April 19, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
Both Rhode Island FC and Las Vegas Lights FC are coming off midweek Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches that went into extra time. For RIFC, fans were treated to the highest-scoring match of the competition and in club history. In an eight-goal instant classic, the club fought to a dramatic, back-and-forth 4-4 draw that ultimately ended in a penalty-shootout loss vs. USL League One side Charlotte Independence . Despite matching its goal total through the first five USL Championship matches, holding two leads and scoring a dramatic equalizer deep into extra time to force penalties, RIFC was unable to go the distance. Fueled by two consecutive Man of the Match performances from goalkeeper Jackson Lee , the Ocean State club is coming off of a pair of 0-0 home shutouts against Charleston Battery and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC . RIFC will look to hold on to the goal-scoring formula it found in Charlotte as the club continues to hunt for its first-ever win.
Las Vegas’ midweek matchup with USL League One’s Spokane Velocity was one of seven Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round matches decided in extra time. Similarly to Rhode Island FC’s contest, it had no shortage of drama. Ultimately, a 2-1 win would do the job for Las Vegas, but a late Spokane stunner to force extra time made the win far less comfortable than Head Coach Dennis Sanchez would have liked. In USL Championship play, Las Vegas saw a complete resurgence as it entered the month of April after losing its first two matches of the season. Las Vegas won three-straight matches and outscored opponents 4-0 with wins over El Paso Locomotive FC, Oakland Roots SC and San Antonio FC. The latter of the three victories, a 1-0 win over San Antonio FC, saw three Las Vegas players named to the USL Championship Team of the Week. Just when it seemed impossible to crack Las Vegas’ resilient defense, Monterey Bay put three past the Western Conference side in a 3-1 loss that saw the club’s impressive win streak come to an end. Sanchez’s team will look to take advantage of its second-straight home match to get back to its winning ways in league play.
WHAT
Rhode Island FC travels to Cashman Field to take on Las Vegas Lights FC in Week 7 of the USL Championship season.
WHO
Las Vegas Lights FC
Rhode Island FC
WHEN
Saturday, April 20
8 p.m. ET
WHERE
Cashman Field
850 Las Vegas Blvd N
Las Vegas, NV 89101
BROADCAST
ESPN+
RIFC OFFICIAL WATCH PARTY (open to the…