux
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 16, 2024
Charlotte forward #29 Juan Carlos Obregón stepped up and buried the PK into the center of the goal to level the match.
Entering the 35th minute, Charlotte gained the 2-1 advantage.
Long Run » Cool Finish » Happy Ball Kid
#USOC2024 | @OpenCup | @Independence pic.twitter.com/MmqXgYS0lV
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 16, 2024
Midfielder Alvarez found midfielder #11 Tresor Mbuyu on a break-away. He managed to touch the ball around Jackson Lee for the simple open net finish.
Entering the 45+2 minute, RIFC leveled the match.
A rocket from Messer
#WickedGoodGoal pic.twitter.com/8SS1UT7SYl
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 17, 2024
Midfielder Prince Saydee squared the ball and found forward Mark Doyle. He then looked to his left and passed the ball to midfielder Nathan Messer, who then elected for a roof-top finish.
Following the goal, the match entered halftime with the match level at 2-2.
HALFTIME | All even at the break.
2-2
| #RIFC pic.twitter.com/CxaRSKJfo8
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 17, 2024
Entering the second half, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing Conor McGlynn with Clay Holstad.
The second half began with Forward Juan Carlos Obregón playing the ball backward before Charlotte quickly moved forward up the field.
In the 49th minute, RIFC midfielder Kofi Twumasi was issued a yellow card.
Less than 1 minute later, RIFC gained the 3-2 advantage.
A picture-perfect finish from Holstad to give us the lead!
#WickedGoodGoal pic.twitter.com/IsEMf94V8H
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 17, 2024
After a break up the right flank, Mark Doyle looked centrally for Nathan Messer, who lost the ball and went down in the area. The ball then popped out to find Clay Holstad for a right-footed curler into the top corner of the net.
In the 55th minute, RIFC forward Mark Doyle was issued a yellow card.
Entering the 68th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made three more changes in the match by replacing Kofi Twumasi, Nathan Messer, and Collin Smith with Joe Brito, Jojea Kwizera, and Stephen Turnbull.
Charlotte head coach Mike Jeffries also made his first change of the match by replacing defender #2 Fabrice Ngah with defender #13 Anthony Sorensen.
In the 72nd minute, Charlotte leveled the match.
Pocket picked
Luis Álvarez ties it up for the @Independence with his second of the season!#USOC2024 | @opencup pic.twitter.com/dUoSy0CEF5
— USL League One (@USLLeagueOne) April 17, 2024
After winning the ball off of Clay Holstad, midfielder #14 Luis Álvarez elected for the quick shot to find Jackson Lee out of the net for the easy finish.
Entering the 76th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his fifth change of the match by replacing Kevin Vang with Noah Fuson.
In the 81st minute, Charlotte midfielder #14 Luis Álvarez was issued a yellow card.
Following the yellow card, Charlotte head coach made his second change of the match by replacing midfielder #8 Joel Johnson with forward #9 Kharlton Belmar.
Rhode Island had a clear chance to win the match in the 89th minute when goalkeeper #1 Austin Pack made 3 quick saves to thwart Rhode Island from winning the match.
Entering the 90+1 minute, Charlotte head coach Mike Jeffries made his third change of the match by replacing midfielder #27 Bachir Ndiaye with midfielder #47 Isaac Scheer.
In the 90+7 minute, RIFC defender Karifa Yao was issued a yellow card.
After the 90+11 minutes, the match remained level at 3-3 and would enter extra time.
We're heading to extra time after a thrilling 90 minutes!
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 17, 2024
Rhode Island kicked off to start the first period of extra time.
In the 95th minute, Charlotte took the lead.
Obregon Jr. Again in OT
@Independence @opencup // #USOC2024 pic.twitter.com/7SjMmegS93
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 17, 2024
Midfielder #14 Luis Álvarez found #11 Tresor Mbuyu, who then found #29 Juan Carlos Obregón for the right-footed shot. It was initially saved, but Obregón put home the rebound to make it 4-3 for Charlotte.
