Saturday marks a historic event as Rhode Island FC will play their inaugural match in front of a sold-out crowd of over 5,000 fans at Bryant University’s Beirne Stadium.

The game, which pits RIFC against New Mexico United, is a product of a lot of hard work from many people, including co-founders Brett Johnson and Michael Parkhurst. It will be a dream come true to hear the opening whistle at 4 pm.

The moment will be especially meaningful to Kevin Vang, who grew up in Cranston, RI. 

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Vang has always had a deep love for soccer. He was a member of the esteemed Bayside program before joining the New England Revolution Academy in 2014.

Here, he got an up-close look at what it takes to be a professional player. One individual he particularly took note of was Revs Homegrown midfielder Scott Caldwell, who recently retired from professional soccer after an 11-year career.

“[Caldwell] was a guy that I looked up to,” Vang told The Blazing Musket. “I'm a small type of player, like my height, and I looked up to him because he's one of the smaller guys on the team. The way he was able to play at the highest level was amazing.”

Using the first-team players as role models, Vang worked hard to be the best that he could. One of his goals was to be named the Revs’ Academy Player of the Year. 

The inaugural award went to Zachary Herivaux in 2014 before Justin Rennicks won it in back-to-back years. Both players eventually played first-team minutes.

In 2017, the award was given to Joe Brito, who is now a RIFC teammate of Vang. Vang earned the distinction in 2018.

“I told one of my former teammates, Timothy Ennin, I told him that I wanted to win that Academy Player of the Year and he was also saying, ‘Yeah, I want to win that, too,’” Vang said. “Then it was just competing, making each other better every day. Without my teammates, I wouldn't have that Academy Player of the Year award.” 

“But it was a great moment for Rhode Island, too. Representing Rhode Island and Bayside, because there are players that are at Bayside that are looking up to me and they want to achieve more. It was a blessing to be the Player of the Year for the New England Revolution.”

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Vang went on to play five years at Providence College. After collecting four goals and nine assists in 4,877 minutes with the Friars, the midfielder faced an uncertain future when he completed his final season of collegiate eligibility in Fall 2022.

Of course, he wanted to play professional soccer, but there weren’t many opportunities available to him, especially since he didn’t have an agent. He spent two weeks with Revolution II but didn’t earn a contract. 

Suddenly, Vang found himself without daily soccer for the first time in his life.

“Basically, 2023 was hitting me like real life–Not having soccer,” Vang said. “Not just playing soccer every day or having college routines.”

Vang wasn’t sure what he was going to do next. He could continue to pursue a professional soccer career, but he might not find a team or make much money. He had graduated from Providence College with a finance degree and started to explore careers in that field.

“I want to make my degree useful in a way because being the first family member to graduate with a college degree means a lot to my family,” Vang said. “They don't want me to do anything they're doing now, like be a worker, those types of things. They just want me to find a job, start my life with bills, have cars, and obviously have a career and do what anyone would be doing.”

But with Rhode Island FC set to join the USL Championship in 2024, Vang continued to train on his own while jumping into any game he could. He was ultimately called to participate in an invitational combine, later earning an invite to go to preseason.

Nothing was guaranteed, and it almost looked like Vang wouldn’t advance any further than preseason. This probably would’ve put an end to any possibility of him becoming a professional soccer player.

“At that time, I thought it was my last shot,” Vang said. “There's a small percentage of college players who make it pro. It came to a point where it's like, all right, do I get a job and make money or go to soccer trials and see if it works? So at that point, it was tough.”

In mid-February, Vang was summoned to speak to head coach Khano Smith. He was told earlier that he needed a physical to assess his ankle. This was a misdirection. The medical was done because Vang earned a contract.

“Surprisingly they called me and had that meeting, so it was meant to be,” Vang said. “But yeah, that was probably my last shot. You have to be mentally strong to be a professional athlete and the process of it, and it's a lot to take in.” 

“But I have people surrounding me always believing in me to keep going no matter what. Just keep going. You could play at that next level, the highest level. You've been through it all. You have all these experiences you've been through, so you just got to put in the work and seek those opportunities.”

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Vang owes a lot to his parents, who came to the United States from Laos to escape war. They worked hard to learn a new language and adjust to a new country while raising ten children.

Vang remembers his father driving him to Foxboro after work–not even having time to change from his work clothes–so he could participate in training sessions for the Revs Academy. His mom was the caretaker, making sure that everyone was well-fed and healthy.

Their guidance and sacrifices mean the world to Vang.

“The most important thing was they never gave up,” Vang said. “They just worked really hard. And for me, they made my life simple, honestly, and easy compared to their life. They sacrificed a lot.”

“Just the life experience they had and the stories they tell me, that makes me understand where they're coming from and the hardships,” Vang said. “Just being a genuine human being is the most important thing. And being open.”

Vang has the opportunity to play in RIFC’s first-ever game on Saturday. Playing in a professional soccer game was something he hoped for while playing at Bayside, driving to Foxboro with his father, and captaining Providence College’s soccer team.

And now it could happen. 

As you can imagine, he will have some friends and family there to support him.

“It’s going to mean a lot, honestly, because I'm representing my home state and a lot of people know me, so they want to see how I'm doing,” Vang said. “It's going to be a big one, honestly, being a local and being a role model to these players and having people look up to me representing Rhode Island. But most importantly, the fans, my dad will come out, all my family members, they'll be happy to come and support the team and myself.”

Vang has already gotten a small taste of what it’s going to be like playing in front of the locals. Last Friday, RIFC defeated Providence College 2-0 at Beirnie Stadium with season ticket members in attendance.

Noah Fuson got the first goal and Vang, who was recognized before kickoff, scored the second.

“It was an amazing moment, obviously, playing against my former college team,” Vang said. “It couldn’t have been any better, honestly, being honored, too, and being able to score against my former team.

“But it was exciting. Everyone is excited. I can't wait to be there on Saturday.”

Vang has had some interactions with the RIFC supporters and he’s looking forward to more.

One fan who asked for his autograph also gifted the midfielder with a pair of grip socks and shin guards. Vang was shocked by the kindness.

Suiting up for Saturday’s game is a culmination of a lot of hard work from Vang, but he knows that he can’t be complacent. After all, there’s no guarantee that he will see the field. 

“I just have to be humble,” Vang said. “Just take one step at a time and just keep progressing, right? And just keep growing and learning and then the time will come.”

In all honesty, it’s not a bad mantra for Rhode Island FC as they enter year one in the USL Championship.