Rhode Island FC Announce End of Year Roster Decisions
With 2026 fast approaching RIFC's initial roster moves have officially been announced.
Rhode Island FC announced its initial end-of-year roster decisions as it began preparations ahead of 2026. A whopping 20 players will be returning to the Ocean State, of whom 12 members are from the team’s inaugural season.
Aimé Mabika, Albert Dikwa, Aldair Sanchez, Clay Holstad, Dani Rovira, Dwayne Atkinson, Frank Nodarse, Grant Stoneman, Hamady Diop, Hugo Bacharach, Jojea Kwizera, Karifa Yao, Mathieu Ndongu, Maxi Rodriguez, Noah Fuson, and Zachary Herivaux will be returning as part of already agreed contracts.
Yao, Rhode Island’s two-time Defender of the Year, returns to the Ocean State for a third season after being one of the most consistent pieces of the team’s defense across his first two seasons. Despite missing a stretch of games due to injury, in 24 appearances, he still led the team in clearances (119), blocks (41), and led all RIFC defenders in duels won (118) and aerial duels won (67).
Other notable names joining Yao for a third year with RIFC include Nodarse who was another vital piece of the team’s backline, Fuson, who helped to add an offensive spark toward the end of the season, and Holstad who anchored the midfield once more.
Koke Vegas, J.J. Williams, Amos Shapiro-Thompson, and Kevin Vang have all had their options exercised, bringing them back to the club for 2026.
Named the team’s Midfielder of the Year for 2025, Shapiro-Thompson went from missing a majority of the team’s inaugural season to earning a starting role as he made 30 appearances for the club in 2025, 21 of those being starts. He scored his first goal with the club in a 2-2 tie against Hartford.
The New England native took full advantage of the opportunity given to him this season, proving himself to be a valuable asset in the midfield.
Rhode Island declined the options of Isaac Angking, Cole Dewhurst, Will Meyer, and Taimu Okiyoshi. Jackson Lee, Marc Ybarra, Rio Hope-Gund, and Joe Brito found themselves out of contract following the conclusion of the season.
Prior to the team’s roster announcements, Brito announced his retirement from professional soccer. In two seasons with Rhode Island FC, he made 66 appearances for the club and scored several memorable goals, including a stoppage dagger to clinch RIFC’s first-ever El Clamico win over Hartford Athletic in front of an electric home crowd. He also went on to score the club’s first-ever regular-season goal at Centreville Bank Stadium, salvaging a point in their 1-1 draw with Monterey Bay FC and making him the first RIFC player to win USL Championship Goal of the Week.
The club is expected to make additional announcements in the coming weeks as they prepare for the 2026 season.