#RIFC have no idea how to break down a low block. No line-breaking passes, nobody getting the ball in half-spaces, can't create good chances.

Opponents know they're ineffective in possession and vulnerable in transition, so let them have more of the ball and wait for turnovers.

#RIFC 's home form has been dreadful so far. Winless in four games, struggling to score, and not playing well.

Results are most important, but playing good football that's entertaining and fun to watch is also important for a brand-new team trying to attract more fans/interest.

Well-executed gameplan by Phoenix to take full advantage of RIFC's many weaknesses.

Obvious that #RIFC are bad with the ball, have poor transition defense, and lack creativity—so they struggled against PHX initially pressing, and then defending deeper and hitting on the counter.

FT | Rhode Island FC 1-3 Phoenix Rising

❌ #RIFC predictably lose to the defending champions, and remain winless at home. Phoenix aren't as good as they've been in past years, but they're still a much better team than RIFC.

#RIvPHX

#RIFC pull one back late in the game (off a rare indirect free kick inside the box), and then immediately concede another goal to extinguish any little hope of a comeback.

HT | Rhode Island FC 0-2 Phoenix Rising

Phoenix pressed high and forced turnovers to start the game, took an early lead, then let RIFC have more of the ball and hit in transition for their second goal. #RIFC totally ineffective in possession, unable to create chances.

#RIvPHX

#RIFC had a chance to get back in the game, but Dikwa's penalty is saved. He's a good goal-scorer, but not a good penalty-taker (also missed in the shootout in the Open Cup).

#RIFC continue to struggle to defend in transition, and Phoenix double their lead. The 2023 champions are executing very well tonight.

Poor start by #RIFC . They gave the ball away in their own half multiple times in the first 5+ minutes, and now Phoenix have punished them to take an early lead.

⚓️ Rhode Island FC starting XI vs Phoenix Rising:

📋 [3-5-2]: Lee; Alves, Nodarse, Yao; Kwizera, Holstad, Ybarra, Turnbull; Brito; Fuson, Dikwa (C)

↪️ Bench: Koke, Saydee, Doyle, Twumasi, Smith, Messer, Vang, Orduy

❌ Out: Williams, Stoneman, McGlynn, Thompson

#RIvPHX #RIFC

7️⃣ MATCHDAY 7:

⚓️ Rhode Island FC vs Phoenix Rising

⏰ 7:30 PM ET
🏟️ Beirne Stadium at Bryant University
📍 Smithfield, RI
📺 NESN+
💻 ESPN+
📻 790 The Score

⚽️ 2024 USL Championship Season

#RIvPHX #RIFC #USL

✍️🆕 𝑵𝑬𝑾 𝑺𝑰𝑮𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 🟡🔵

⚓️ Rhode Island FC sign Kevin Orduy to a USL Academy contract for 2024 season.

🇨🇴🇺🇸 The 18 year old Colombian-American attacking midfielder joins #RIFC after one brief appearance for RGV Toros last year. Played for Unión Magdalena U17s & U20s.

First-half goals from Stephen Turnbull and Noah Fuson propelled Rhode Island FC to its first-ever win! ⚓️

📊 bit.ly/3QbsZAJ

⚓️ That first win feeling.

#WickedGoodSoccer

➕3️⃣ for the first time!

⚓️ #RIFC #RhodeIslandFC

⚽️🅰️ Noah Fuson is the first Rhode Island FC player to score a goal and provide an assist in the same game.

#LVvRI #RIFC

⬇️ Full highlights of Rhode Island FC's 2-1 win at Las Vegas Lights. The first official win in club history.

#LVvRI #RIFC ⚓️

youtu.be/RjIM-JiJBLw?si…

#LVvRI | (1-2) | Match Stats

•Shots: 12-10
•Shots on target: 4-2
•Big chances: 1-1
•Touches in opp. box: 22-24

•Possession: 60%-40%
•Passes: 506-343
•Pass accuracy: 81%-70%
•Crosses: 21-19
•Corners: 7-6

•Duels won: 41-42
•Fouls: 11-8

#RIFC

Good response by #RIFC to win on the road today, after the disappointment of getting knocked out of the Open Cup midweek.

Now that they've overcome the mental hurdle of getting the first win, hopefully they can build some momentum, starting with the home match next week.

#RIFC finally held onto a lead! Good first half to go up 2-0, then they really faded in the second half (again), but this time managed to grind out the win.

Not the best performance overall, but the team worked hard to get an important result on the road. Something to build on.