Rhode Island Fall to New Mexico in Season Finale
All eyes are on the playoffs as the team awaits their first round opponent.
Rhode Island FC took the pitch at RGCU Field in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Saturday night for their regular-season finale against New Mexico United. Head coach Khano Smith made three changes to the starting eleven following the team’s draw at North Carolina, with Grant Stoneman and Amos Shapiro-Thompson being listed as out while Karifa Yao started the match on the bench.
It was New Mexico United who struck first in the 21st minute after putting together a dangerous counterattack that saw Mukwelle Akale get on the end of a dangerous low cross from Valentin Noël at the top of the box. Akale ran swiftly into open space, and quickly sent his shot past Vegas to take the lead.
In the 37th minute, defender Hamady Diop drew a foul for Rhode Island just outside of New Mexico’s box, setting up the opportunity for a set-piece goal that Rhode Island desperately needed. Stepping up to take the kick, Noah Fuson’s ball initially found the head of Aimé Mabika, before ricocheting off of Hugo Bacharach to bring the Ocean State level. It was both Bacharach’s first goal and Mabika’s first assist for Rhode Island.
It was just five minutes later that New Mexico had the opportunity to regain the lead when Bacharach took down the opposing striker within Rhode Island’s box, awarding them a penalty in the half’s closing minutes. Despite diving to the correct side as the kick was taken, the ball just beat Vegas’s outstretched hand to find the back of the net.
Rhode Island made one substitution to start the second half as J.J. Williams replaced Marc Ybarra, then RIFC made a pair of changes in the 60th minute as Maxi Rodriguez and Zachary Herivaux checked in for Albert Dikwa and Mabika. Smith made his final substitutions of the night in the 77th minute, taking Frank Nodarse and Jojea Kwizera out in favor of Dani Rovira and Mathieu Ndongo.
Despite a late push, Rhode Island was unable to capitalize again as the final whistle blew, snapping a six-game unbeaten streak and marking the team’s first regular-season loss since September 6.
Rhode Island finds out who it will be facing in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the conclusion of the Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Detroit City FC match. With a Detroit City victory, RIFC would finish as the eight-seed and face Louisville City on November 1 at 7 PM. If Tampa Bay wins or the game ends in a draw then Rhode Island will travel to Charleston to take on the Battery on November 2 at 2 PM.