Rhode Island FC Not Weighed Down by Stellar Inaugural Campaign
Outcomes don't drive success according to head coach Khano Smith
Rhode Island FC had a spectacular start to life in the USL Championship but they aren’t letting a trip to the championship affect how they look at the upcoming campaign.
After a difficult start to the 2024 USL Championship campaign, Rhode Island marched to the playoffs and made it all the way to the USL Championship Final. While coming up just short of an inaugural campaign championship, the performance was more than commendable from head coach Khano Smith’s squad.
But with early success comes expectations.
A lot of players and coaches view championships as the ultimate measure of success. Ring culture is pervasive in sports in the United States and the global game of soccer is no exception.
Some might view that the only way that Rhode Island can achieve success in 2025 is by winning a championship. Smith would argue that is an easy way to set yourself up for failure.
“I mean, just try to get better every day,” Smith said when asked about building off of last season. “Really try not to focus on outcomes. We didn't focus on outcomes last year. We just try to get better as a group every single day, improve every individual player every single day. I say it all the time, but what's meant to be for us is meant to be.”
On top of not focusing on outcomes, Rhode Island isn’t living in the past either. While forward Noah Fuson is leaving the 2024 success in the review mirror, he does want to “finish the job” in 2025.
“Last year is over. It means nothing now,” Fuson said, “It was a good season, but it's behind us. Now it's about repeating and doing what we did last year, but finishing the job.”
2025 does provide the opportunity for more success. While the departure of Stephen Turnbull will be felt, Rhode Island added Maxi Rodriguez to an already impressive midfield.
Additionally, the second season of the Jagermeister Cup provides another chance for Rhode Island to win some hardware. Defender Dani Rovira told The Blazing Musket that while last year was a success for RIFC, there is a lot more for the club to accomplish.
“It is something that the coaching staff, I think, has been clear since the first day we showed up,” he said when asked about the expectations heading into a new season. “We had our meetings, and more than say what the standards were, it was a reminder of what our goals are. I think, yes, as we know, they [RIFC] had a great year last year, but there's still a lot more to accomplish. There's a new cup this year that we get the chance to compete for and we want it all. I think once you have the mentality that you can get as much as you want, you work hard and just start receiving what you deserve.”
So it will be interesting to see how Rhode Island performs in 2025. Along with the expectations built off of last season, RIFC will be playing in its own stadium for the first time.
While success can be subjective, it can also be a form of validation whether that be externally through metrics like wins and losses or internally for Smith and Co. through the continued growth and progression of the club.
But success would in any form would show all the detractors that the club isn’t a one-hit-wonder. Success would show that Khano Smith has built a perennial contender that is worth paying attention to.
Well written article getting to the philosophy of team coach Khano Smith. He truly knows how to select and manage the emotions and performance of his players.