Rhode Island FC dominance results in 3-0 win over Hartford Athletic
SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (7-11-5, 32 pts.) were victorious 3-0 over Hartford Athletic (6-4-12, 22 pts.) on Saturday.
The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island to a crowd of 5,252.
Saturday Night Lineup
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— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) August 10, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 3-5-2 formation with goalkeeper Koke Vegas starting in the net with a backline of Frank Nodarse (left), Karifa Yao (center) and Grant Stoneman (right). The midfield consisted of Jojea Kwizera (left) Zachary Herivaux (left center mid), Noah Fuson (central), Clay Holstad (right center mid) and Stephen Turnbull (right). The forward roles were manned by Albert Dikwa (left) and Mark Doyle (right).
Rhode Island had 3 players out due to injury. They included Kofi Twumasi, Amos Shapiro-Thompson (Knee), and Isaac Angking.
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Wishing Isaac Angking a speedy recovery
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— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) August 11, 2024
The match began with Rhode Island FC starting from the center circle and swiftly advancing the ball into Hartford Athletics’ defensive third.
Rhode Island had the first chance of the match in the 4th minute when Albert Dikwa’s close-range effort just missed inside the six-yard box. Play was stopped after this play due to an injury to Hartford goalkeeper #40 Renan Ribeiro.
RIFC had the next chance in the 9th minute when Stephen Turnbull’s low-driven delivery was deflected away by defender #15 Joe Farrell.
Hartford’s first chance came from a free kick in the 12th minute that was played into the box by midfielder #31 Deshane Beckford, however, the ball went beckoning out for a throw-in.
RIFC’s next chance came entering the 14th minute when midfielder Zachary Herivaux’s effort was blocked by defender #15 Joe Farrell. The ball then fell kindly once more but was passed out of bounds by Herivuax.
In the 21st minute, RIFC midfielder Clay Holstad was issued a yellow card fora foul on midfielder #11 Michee Ngalina.
Hartford’s next chance came in the 23rd minute when forward #33 Mamadou Dieng drove down the line and won a corner kick for Hartford. The ensuing corner kick came to nothing and led to a goal kick for RIFC.
RIFC had a chance of their own just one minute later when Mark Doyle’s close-range effort was comfortably saved by goalkeeper #40 Renan Ribeiro.
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— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) August 10, 2024
Rhode Island had two chances in the 26th minute coming from Clay Holstad & Grant Stoneman, however, the initial was blocked and the latter was sent high and wide over the net.
Entering the 29th minute, RIFC gained the 1-0 lead.
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@Grant_the_Stone's first goal for @RhodeIslandFC is an IMPORTANT one! pic.twitter.com/6nZBFPZwEA
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) August 11, 2024
Following a free-kick delivery by Jojea Kwizera, the ball was headed home by defender Grant Stoneman to make it 1-0.
Hartford’s next opportunity came in the 32nd minute when midfielder #31 Deshane Beckford’s shot attempt hooked just wide of the left post.
Entering the 36th minute, Hartford had their best moment of the match when midfielder #31 Deshane Beckford’s header from less than six yards out went just over the net. Without any shadow of a doubt, it should have been an easy goal.
Hartford had yet another opportunity in the 38th minute from a corner kick by midfielder #10 Danny Barrera that was headed away by RIFC defender Karifa Yao.
In the 45+1 minute, Hartford Athletic defender #15 Joe Farrell’s headed effort went just wide of the left post.
RIFC had yet another amazing opportunity to close out the half when Clay Holstad’s half-volley effort was deflected away from goal.
After the initial 45+4 minutes, the match entered halftime with RIFC ahead 1-0.
Up one through 45
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— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) August 11, 2024
The second half began with Hartford Athletic starting from the center circle and quickly advancing the ball into RIFC’s defensive third.
RIFC had the first chance of the half when Mark Doyle’s header went just wide of the left post.
Entering the 48th minute, RIFC added to their lead.
Doubling the lead with Nodarse
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— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) August 11, 2024
Following a free kick from Noah Fuson, the ball was headed home by Frank Nodarse to make it 2-0 to Rhode Island FC.
In the 52nd minute, RIFC midfielder Noah Fuson was issued a yellow card for grabbing the shirt of defender #5 Tristan Hodge.
Rhode Island had yet another chance in the 55th minute when Albert Dikwa’s effort was deflected wide for a corner kick. The ensuing corner kick was met with a spectacular volley attempt by Stephen Turnbull that struck the crossbar.
In the 58th minute, Hartford head coach Brendan Burke made his first change by replacing midfielder #10 Danny Barrera with midfielder #7 Marcus Epps.
Just two minute later, in the 60th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing forward Mark Doyle with forward JJ Williams.
Moments later, RIFC had a major opportunity when midfielder Zachary Herivaux’s effort went just wide of the net.
A #FortressHartford supporter was escorted out of the premises by Police for lighting off a firework during the match.#RIFC
— Caleb Pongratz (@CalebPongratz10) August 11, 2024
In the 62nd minute, Hartford head coach Brendan Burke made his second and third changes of the match by replacing midfielders #5 Tristan Hodge and #12 Anderson Asiedu for midfielder #29 Emmanuel Samadia and forward #17 Kyle Edwards.
Just 3 minutes later, in the 65th minute, Hartford Athletic defender #15 Joe Farrell was issued a yellow card.
In the 69th minute, Hartford Athletic midfielder #29 Emmanuel Samadia was issued a yellow card.
Following the foul, a free kick was given and RIFC had a massive chance in the 69th minute when the ball fell kindly for Zachary Herivuax and his effort was met with a diving stop by goalkeeper #40 Renan Ribeiro.
In the 70th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his second change of the match by replacing midfielder Stephen Turnbull was replaced by midfielder Marc Ybarra.
Hartford’s next best chance came in the 72nd minute when the long distant strike by #31 Deshane Beckford was caught comfortably by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.
In the 76th minute, RIFC defender Karifa Yao was issued a yellow card.
Less than one minute later, Hartford Athletic defender #2 Younes Boudadi
Current mood: Koke Vegas
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— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) August 11, 2024
In the 81st minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his third, fourth, and fifth change of the match by replacing with Zachary Herivaux, Noah Fuson and Stephen Turnbull with Collin Smith, Morris Duggan and Joe Brito.
Just 5 minutes later, Hartford head coach Brendan Burke made his fourth and final change of the match by replacing defender #15 Joe Farrell with defender #23 Thomas Vancaeyezeele.
Entering the 90th minute, RIFC added to their lead.
That'll do it
@josephbrito08 seals the points for @RhodeIslandFC! pic.twitter.com/Vpi7v3ijfN
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) August 11, 2024
Forward Albert Dikwa managed to find midfielder Joe Brito inside the six-yard box for the easy finish to make it 3-0 to RIFC.
After the 90+4 minutes, the match concluded with Rhode Island holding on to the dominant 3-0 victory over Hartford Athletic.
happy nationaL connecticut day to all who observe
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— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) August 11, 2024
With the result, RIFC moves to 7th place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference
Rhode Island FC (7-11-5, 32 pts.) remain home to face Western Conference side Oakland Roots FC (10-2-10, 32 pts.) at Beirne Stadium. The match kicks off on Saturday, August 17th at 7:30p.m. on ESPN+.