Rhode Island FC Dominates Portland Hearts of Pine in Jägermeister Cup

We still love you, Portland

Photo Courtesy of Rhode Island FC

Rhode Island FC’s play over recent months has been inconsistent. It makes for a very frustrating watch, and one which differs significantly from their play last season where they were either consistently mediocre or consistently great. But Rhode Island’s USL Jagermeister Cup has been consistent, and it’s been great.

With the win on Friday, RIFC has made it three straight wins in the competition. They dominate their group, with not just the lead on points, but also with nine goals scored and only two goals against, which no other team in the group has comes even close to. The disparity between the two is itself emblematic of Rhode Island FC’s inconsistency, and even in matches where they largely dominated, there are long passages of play where they look almost lost.

Even RIFC’s first half was, itself, a tale of two halves. Rhode Island dominated early, culminating in Albert “Chico” Dikwa’s great 18th minute chip (with an assist from midfielder Maxi Rodriguez) to take the lead and shortly after there was an incredible combined defensive effort in the 28th minute between goalkeeper Jackson Lee and defenders Grant Stoneman and Frank Nodarse to prevent what looked a sure goal after a Portland Hearts of Pine free kick.

But after that Portland upped its press and Rhode Island FC was on the back foot for more-or-less the rest of the half, although they still dominated statistically as a result of stout defending and a few incisive offensive plays.

But Rhode Island FC came out for the second half like it was just after they’d scored their first goal, with all the momentum that entails. They went up 2-0 shortly after, with a 49th-minute Chico brace, this time assisted by defender Aldair Sanchez.

Sanchez sent in a brilliant cross and Chico backheeled it calmly under the keeper from close range. Not long after that, Dikwa secured his hat trick with a great header off a cross from midfielder Jojea Kwizera. Hopefully, this marks a turn in his form so he — and all of RIFC — can bring their incredible USL Jägermeister Cup form back to the regular season.

Portland Hearts of Pine scored shortly after on a counterattack in the 63rd, but nobody even seemed to notice. The goal itself was a good one, scored by striker Titus Washington and assisted by midfielder Masashi Wada. If the crowd didn’t seem to notice, the teams seemed to notice even less, with no momentum seeming to change based on the play, although Portland should be applauded for its effort.

Hearts had a lot of fans in the stands at Centreville Bank Stadium, and unlike RIFC’s matches against Hartford, relations between the separate fan groups were remarkably cordial, even friendly. There’s a mutual appreciation here, based in Portland’s unique (and very cool) branding, and Rhode Island FC’s building the first state-of-the-art soccer-specific stadium in New England.

While not all rivalries should be friendly, it certainly felt nice to be able to talk and make friendships with the opposition, who kept showing their support for their side through to the final whistle, their band playing and supporter’s group waving their flags despite the result.

Rhode Island FC’s final goal of the night came in the 85th minute when winger Noah Fuson circled a fallen Portland Hearts of Pine player, former RIFC defender Nathan Messer.

From there, Rhode Island FC saw out their victory, hopefully helping them build confidence after only their second home win this season. With any luck, they’ll bring that momentum next weekend when Rhode Island FC are back in action at home on Saturday, July 5, at 7:00 PM ET, as they take on head coach Khano Smith’s former club, Birmingham Legion FC.