Minton: Centreville Stadium a Soccer Fan's Dream

Every soccer fan should have a stadium that truly belongs to them and feels like home. For RIFC fans, Centreville Stadium is just that.

Photo By J. Alexander Dolan

Saturday was a long time coming for Rhode Island FC and its fans.

This was not your standard home opener, this was the opening of Centreville Stadium, RIFC’s true home. After a season spent at Bryant University, getting to play in a stadium felt like moving out of your first apartment and into your first home.

Something felt different, something just felt right.

The stadium is right on the water and features some slick screens. Additionally, fans are right on top of the pitch, making the impact of their support (or disdain) even greater.

Fans also get to experience a modern, open-air concourse featuring concessions, sleek bars, as well as a team shop to buy jerseys, scarves, and other merchandise. Additionally, there are food trucks where fans can also taste some local cuisine.

Walking around the stadium, you see multitudes of fans in jerseys. Defiance 1636 marched into the premises, cheering loudly with flags and streamers in hand.

The players entered the pitch to Roman Reigns’ theme music, a reference that not a lot of you will get but if you are a wrestling fan you will. I acknowledge my tribal chief, and also acknowledge that it really sets the scene for a fierce competition.

After a well-shot, hype video, the moment had arrived. RIFC was playing its first match in its true home. After an initial burst of energy, play simmered to a standstill as both sides began figuring out how to break down their opponents.

While the team was banged up with eight players injured, Rhode Island FC fed off the energy of the fans. The supporters were providing noise, whether it be the beat of the drum or chanting for the home side. Fans even got involved with a wave going throughout the stadium.

If there is one drawback, the stadium was not prepared for the number of fans in attendance. Lines for bathrooms and concessions were extremely long, which left fans the choice of waiting for food and drinks or watching the team play. If RIFC expects a capacity crowd for every home game, they will need to do a better job of eliminating wait times or the congestion in the concourse.

The play on the field also left something to be desired. While Rhode Island’s press worked wonders against a San Antonio side looking to build out of the back, RIFC was unable to take advantage of chances in the final third. Clay Holstad launched some bangers and Maxi Rodriguez's header in the second half just brushed by the post but Rhode Island couldn’t find a goal. Rodriguez launched a curler in the 80th minute that also was just wide of the net.

As expected with a 0-0 game, the goalkeepers were the best performers. Koke Vegas and Richard Sanchez exchanged point-blank saves as the match progressed. Either could have been named the man of the match.

Then in the 90th minute, the sky opened up. While some fans left, Defiance 1636 stayed cheering proudly, along with other fans throughout the stadium.

They showed their true colors, they will support this team rain or shine.

But in the end, the event mattered more than the result. Even though RIFC is still searching for its first goal and win inside Centreville Stadium, fans, players, and the rest of the team and stadium staff could take pride that the moment they were preparing and waiting for had been a success.

While soccer can play out like a storybook, not everyone gets the storybook ending. Rhode Island FC will have been wishing that it secured an action-packed win, but Saturday’s match served as a good introduction into a new chapter for the USL Championship club.

Looking over the stadium, you got the sense that this is the way soccer should be (to borrow a phrase from our friends in Maine). Every soccer fan should have a stadium that truly belongs to them and feels like home. For RIFC fans, Centreville Stadium is just that.