July 25, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
After putting up a trio of goals for the fifth-straight match in its third-straight road victory last week against Birmingham Legion FC, Rhode Island FC will look to build on its momentum Saturday when the Ocean State club returns home to Beirne Stadium to face North Carolina FC for the second time this season. The two clubs fought to a scoreless draw on May 4 and are separated by just two points for the eighth and final playoff spot as the second half of the season is underway. Ahead of the pivotal contest that will determine who leaves the weekend in playoff position, here is everything you need to know about the match.
AT A GLANCE
Date | Saturday, July 27
Kickoff | 7:30 PM ET
Location | Beirne Stadium, Smithfield, RI
Broadcast | NESN, ESPN+
Social | @rhodeislandfc (X, Instagram, Facebook)
Match Hashtag | #RIvNC
NORTH CAROLINA FC
Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Jake McGuire, 24-Trevor Mulqueen, 25-Akira Fitzgerald
DEFENDERS (7): 2-Paco Craig, 4-Justin Malou, 5-Daniel Navarro, 7-Lamar Batista, 27-Bryce Washington, 28-Shaft Brewer Jr., 42-Ezra Armstrong
MIDFIELDERS (8): 6-Jacori Hayes, 8-Louis Perez, 10-Jasen Servania, 15-Mikey Maldonado, 16-Rodrigo Da Costa, 17-Collin Martin, 44-Raheem Somersall, 48-Kyrome Lumsden
FORWARDS (3): 9-Oalex Anderson Jr., 11-Evan Conway, 14-Rafa Mentzingen
Late Drama
Although North Carolina FC (5W-6L-8D) are unbeaten in its last three matches, its 1-1 draw vs. Detroit City FC last time out ended on a sour note for the hosts. The 2023 USL League One Champions held a 1-0 lead deep into second-half stoppage time after going down a man via red card in the fifth minute, but could not go the distance as it conceded an equalizer in the 93rd minute that ultimately saw Rhode Island FC jump above North Carolina in the tight Eastern Conference standings. Despite the setback, John Bradford’s side has only lost twice in its last 10 matches with both defeats coming against the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. In that span, NCFC has maintained a 4W-2L-4D record, picking up 16 of its 23 points after winning only one match prior.
Finding a Groove
Ever since the first meeting between RIFC and NCFC, the North Carolina attack has woken up from a stretch of early-season struggles. The Cary, N.C. club continued to find the scoresheet vs. Detroit as two of the squad’s most prolific attackers combined for the club’s lone goal on Saturday, as Evan Conway’s team-leading seventh goal…
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