Rhode Island FC Continues Run of Lackluster Performances
Rhode Island FC Continues Run of Lackluster Performances
The draw kings become the loss kings
Through thirteen matches, Rhode Island FC is tied for the worst attack in the entire USL Championship. They’ve scored only eleven times in those thirteen matches.
Based on that fact, the results have been mostly predictable; surprising only in that they’ve snuck out more draws than they perhaps have a right to. In a sense, their ability to draw so many matches appears to have been lucky. That luck ran out as they lost 2-0 at home to Detroit City FC on Saturday evening.
Though it was only Rhode Island FC’s second home loss, they’re still searching for their first home victory, and by the time they get their next chance, it will have been more than three full months since their inaugural campaign began.
RIFC head coach Khano Smith made significant changes to the lineup tonight, as midfielder Jack Panayotou was recalled from his loan by the New England Revolution after only four matches with Rhode Island, and the underperforming striker Albert “Chico” Dikwa did not make the bench due to injury. In their stead Conor McGlynn and Prince Saydee earned starts.
The first half started ominously. Detroit City FC — searching for their first win in six matches — spent much of the first twenty minutes in Rhode Island’s half. Though Rhode Island FC recovered to spend the next fifteen in Detroit’s, it continued to be unable to find the final man on any cross or pass into Detroit’s final third.
Finally, in the 36th minute, Koke Vegas saved a close shot that rebounded to his right, and Detroit City FC midfielder Maxi Rodriguez smashed it home. Rhode Island FC was unable to muster any threat in the remainder of the first half.
The second half started in the same fashion as the first did and within the first two minutes, Detroit City FC were threatening to score again. Although the chance was calmly caught by Vegas, the pressure was kept on and the RIFC goalkeeper was again forced to make a great save in the 50th minute.
Vegas was perhaps the brightest spot for RIFC tonight. The veteran keeper continues to make important plays that keep his team in matches that they sometimes seem to have no business holding on to.
Though Rhode Island’s Mark Doyle and Noah Fuson both made threatening attacks shortly after Vegas’ save, only the latter resulted in anything positive.
In the 64th minute, Detroit City FC winger Ben Morris raced down RIFC’s left sideline and crossed the ball to Detroit midfielder Victor Bezerra who slotted it past Vegas’ left side to make the score 2-0.
Rhode Island FC no longer looked to be even competitive in the match beyond that point. Although Vegas made another great save in the 81st minute to keep the score differential from worsening, RIFC’s anemic attack failed to make anything of it.
After thirteen matches, questions must certainly begin to be asked about why this team – which on paper is perhaps one of the best in the USL Championship, with such league stars as Dikwa, Vegas, Fuson, Clay Holstad, and Grant Stoneman – cannot seem to find the back of the net to save their lives, having scored only ten goals (the eleventh being an own goal) in those thirteen matches. Fans are becoming frustrated, and soon something will certainly have to give.
Rhode Island FC fans can catch their club in action on Wednesday, June 12th, as they travel to Memphis, Tennessee to play Memphis 901 FC at 8:00 pm ET.