October 5, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
Rhode Island FC’s JJ Williams, Mark Doyle, and Joe Brito on game night
(Rhode Island FC)
SMITHFIELD, RI – For the third-straight match, Rhode Island FC used an explosive second half to come out on top, battling to a 3-1 win over Tampa Bay Rowdies at Beirne Stadium on Saturday. JJ Williams and Zachary Herivaux both notched goals against their former club in the win, while Noah Fuson picked up his fourth and fifth goal contributions in the last three matches to seal all three points for the Ocean State club.
Rhode Island FC (11W-7L-13D) applied a high press early, and it eventually paid off in the 22nd minute when Herivaux intercepted an attempted clearance from Tampa Bay Rowdies goalkeeper Jordan Farr inside the 18-yard-box. With Herivaux sprinting down to close the space on Farr before he could release the ball, the keeper’s clearance went directly into the lower leg of Herivaux, who redirected the ball into the back of the net to give RIFC a 1-0 lead.
Tampa Bay (13W-10L-7D) started to find momentum as the half went on, out-possessing RIFC 58-42 percent through the opening 45 minutes. The visitors found the target for the first time in the 43rd minute when Leo Fernandes tested Koke Vegas with a free kick from distance, but Vegas palmed the effort out of danger as the hosts went into the break up 1-0.
RIFC continued its pressure out of the break, coming within inches of a second goal when Stephen Turnbull found the ball in open space at the top of the box in the 52nd minute. Laying it off to Marc Ybarra, the pair executed a quick give-and-go before Ybarra popped a well-executed chip over the defender and back to Turnbull at the goal line, who lined a low shot that forced a sharp reflex save out of Farr from close range.
The Ocean State club cashed in on its attacking momentum in the 68th minute, doubling its lead when Fuson received a ball from Williams down the left wing and sprinted past his man. Taking the ball into the box and cutting back with his right foot, the winger unleashed an inch-perfect curler that beat an outstretched Farr and kissed the inside of the far post before finding its way into the back of the net.
Three minutes later, Tampa Bay responded to cut its deficit in half. The goal came from Manuel Arteaga, who got on the end of an entry pass from Damian Rivera before cutting back onto his right foot inside the box. Touching the ball past Karifa Yao, Arteaga…