Phoenix Rising FC defeat Rhode Island FC 3-1
SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (1-4-2, 7 pts.) were defeated 3-1 in a USL Championship clash versus Western Conference side Phoenix Rising FC (3-1-3, 10 pts.).
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island to a crowd of 4,000.
Your #RIFC starting XI to face Phoenix Rising FC!#WickedGoodLineup pic.twitter.com/PKxMGKgoOH
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 26, 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), Karifa Yao (center) and Frank Nodarse (right). The midfield consisted of Stephen Turnbull (left) Jojea Kwizera (left center mid), Marc Ybarra (central), Joe Brito (right center mid) and Clay Holstad (right). The forward roles were manned by Noah Fuson (left) and Albert Dikwa (right).
New signing Kevin Orduy is featured on the bench.
Rhode Island had 4 players out due to injury. They included Grant Stoneman (Leg), JJ Williams (Sports Hernia), Conor McGlynn (Leg), and Amos Shapiro-Thompson (Knee).
Rise and shine, it's matchday!
Phoenix Rising FC
Beirne Stadium
7:30pm ET
NESN+, ESPN+
@790thescore
#⃣ #RIvPHX | #RIFCPreview the match
: https://t.co/Tcglqv73eZ pic.twitter.com/XWmOAvaKie
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 26, 2024
The match kicked off with Rhode Island starting from the center circle. Midfielder Joe Brito kicked off the match by playing the ball backward to Marc Ybarra, before the ball was cycled from left to right.
RIFC had the first chance of the match just 30 seconds in after a scissor kick attempt by Noah Fuson went just over the bar.
Phoenix’s first chance came just as the match entered the 5th minute after a poor giveaway by Jojea Kwizera led to a shot opportunity that was caught by Jackson Lee.
Entering the 6th minute, Phoenix gained the 1-0 advantage.
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???????????????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????????Just like @PHXRisingFC drew it up
pic.twitter.com/E9plsVcIKo
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 26, 2024
Following a fast break on the left flank, the ball was crossed onto the area by forward #14 Emil Cuello and slotted home by forward #91 Rémi Kabral for his first goal of the season.
As the match entered the 10th minute, RIFC had a chance off a corner kick when Jojea Kwizera’s delivery was headed just wide of the left post by Frank Nodarse.
Entering the 12th minute, Phoenix Rising defender #5 Mohamed Traore was issued a yellow card for a harsh challenge on Albert Dikwa.
RIFC’s next chance came in the 22nd minute when Marc Ybarra’s and Jojea Kwizera’s corner kick delivery was met with a header that bounced around in the area. Moments later, the ball was cleared and crossed back into the area and was met with a Frank Nodarse header that was caught by goalkeeper #1 Rocco Ríos.
Just one minute later, Phoenix Rising defender #30 Alejandro Fuenmayor was issued a yellow card.
Entering the 33rd minute, Phoenix added to their lead.
Deuces up for Rémi Cabral!
He locks up his brace after some class buildup play from @PHXRisingFC
pic.twitter.com/WNavVnLR8G
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 27, 2024
Following a fast-break on the right-flank, the ball was centered into the area by forward #21 Panos Armenakas to find unmarked forward #91 Rémi Kabral for a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner for his second goal of the match.
Following the goal, RIFC defender Karifa Yao was issued a yellow card due to a harsh challenge during the build-up.
Entering the 40th minute, RIFC were given a penalty kick due to a handball by Phoenix midfielder #26 Renzo Zambrano.
He's HIM
@Rocco_RN_02 comes up big for @PHXRisingFC! pic.twitter.com/HkMdc7M6mz
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 27, 2024
RIFC forward Albert Dikwa stepped up to take the penalty kick and his right-footed effort was saved in the bottom right corner by goalkeeper #1 Rocco Ríos.
In the 43rd minute, RIFC midfielder Clay Holstad was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul on Phoenix forward #91 Rémi Kabral.
After the initial 45+4 minutes, the match entered halftime with Phoenix ahead 2-0.
