June 27, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Rhode Island FC continued its streak of historic wins on Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over El Paso Locomotive FC, marking its first-ever victory at Beirne Stadium and first-ever stretch of back-to-back wins. A club-leading fourth goal from Albert Dikwa “Chico” and a pair of impressive solo runs from Jojea Kwizera and Noah Fuson helped the Ocean State club match a club record three-goal victory for the second straight match, and first at home.
RIFC (3W-4L-9D) took advantage of early momentum and an electric home crowd on pRIde Night to score the opening goal of the match in the 21st minute. The play began when Marc Ybarra, who wore the captain’s armband for the second consecutive match, sent in an outswinging corner kick from the right side. As the cross sailed up and over everyone in the box, Kwizera was quick to recover the chance on the opposite flank, getting past his defender before whipping the ball back across the face of goal. The Rwandan international’s cross found Chico wide-open at the back post, and the Ocean State club’s leading scorer tapped the ball in for the go-ahead goal to give RIFC the 1-0 advantage.
Capitalizing on the early lead, RIFC continued to act on its momentum and was rewarded once again six minutes later. A major offensive contributor throughout the match, Kwizera capped off an incredible solo effort with his second RIFC goal in as many matches. The Week 15 USL Championship Team of the Week selection utilized a quick give-and-go sequence with JJ Williams to start his move towards goal, finding space down the left wing through pressure. Working into the penalty box, Kwizera quickly split a pair of defenders, powered his way through the El Paso penalty area and used quick footwork to poke a left-footed effort through three defenders and into the back of the net to double the RIFC lead.
Taking a 2-0 advantage into the halftime locker room for the third consecutive match, Khano Smith’s men were once again able to see out the contest, eventually putting it out of reach for El Paso (3W-11L-3D) with a third goal early in second half stoppage time. The goal came from another impressive display of speed down the wing, this time featuring a solo run from Fuson. Making the most of a clever midfield pass from Isaac Angking, Fuson quickly took off with the ball down the left flank. As he neared the goal line and began running…