SATURDAY: RIFC draws in inaugural match
SMITHFIELD — Rhode Island FC missed some opportunities early in front of a raucous crowd witnessing history on Saturday afternoon.
The club’s inaugural season started in earnest with shots ringing the left post in the first half and nail-biting opportunities followed during the next 45 minutes.
But in stoppage, the 5,252 in attendance seeking highlights were ignited as Noah Fuson curled a service to the far post for Mark Doyle as the forward pressured the attack and forced New Mexico United into an own goal.
Rhode Island’s first score in club history belongs to Christopher Gloster of New Mexico.
But the tally, forever a footnote in RIFC’s record book, knotted the contest in the 92nd minute as Rhode Island FC drew a 1-1 final at Beirne Stadium on the campus of Bryant University.
“A lot of people put in a lot of work for us to get here, so I’m just grateful to them,” RIFC coach Khano Smith said. “The fans, they showed up with an amazing atmosphere and they definitely helped us in the end.”
Doyle, who entered the pitch in the 87th minute, would have netted the score sliding in front of the far post as the assist entered from the opposite corner of the 18-yard box. RIFC played with an aggressive attack and scoring chances happened often as Rhode Island held a 7-1 shots advantage in the first half.
Clay Holstad won possession in RIFC’s attacking zone and on the rush drilled the left bar at the 31st minute. Nearly 10 minutes later, off a corner, Holstad corralled a rebound and hit the upper-left 90 and Jojea Kwizera’s header off the miss went wide.
In the 95th minute, Doyle’s winning chance, a header from the center of the box from Prince Saydee, was denied.
“I think we got a lot of chances and I think we played really well for most of the game,” Doyle said. “I think we deserved at least what we got.”
“The atmosphere for today was amazing, “goalie Koke Vegas said. “People were supporting us until the end. … And we created a lot of chances. It’s true that we didn’t score all the goals, but we created a lot of chances and that’s important.”
New Mexico opened the scoring at the 67th minute after a curling attempt on a restart was sent into the box and rebounded back into the middle before Talen Maples flicked it in with a rightfooted touch.
The opportunity was created on one of Rhode Island’s four yellow cards. New Mexico was tagged with a trio of yellows in a physical opener for RIFC.
“I think we were certainly the aggressor in the game,” Smith said. “I think Mexico’s a quality team, with quality players and a good coach. So, just unfortunate, I do think we created enough to win the game. But if you only put the ball in the back of the net once, you probably don’t deserve to win.”
Vegas made five saves for Rhode Island and New Mexico’s Alex Tambakis had nine stops.
Rhode Island’s opener was a true sellout with fans filling the stadium parking lots with tailgates hours in advance. The club also had food trucks and fan activities active during the game.
“I’m just grateful to the people of Rhode Island,” Smith said. “They pushed our team. I think for sure we don’t score that goal without them pushing the team and encouraging them and beating drums and singing and stomping their feet to the end.”
RIFC travels to Monterey Bay FC next Sunday. jrousseau@providencejournal.com On X: @ByJacobRousseau