April 15, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
Rhode Island FC joined 16 USL Championship clubs entering the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and drew Charlotte Independence from the Northeast regional pool that also consisted of MLS Next Pro’s New York City FC II and fellow USL Championship club Hartford Athletic. The match will be RIFC’s first appearance in the historic competition, and its first-ever competitive matchup against a non-USL Championship opponent. The Ocean State club heads to North Carolina after two consecutive 0-0 shutouts at Beirne Stadium in USL Championship play against Charleston Battery and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
For Charlotte Independence, the USL League One club advanced to the Third Round after a dramatic penalty-shootout win over semi-professional side South Carolina United Heat of the United Premier Soccer League. After nothing could separate the two sides through 120 scoreless minutes, Charlotte goalkeeper Austin Pack made two saves in the shootout to keep his team’s Open Cup dreams alive. The club most recently battled to its second-straight win in USL League One play with a 1-0 win over Greenville Triumph SC at home. After Peck saved his third penalty of the season in the 28th minute to keep the match scoreless, forward JC Obregón Jr. provided the match-winner, heading home his first goal for the club in the 51st minute.
WHAT
Rhode Island FC travels to USL League One club Charlotte Independence in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
WHO
Charlotte Independence
Rhode Island FC
WHEN
Tuesday, April 16
7 p.m. ET
WHERE
American Legion Memorial Stadium
1218-1238 Armory Drive
Charlotte, NC, 28204
BROADCAST
usopencup.com, mlssoccer.com, uslsoccer.com
RIFC OFFICIAL WATCH PARTY (open to the public)
Moniker Brewery
432 W Fountain Street
Providence, RI 02903
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