July 17, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
Rhode Island FC celebrates win
(Rhode Island FC)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Rhode Island FC once again displayed attacking firepower on the road on Wednesday, battling to its second-straight win in a 3-1 victory over Birmingham Legion FC at Protective Stadium. A first-minute strike from Noah Fuson gave the Ocean State club an early advantage and a second-half brace from substitute Zachary Herivaux ensured the win as the visitors stretched their club-best unbeaten run to six matches.
Rhode Island FC (5W-4L-10D) got started early, netting the quickest goal in club history just 53 seconds into the match when Fuson took advantage of open space at the top of the 18-yard box. After Albert Dikwa “Chico” took down Stephen Turnbull’s throw-in in the attacking third, he quickly laid the ball to Fuson, who unleashed a powerful one-touch, left-footed shot that found the bottom left corner.
Birmingham Legion FC (8W-8L-3D) began to find its own stride in the attack as the half went on, but the best chance following the early goal once again came from Fuson, who had a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 19th minute. Sprinting into a one-on-one position from inside his own half with only Legion goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg to beat, Fuson’s shot at the top of the 18-yard-box was deflected at the last second by a sliding Birmingham defender before going out for a corner.
In the 40th minute, Koke Vegas was called into action for the first time, denying a long-range effort from Dawson McCartney with a strong, two-handed diving save. The effort would end up being Vegas’ only action of the half as the Ocean State club went into break up 1-0.
Despite hitting the target only three times in the opening 45 minutes, the hosts came out strong in the second half, finding an equalizer less than five minutes in. Receiving the ball from McCartney at the right corner of the 18-yard box, Prosper Kasim curled an inch-perfect shot past Vegas and into the top left corner to level the score.
Minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second half, Zachary Herivaux marked his 100th USL Championship appearance with his first career RIFC goal to put the Ocean State club back in front. It happened after JJ Williams intercepted an outgoing pass in RIFC’s attacking third in the 68th minute, working his way into the middle of the penalty area before sending a crafty backheel pass towards Herivaux. Taking the ball…