SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (0-2-1, 2 pts.) battled to a 0-0 draw with Charleston Battery (2-3-0, 9 pts.) on Saturday.
The match kicked off at 7:00 p.m. ET at Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island to a crowd of 4,401.
? Your #RIFC starting XI against Charleston Battery!#RIvCHS | #WickedGoodLineup pic.twitter.com/imizWb0cz5
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 6, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-2 formation with goalkeeper Jackson Lee starting in the net with a backline of (left back) Jojea Kwizera, (center backs) Gabriel Alves and Frank Nodarse, along with (right back) Clay Holstad. The defensive midfield consisted of Marc Ybarra (left), Conor McGlynn (right). The midfield roles were manned by Noah Fuson (left), Joe Brito (central) and Stephen Turnbull (right). The lone forward for the match was Albert Dikwa.
RIFC had 5 players out due to injury. Those included Koke Vegas, Grant Stoneman, JJ Williams, Karifa Yao and Amos Shapiro-Thompson.
Your #RIFC starting XI!#WickedGoodSoccer pic.twitter.com/TlmV9m3nmc
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 6, 2024
The match kicked off with Charleston Battery playing the ball backward to their defensive line, who then elected to launch the ball into RIFC’s defensive third.
In the 4th minute, RIFC defender Clay Holstad was issued a yellow card.
Charleston Battery’s first moment of the match came in the 5th minute when midfielder #13 Nick Markanich’s effort was met with a clean scoop by Jackson Lee.
Charleston had yet another opportunity in just the 8th minute after a corner kick was not cleared by RIFC. The ball bounced multiple times in the box and the effort went too high and out for a goal kick.
In the 22nd minute, RIFC forward Albert Dikwa was issued a yellow card.
Can't go wrong with a packed Section 13 Rain Game.
Thank you all for joining us on a "not-so-nice weather" game.
Will see you all again this week vs Pittsburgh#upthetide #RIFC #RhodeIsland pic.twitter.com/ZZ8QT4o2wT
— Defiance 1636 ⚓️ (@RIDefiance1636) April 8, 2024
Just 5 minutes, RIFC midfielder Conor McGlynn was issued a yellow card of his own for a harsh foul.
RIFC then had their first moment of the match when Noah Fuson’s effort went over the crossbar.
Just 4 minutes after McGlynn’s yellow card, another RIFC player entered the book as defender Frank Nodarse was issued a yellow card of his own.
In the 34th minute, Charleston Battery midfielder #8 Emilio Ycaza was issued a yellow card.
Charleston Battery’s best chance of the half came in the 36th minute when #80 Juan Henríquez’s long-range effort was met with a diving save by Jackson Lee.
After the 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 0-0.
HALFTIME | Level at the break.#RIvCHS | 0-0 | #RIFC⚓ pic.twitter.com/IkDIz6Dc34
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 7, 2024
The second half began with RIFC starting from the center circle. Albert Dikwa played the ball backwards to his backline, who then elected to build out of the back.
Charleston Battery had the first chance of the half when midfielder #80 Juan Henríquez’s long-distance effort was met with a clean save by Jackson Lee.
RIFC’s first chance of the half came entering the 56th minute when Stephen Turnbull’s header was met with a diving catch save by goalkeeper #1 Adam Grinwis.
In the 63rd minute, Charleston Battery head coach Ben Pirmann made his first two changes of the match by replacing midfielders #8 Emilio Ycaza and #11 Diego Gutierrez with midfielders #4 Chris Allan and #7 Jake LaCava.
Our @wearerienergy Energy Play of the Match! Joe Brito with a dangerous opportunity off the crossbar. pic.twitter.com/VV9KJSFVLC
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 7, 2024
RIFC had yet another amazing opportunity in the 65th minute when Joe Brito’s effort struck the crossbar. The ensuing rebound was shot and went wide and out for a goal kick.
Entering the 70th minute, RIFC midfielder Conor McGlynn went for a 50-50 ball and the referee concluded that it was too much contact and issued a second yellow card, resulting in a red card. Rhode Island FC would play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Charleston Battery’s next best chance came in the 71st minute when midfielder #13 Nick Markanich’s effort struck the right-post and out for a goal kick.
In the 76th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his change of the match by replacing Noah Fuson and Jojea Kwizera for Kofi Twumasi and Collin Smith.
Charleston Battery head coach Ben Pirmann also made his third and final change of the match by replacing defender #23 Juan Palma with defender #5 Leland Archer.
Jackson Lee's crucial stoppage time save is your @CentrevilleBank Save of the Match!#WickedGoodSave pic.twitter.com/n6TtxdeXzw
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 7, 2024
Charleston Battery had yet another amazing opportunity to gain the lead when #80’s effort was met with yet another save by Jackson Lee.
Entering the 92nd minute, Jackson Lee made an impeccable stop to keep the match level by thwarting the header from forward #9 Matthew Myers. The ensuing rebound landed for midfielder #6 Aaron Molloy, but his effort went over the crossbar.
In the 90+3 minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his final change of the match by replacing Albert Dikwa for Mark Doyle.
Entering the 90+7 minute, RIFC defender Kofi Twumasi was issued a yellow card.
After the 90+8 minutes the match ended in a scoreless draw.
FULL TIME | A hard-fought point! ?#RIvCHS | 0-0 | #RIFC⚓ pic.twitter.com/lbHvM4A6Nt
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 7, 2024
Rhode Island FC (0-2-1, 2pts. in USL Championship) are back to Rhode Island, this time in Smithfield, RI to face Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (0-1-3, 1 pt. in USL Championship) at Bulldog Stadium. The match kicks off Saturday, April 13th at 7:30p.m. on ESPN+
