Rhode Island FC traveled to Lynn Family Stadium for an afternoon matchup against the 2025 USL Players’ Shield winners, Louisville City FC, who earlier this week announced the departure of head coach Danny Cruz but City still secured a 4-2 victory.
Head coach Khano Smith made two changes to the lineup from the opener against Sporting JAX, with Aldair Sanchez and Hugo Bacharach earning starts.
In the 16th minute, it was Louisville with the first real chance of the match after getting off a shot from distance, but Koke Vegas was quick to react and make the save to deny the hosts and keep things scoreless. It was Jojea Kwizera who opened the scoring for Rhode Island just five minutes later in the 21st minute on a quick counterattack. Beginning with a long ball played to Leo Afonso, he dribbled into the Louisville box and got off a short cross to Kwizera, who beat the keeper with a well-placed shot into the upper-left corner.
Louisville responded in the 23rd minute after a challenge on the City attacker from Karifa Yao resulted in the ball trickling out to Jake Morris, who capitalized on the opportunity and found the back of Rhode Island’s net.
A messy start to the second half for Rhode Island led to Louisville’s second goal of the match, coming in just the 48th minute, as the Ocean State struggled to clear the ball defensively, leading to a turnover. Louisville took advantage once again, stringing together three passes to get within Rhode Island’s six and finish from close range.
In the 56th minute, it was Clay Holstad who brought the game level once more following the initial shot attempt by Kwizera, which was recovered by J.J. Williams just off the touch line and played back in for a waiting Holstad.
RIFC made their first change of the match in the 60th minute, CJ Williams replaced Sanchez. Rhode Island’s second substitution came in the 72nd minute as Logan Dorsey checked into the match for Rodriguez.
Louisville City would get their third and ultimately game-winning goal in the 76th minute after Kyle Adams got his head on the end of a free kick, positioning himself just in front of Vegas, making his attempt uncontested.
In the 88th minute, a scuffle broke out in the Louisville box following a Rhode Island corner, and despite the fact that it was initiated by two Louisville players shoving Dorsey into the back of the net, the only player to be shown straight red and be ejected from the match was J.J. Williams, who stepped in to defend his teammate. After voicing his displeasure with the referee, Smith was issued two yellows in quick succession and also saw himself booted in the closing moments of regular time.
Louisville netted its fourth goal of the match in the 92nd minute, putting the game away for the hosts and ensuring Rhode Island left empty-handed. RIFC are on the road once again, heading to FIU Stadium, as they look to bounce back against Miami FC on March 28.
