Rhode Island FC Misses Opportunity For Statement Win Against Miami FC
Something is rotten in the town of Pawtucket
Rhode Island FC should, by all accounts, be a team fighting in the upper echelons of the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference. Instead, they are doing anything but, and exhibiting some of the most consistently inconsistent play in the entire league.
The continued absence due to injury of striker JJ Williams is the most obvious source of Rhode Island’s problems, but the absence of goalkeeper Koke Vegas also hurt them. Rhode Island FC came out confident after their win last weekend against Pittsburgh in the Jagermeister Cup, but quickly found themselves unable to actually convert any of their clear look-ins past Miami FC’s defense, which they all missed, and which only came after Miami FC demonstrated its first dangerous chance in only the 3rd minute.
Miami FC opened the second half with three straight chances, and they converted the third, as Rhode Island FC and goalkeeper Jackson Lee were beaten easily on a direct free kick from Miami’s midfielder Sebastian Blanco. The shot looked destined for the back of the net as soon as it left his boot, and given the run of play, it also felt destined. Rhode Island FC had very much been pinned back since the restart of play, and with Blanco’s 54th-minute goal, they paid for it.
Rhode Island FC is suffering from a serious problem. They can fire as many times as they want, but goals continue to evade them. They’re tied for the third-worst offense in the league. Head coach Khano Smith is going to have to make a significant change before Rhode Island FC plays away to Louisville City on Wednesday, June 11, at 8 PM ET.
Maxi Rodriguez is also one of the most overrated players in USL and on this team. He’s done nothing but whine when fouled. I don’t believe he’s a good fit on this team. I felt the team played better when he was subbed off last evening.