Rhode Island FC returned to U.S. Open Cup action on Tuesday night at Centreville Bank Stadium, only this time as the visiting team with the New England Revolution playing host in Pawtucket as the two sides face off for the second year in a row.
Rhode Island’s first attacking drive of the night came in the 30th minute when Dwayne Atkinson decided to take on his defender before a quick give and go with Augstín Rodríguez to get him into the Revolution’s box, but the defense was able to get ahead of the ensuing cross and clear the ball out.
But it was New England who struck first in the 51st minute after a cross from Peyton Miller found the head of Damario McIntosh, laying the ball out at the top of Rhode Island’s box for the volley finish from Diego Fagundez.
After conceding, RIFC head coach Khano Smith decided to make a triple change in the 54th minute with J.J. Williams, Jojea Kwizera and Leo Afonso checking into the match for Logan Dorsey, Rodríguez, and Atkinson respectively, in an attempt to strengthen the attack.
In the 64th minute, RIFC defender Karifa Yao received a yellow card following a hard tackle on Fagundez just outside of Rhode Island’s box. Following his booking Yao was subbed off in the 68th minute as Hamady Diop entered the game.
Rhode Island had an opportunity to tie things up in the 82nd minute after Kwizera was able to win the ball and play in for Afonso, but the close-range shot ended up blocked by the Donovan Parisian.
Hugo Bacharach had the opportunity to tie things up in the 100th minute when the New England keeper came off of his line to attempt a save, with the ball falling to Bacharach but his header ended up finding the post instead.
It was the 111th minute when the Rhode Warriors got their equalizer. Driving into the offensive third Diop attempted to play a ball into New England’s box, and despite the deflection off the defender’s foot, Williams was able to follow the play and get his head on the ball and beat the keeper to the near post just before the whistle.
With neither side able to find a breakthrough as extra time came to an end, this game would be decided by penalties. Rhode Island started strong with Diop burying the first kick, but with their next three kickers unable to convert and New England going three for four RIFC’s cup run was cut short once again.
With their next match scheduled for April 22nd, Rhode Island FC will have a week to rest, recover, and regroup as they look to build off of their win over Lexington and keep their momentum in league play.
