SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (0-4-1, 4 pts.) battled to a 0-0 draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds (0-2-3-, 2 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 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC!#WickedGoodLineup | #RIvPIT pic.twitter.com/uvPRYBXfOR
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 13, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 3-5-2 formation with goalkeeper Jackson Lee starting in the net with a backline of Clay Holstad (left), Frank Nodarse (center) and Gabriel Alves (right). The midfield consisted of Stephen Turnbull (left) Noah Fuson (left center mid), Marc Ybarra (central), Joe Brito (right center mid) and Jojea Kwizera (right). The forward roles were manned by Mark Doyle (left) and Albert Dikwa (right).
RIFC had 4 players out due to injury. Those included Koke Vegas, Grant Stoneman, JJ Williams and Amos Shapiro-Thompson.
Your #RIFC starting XI. ⚓? #WickedGoodSoccer pic.twitter.com/7rh5CGmsbc
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 13, 2024
The match kicked off with RIFC starting in the center circle. They elected to build out of the back to start the match.
The first 20 minutes of the match were back-and-forth with no major chances for either side.
Pittsburgh had the first moment of the match in the 21st minute when #7 Langston Blackstock’s left-footed shot was easily scooped up by Jackson Lee.
Less than 3 minutes later, Marc Ybarra had a long-distance effort that was met with a catch-save by goalkeeper #1 Eric Dick.
RIFC had the best chance of the half when Mark Doyle’s close-range effort was met with a clean save by #1 Eric Dick.
After the 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 0-0.
HALFTIME | All tied up at the break.#RIvPIT | 0-0 | #RIFC⚓ pic.twitter.com/45YTp64SAx
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 14, 2024
Entering the second half, Pittsburgh head coach Bob Lilley made his first change of the match by substituting forward #45 Kazaiah Sterling and replacing him with forward #9 EJ Johnson.
The second half began with Pittsburgh starting from the center circle. They elected to build out of the back to start the half.
In the 50th minute, RIFC midfielder #12 Clay Holstad was issued a yellow card.
After 12 minutes of back-and-forth play, in the 62nd minute, Pittsburgh defender #28 Illal Osumanu was issued a yellow card.
Entering the 65th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first three changes of the match by replacing defenders Stephen Turnbull and Jojea Kwizera and forward Mark Doyle with defenders Collin Smith and Karifa Yao along with forward Prince Saydee.
In the 68th minute, Pittsburgh defender #7 Langston Blackstock was issued a yellow card.
A huge round of applause for our No. 10 Albert Dikwa for reaching 10,000 minutes in the @USLChampionship! ?#WickedGoodPlayer | #RIFC⚓ pic.twitter.com/lu8Hwe6uf3
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 14, 2024
Entering the 75th minute, Pittsburgh head coach Bob Lilley made his three changes by substituting midfielder #14 Robbie Mertz, midfielder #11 Kenardo Forbes and defender #7 Langston Blackstock and replacing them with forward #27 Babacar Diene, defender #4 Dani Rovira and midfielder #15 Bradley Sample.
Pittsburgh had the chance of the match entering the 77th minute when goalkeeper #22 Jackson Lee made two stellar saves from close-range on #19 Edward Kizza and #9 EJ Johnson.
Just three minutes later, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his fourth change of the match by replacing midfielder Joe Brito with forward Nathan Messer.
Hard fought draw at home last night.@opencup ? #WickedGoodSoccer | #RIFC ⚓ pic.twitter.com/wH5BbdOeLL
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 14, 2024
In the 88th minute, Pittsburgh defender #13 Luke Biasi was issued a yellow card.
In the 90+2 minute, Pittsburgh forward #27 Babacar Diene was issued a yellow card.
Just two minutes later, the 90+4 minute, Pittsburgh forward #9 EJ Johnson was issued a yellow card.
In the 90+8 minute, RIFC defender Collin Smith was issued a yellow card.
Just before the final whistle, Pittsburgh had an amazing opportunity when #19 Edward Kizza took a right-footed shot that was blocked out for a corner kick.
After the 90+9 minutes, the match ended level at 0-0.
FULL TIME | Point secured ?#RIvPIT | 0-0 | #RIFC⚓ pic.twitter.com/D5umaZ54I2
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) April 14, 2024
Rhode Island FC (0-4-1, 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+
