The 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup kicked off last week, and Rhode Island FC opened Group 5 action with two points following a penalty shootout win away at reigning champions Hartford Athletic on Saturday night.

After a tense 0-0 draw in regulation, Koke Vegas stepped up big in the shootout, denying Hartford's second-round attempt en-route to a 4-3 win.

A win in the shootout puts Rhode Island third in Group 5 featuring Brooklyn FC, Westchester SC, Portland Hearts of Pine, and the NY Cosmos, along with Hartford.

A difficult group to navigate, RIFC has already begun on the right foot on the hunt to top last seasons run to the semi-finals, holding strong against a side that scored 15 goals in this competition last year.

It was RIFC's third win in the last four games across all competitions, having only lost once since April 1st, and even that was shootout loss vs New England in the US Open Cup Round of 32.

The Ocean State side are riding good form after a rocky start to the year, particularly on defense, with Saturday's draw ensuring only two goals conceded in regulation across the entire month of April.

Saturday night was a tense and tight contest from the opening kickoff, with both organized defensively from the jump. Neither side managed to put a shot on frame until after 23 minutes, when Hartford forced Vegas into his first save of the game, just one of their two shots on target across regulation.

Rhode Island looked the far more threatening side going forward, firing eight shots in the first half, and ultimately 20 after the final whistle blew. Despite this, RIFC matched Hartford with just two shots on target, while Hartford only took six shots overall.

This disparity and the wastefulness on Rhode Island's part prove the Pawtucket side should have returned to the Ocean State with more than two points, but two points are better than nothing.

Jojea Kwizera was the most threatening player for Rhode Island in regulation, creating four chances and putting his lone shot on target, along with few accurate crosses. Logan Dorsey didn't fair as well through the middle, failing take a shot and only recording one single touch inside the Hartford penalty area.

Midfielder Clay Holstad produced the only other shot on target for Rhode Island, coming in the 35th minute, testing Hartford's Antony Siaha with a first-time strike off a Noah Fuson low cross, forcing Siaha to parry it off the post. The remainder of RIFC's attempts were blocked, shanked or skyed as Khano Smith's side struggled to break down the Hartford defensive block, forcing the game to a shootout.

In the shootout, both sides converted their first attempts, with Adrian Diz Pe for Hartford and Hamady Diop for RIFC finding the back of net. But during Hartford's second attempt, the already dramatic fixture got taken up a notch.

Hartford midfielder Barry Coffey stepped up to dispatch the host's second attempt of the shootout, but it was saved by Vegas. However, it was determined that Vegas came off his line, giving Hartford a lifeline and Coffey another chance from the spot; but he could not convert. Vegas saved again, diving down to his right to get a firm hand on it and keep it out.

Hugo Bacharach missed the next RIFC spot kick, leveling the score before both sides traded conversions. Hartford's Samuel Careaga missed his attempt in Round 4, giving center back Karifa Yao the opportunity to put the game to bed.

Yao, who starred for Rhode Island defensively on the night with 12 clearances, a 46% duel success rate and an incredible 35th minute tackle to keep the match scoreless, buried the deciding penalty in front of the Hartford fans behind the goal.

This was Rhode Island's second straight win over Hartford in all competitions, building off the 2-0 in the U.S. Open Cup back on April 1. It was another thrilling chapter in the young rivalry between these two New England powers, setting the stage for two fiery matchups to come between these sides in the USL Championship in July and October.

But before then, Rhode Island returns to Centerville Bank Stadium on May 2 for a date with Birmingham Legion, with a win setting the club's first three-game win streak in the league since the 2025 playoffs.