Following the goal, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his final change of the match by replacing Karifa Yao with Albert Dikwa.
Just before the end of the first half of extra time, Charlotte head coach Mike Jeffries made his fourth change by replacing forward #29 Juan Obregón with defender #24 Denzel Akyeampong
After 105 minutes, Charlotte FC led with just 15 minutes to go.
Charlotte kicked off to start the second period of extra time and immediately launched it into RIFC’s defensive third.
In the 108th minute, Charlotte goalkeeper #1 Austin Pack was issued a yellow card.
In the 115th minute, Rhode Island leveled the match.
115' | THERE IT IS! A strike from Turnbull brings us level with less than five minutes to go in extra time.
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 17, 2024
Following a back-post-delivery by Mark Doyle, the ball was headed by Frank Nodarse and fell to Stephen Turnbull for the right-footed finish into the bottom right corner.
Less than 1 minute later, RIFC had a clear chance to win it but Albert Dikwa’s effort went just over the bar.
Then, entering the 119th minute, Noah Fuson’s effort was saved by #1 Austin Pack.
In the 120th minute, Charlotte defender #17 Clay Dimick was issued a yellow card.
After 120+4 minutes, the match was level 4-4 and would enter a penalty shootout.
We're going to penalties after 120 minutes of action.
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 17, 2024
Charlotte’s first penalty kick taker was #9 Kharlton Belmar. His right-footed shot went into the bottom right of the net to make it 1-0.
RIFC’s first penalty kick taker was Albert Dikwa. His right-footed effort was saved and missed off the right post. The score remained 1-0 Charlotte.
Charlotte’s second penalty kick taker was #11 Tresor Mbuyu Belmar. His right-footed shot went into the bottom right of the net to make it 2-0.
RIFC’s second penalty kick taker was Noah Fuson. His right-footed shot went into the bottom right of the net to make it 2-1.
Charlotte’s third penalty kick taker was #14 Luis Álvarez. His right-footed shot was skied over the net to keep the scoreline at 2-1.
RIFC’s third penalty kick taker was Jojea Kwizera. His left-footed shot went into the bottom right of the net to make it 2-2.
Charlotte’s fourth penalty kick taker was #4 Nick Spielman. His right-footed shot went into the bottom left of the net to make it 3-2.
RIFC’s fourth penalty kick taker was Mark Doyle. His right-footed shot went into the bottom right of the net to make it 3-3.
Charlotte’s fifth penalty kick taker was #17 Clay Dimick. His right-footed shot was skied over the center of the goal to keep it 3-3.
RIFC’s fifth penalty kick taker was Joe Brito. He could’ve won the match with a goal. However, his right-footed shot was saved in the bottom left corner and kept it level at 3-3.
Charlotte’s sixth penalty kick taker was #7 Rayan Djedje. His right-footed shot went into the top right of the net to make it 4-3 to Charlotte.
RIFC’s sixth penalty kick taker was Clay Holstad. His right-footed shot went into the top right of the net to make it 4-4.
Charlotte’s seventh penalty kick taker was #13 Anthony Sorensen. His left-footed shot went into the middle right of the net to make it 5-4.
RIFC’s seventh penalty kick taker was Gabriel Alves. His left-footed shot was saved in the bottom right of the net to keep it 5-4.
Following the save, Charlotte Independence advanced
FULL TIME | Charlotte Independence advances 5-4 on penalties after 120 minutes. pic.twitter.com/c6rPWGthp9
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 17, 2024
Rhode Island FC’s debut in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ends in the third round.
Rhode Island FC are yet to win a game this season.
Rhode Island FC (0-4-1, 4 pts. in USL Championship) are out to Las Vegas, Nevada to face Las Vegas Lights (3-0-3, 9 pts. in USL Championship) at Cashman Field. The match kicks off Saturday, April 20th at 7:30p.m. on ESPN+