Rhode Island FC's First Open Cup Run Ends

Despite a dominate performance, Rhode Island FC fall just short in penalties.

Photo Courtesy of Rhode Island FC

Rhode Island FC traveled to American Legion Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina to take on Charlotte Independence in the team’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup match. Rhode Island made seven changes to their starting eleven, which included Rhode Island native and former Providence College midfielder Kevin Vang wearing the captain’s armband.

It took just eleven minutes for Conor McGlynn to score RIFC’s first Open Cup goal after finding himself on the receiving end of Collin Smith’s cross, beating the keeper with a well-placed shot into the bottom right corner of the net.

Charlotte was able to equalize in the 26^th minute after an unfortunate challenge from defender Gabriel Alvez resulted in a penalty for the hosts, which Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. successfully converted from the spot. In the 35^th minute Charlotte doubled their lead after a dangerous ball over the top saw Tresor Mbuyu in alone against an out of position Jackson Lee.

Rhode Island was able to bring things level once again just before the half after Mark Doyle found Nathan Messer inside of Charlotte’s box, as Messer buried the one-time strike high into the back of the net. It is Messer’s first goal in a RIFC uniform.

Rhode Island made one change to start the second half as Clay Holstad replaced the goal scorer McGlynn, a change that proved to be beneficial as Holstad restored the visitor’s lead just five minutes later in the 50^th minute. Then in the 68^th minute Rhode Island made a trio of substitutions with Joe Brito, Jojea Kwizera, and Stephen Turnbull checking in for Kofi Twuimasi, Messer, and Smith respectively.

In the 72^nd minute Charlotte were able to level things once again, this time thanks to a right-footed strike from Luis Álvarez outside of the box. Soon after Rhode Island made their final change of the contest in the 76^th minute with Noah Fuson replacing the captain Vang.

With things still tied at the end of regulation, both teams would take the field in the hope of deciding a winner in extra time. It took just five minutes for Charlotte to find the opener in the first half of extra time as Obergón bagged his second goal of the night from close range. But in the 115^th minute Turnbull extended Rhode Island a lifeline, capitalizing on the loose ball inside of Charlotte’s box and burying the shot.

120 minutes later this match would end 4-4, leaving the winner to be decided by penalty kicks. After seven rounds of penalties, which saw Charlotte’s keeper make a total of three saves, Rhode Island FC’s inaugural Open Cup journey came to a heartbreaking end.  

Rhode Island FC will return to league action on Saturday, April 20^th when they travel to Cashman Field In Las Vegas, Nevada to face off against Las Vegas Lights FC. Kickoff is slated for 8:00 pm EST