April 25, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
Rhode Island FC made history with a 2-1 win at Las Vegas Lights FC on April 20 , taking home three points for the first time ever. On Tuesday, RIFC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith was named USL Championship Coach of the Week following the historic victory. Rallying behind two first-half goals from Stephen Turnbull and Noah Fuson, the club showcased late defensive resilience to protect its lead and come away with a narrow win on the road. Turnbull’s goal was his second in five days, and enough to earn him a selection to the USL Championship Team of the Week , while Fuson’s match-winner was also the first of his USL Championship career. The 2-0 halftime advantage was the club’s first-ever multi-goal lead, and it came as a result of an efficient press that helped force several key Las Vegas turnovers in the attacking third. Against the defending league champions on Friday, maintaining a similar pressure will be crucial to a positive start in front of the home fans.
On the other side of the pitch, the defending league champions most recently took on 2023 Players’ Shield winners Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The battle between the two conference heavyweights ended in a 3-1 win for the visitors, handing Phoenix its third loss of the season and marking the second time in three matches the club has given up three goals. In the attack, Pittsburgh got things started with the opening goal in the 25th minute, but Remi Cabral fired back for Phoenix with his team-leading third score of the season less than two minutes later to send the teams into the locker room tied at 1-1. Despite tallying nearly double Pittsburgh’s shooting total, entering the final third 64 times and owning the possession battle at 61.6 percent, Phoenix’s first-half strike was all the homeside had to show for it. Two second-half goals would be all the visitors needed to secure all three points. Phoenix is winless on the road this year (0W-2L-1D), and will look to change that narrative on Friday at Beirne Stadium in order to avoid consecutive defeats for the first time this season.
WHAT
Rhode Island FC returns to Beirne Stadium to take on Phoenix Rising FC in Week 8 of the USL Championship season.
WHO
Rhode Island FC
Phoenix Rising FC
WHEN
Friday, April 26
7:30 p.m. ET
WHERE
Beirne Stadium
1150 Douglas Pike
Smithfield, RI, 02917
BROADCAST | RADIO
NESN+, ESPN+
790 The Score (790 AM)
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