HALFTIME | Behind at the break.#RIvPHX | 0-2 | #RIFC
pic.twitter.com/oVnaWsAdZx
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 27, 2024
The second half began with Phoenix starting from the center circle. Midfielder #21 Panos Armenakas elected to play the ball backwards to defender #3 John Stenberg, who then launched the ball up the right-flank.
RIFC had the first moment of the second half when Stephen Turnbull’s effort off of a corner kick was blocked and cleared.
RIFC had yet another chance in the 56th minute when Clay Holstad’s long-distance effort was blocked. Play was then stopped due to a head injury.
In the 58th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first two changes of the match by substituting Joe Brito and Albert Dikwa and replaced them with Mark Doyle and Prince Saydee.
RIFC had yet another chance entering the 62nd minute when Stephen Turnbulls’ effort was deflected out for a corner kick. The ensuing corner kick then was deflected for yet another corner kick.
RIFC had yet another chance in the 63rd minute when Prince Saydee’s left-footed effort just missed the top left corner.
Our first change of the day
#RIvPHX | 0-2 pic.twitter.com/KHuyUgbxnm
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) April 27, 2024
In the 64th minute, Phoenix head coach Danny Stone made his first changes of the match by substituting forward #14 Emil Cuello and replacing him with forward #29 Dariusz Formella.
Just 3 minutes later, in the 67th minute, RIFC forward Noah Fuson was issued a yellow card.
Phoenix’s first chance in the second half came in the 70th minute when midfielder #77 Juan Carlos Azocar’s effort went just wide of the left post.
In the 74th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his third and fourth change of the match by substituting Stephen Turnbull and Frank Nodarse and replacing them with Kevin Vang and Collin Smith.
Subs pt. 2#RIvPHX | 0-2 pic.twitter.com/N8Q159cOxY
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) April 27, 2024
Subsequently, Phoenix head coach Danny Stone made his second, third, and fourth changes of the match by substituting defender #30 Alejandro Fuenmayor, forward #21 Panos Armenakas, and midfielder #77 Juan Carlos Azocar and replacing him with midfielders #16 Gabi Torres, #10 Federico Varela, and defender #4 Papa Boye
RIFC next best chance came in the 79th minute when Mark Doyle’s header went just over the bar.
Entering the 80th minute, Phoenix Rising defender #3 John Stenberg was issued a yellow card for time wasting.
Entering the 87th minute, Phoenix Rising goalkeeper #1 Rocco Ríos was issued a yellow card for time wasting. The ball was then placed down in the area for an indirect free kick. Forward #29 Dariusz Formella was also issued a yellow card.
Game on
Clay Holstad goes top bins to bring @RhodeIslandFC within a goal! pic.twitter.com/e07LgwU78b
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 27, 2024
In the subsequent set-piece, RIFC found the back of the net with a top-corner finish by Clay Holstad.
Following the goal, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his fifth and final change of the match by substituting Gabriel Alves replacing him with Nathan Messer.
Less than a minute later, Phoenix added to their lead.
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@fede10varela restores @PHXRisingFC's two-goal advantage! pic.twitter.com/u8E62tthhG
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 27, 2024
Following a fast break up the left flank, midfielder #16 Gabriel Torres crossed the ball to the back post to find open midfielder #10 Federico Varela at the back post for the finish to make it 3-1 Phoenix.
Entering the 90+2nd minute, RIFC had a clear chance when Prince Saydee’s effort went just over the bar.
Just 2 minutes later, RIFC had yet another chance when Kevin Vang’s close-range effort was met with a diving save.
After the 90+7 minutes, the match ended with the scoreline at 3-1.
FULL TIME | Final at Beirne Stadium.#RIvPHX | 1-3 | #RIFC
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 27, 2024
Rhode Island FC (1-4-2, 7 pts. in USL Championship) are on the road to Cary, North Carolina as Rhode Island FC are set to face Eastern Conference side North Carolina FC (1-3-3, 6 pts. in USL Championship) at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match kicks off Friday, May 4th at 7:00p.m. on ESPN+.