SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (1-4-2, 7 pts.) and North Carolina FC (1-4-3, 7 pts.) battled to a scoreless draw on Saturday.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Wake Med Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina to a crowd of 2,000.
📋 Your #RIFC starting XI against North Carolina FC!#WickedGoodLineup⚓ pic.twitter.com/NOWYnpB9RH
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 4, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 3-5-2 formation with goalkeeper Jackson Lee starting in the net with a backline of Gabriel Alves (left), Karifa Yao (center) and Frank Nodarse (right). The midfield consisted of Jojea Kwizera (left) Marc Ybarra (left center mid), Noah Fuson (central), Clay Holstad (right center mid) and Stephen Turnbull (right). The forward roles were manned by Prince Saydee (left) and Mark Doyle (right).
New signing Kevin Orduy is featured on the bench.
Rhode Island had 5 players out due to injury. They included Grant Stoneman (Leg), JJ Williams (Sports Hernia), Conor McGlynn (Leg), Amos Shapiro-Thompson (Knee), and Albert Dikwa (Quad).
Tonight's Health Report brought to you by @Ortho_RI. pic.twitter.com/wpHtCR3pMM
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 4, 2024
The match began with North Carolina FC starting from the center circle. They elected to launch the ball into the RIFC defensive third to begin the match.
North Carolina FC had the first chance of the match in the 15th minute when forward #8 Louis Perez’ half-volley attempt was headed away for a corner kick.
North Carolina had yet another chance when a delivery into the area by midfielder #3 Nelson Blanco was cleared for a corner kick.
Rhode Island’s first major chance came in the 25th minute when Mark Doyle’s effort went wide of the right-post.
Six minutes later, North Carolina had yet another chance when defender #4 Justin Malou mis-controlled the ball off of a freekick, and the ball went out for a goal kick.
In the 32nd minute, Rhode Island FC midfielder Clay Holstad was issued a yellow card.
Entering the 40th minute, Rhode Island FC defender Frank Nodarse was issued a yellow card.
North Carolina then had another chance when #14 Rafa Mentzingen’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.
RIFC’s last chance of the half came from a freekick by Jojea Kwizera, though his effort was caught by goalkeeper #13 Juan Carrera Zarzar.
After the 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 0-0.
HALFTIME | Level at the break.#NCvRI | 0-0 | #RIFC⚓ pic.twitter.com/ajxABdFpR5
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 4, 2024
The second half began with RIFC starting from the center circle and launching the ball into North Carolina’s defensive third.
In the 50th minute, North Carolina forward #8 Louis Perez was issued a yellow card for fouling Stephen Turnbull.
RIFC’s first chance of the half came from a left-footed shot by Stephen Turnbull that was caught by goalkeeper #13 Juan Antonio Zarzar.
Entering the 62nd minute, North Carolina head coach John Bradford made his first change of the match by replacing forward #49 Julian Placias with midfielder #16 Rodrigo da Costa.
Just 7 minutes later, North Carolina head coach John Bradford made his second and third change of the match by replacing midfielder #15 Mikey Maldonado and forward #9 Oalex Anderson with midfielder #44 Raheem Somersall and forward #11 Evan Conway.
North Carolina’s first major chance of the half came as the match entered the 71st minute when defender #27 Bryce Johnson collided with goalkeeper Koke Vegas and the ball was cleared.
Rhode Island FC made their first two changes in the 74th minute when head coach Khano Smith replaced Jojea Kwizera and Prince Saydee with Joe Brito and Collin Smith.
Just 6 minutes later, Khano Smith made another change by replacing Mark Doyle with Isaac Angking. This is Isaac Angking’s Rhode Island FC debut.
Following the substitution, a corner kick was taken by North Carolina. It led to a shot by defender #2 Paco Craig went just wide of the net.
In the 83rd minute, North Carolina head coach John Bradford made his fourth and final change of the match by replacing forward #8 Louis Perez with forward #10 Jaden Servania.
Entering the 88th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his fourth and final change by replacing Marc Ybarra with Kofi Twumasi.
In 90+3rd minute, Rhode Island FC midfielder Kofi Twumasi was issued a yellow card.
After the 90+5 minutes, the match ended with the scoreline at 3-1.
FULL TIME | Point secured on the road. 🔒#NCvRI | 0-0 | #RIFC⚓ pic.twitter.com/6KkKPolzn3
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 5, 2024
With the result, RIFC move to 10th place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference.
Rhode Island FC (1-5-2, 8 pts. in USL Championship) return home to Smithfield, Rhode Island to face Western Conference side Sacramento Republic FC (5-4-0, 19pts.) at Beirne Stadium. The match kicks off Saturday, May 11th at 7:30p.m. on ESPN+.
