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USL Rhode Island FC

Rhode Island FC Falls 4-1 at Tampa Bay Rowdies in First Loss of the Season

March 30, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release


Rhode Island FC's Clay Holstad in action
Rhode Island FC's Clay Holstad in action
(Rhode Island FC)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Rhode Island FC wrapped up its first road series of the USL Championship season with a 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. The visitors took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but were unable to find any answers to the Tampa Bay offense in the second half.

Despite suffering its first loss of 2024, RIFC was able to celebrate another goal from Albert Dikwa "Chico", who scored his team-leading third goal of the season in the first half and extended his goal-scoring streak to two matches.

Rhode Island FC (0W-1L-2D) found its way to an early lead in the sixteenth minute of play. Goalkeeper Jackson Lee saw Chico charging towards the Tampa Bay net and kicked a long pass down the pitch from a goal kick. The home side's defense tried to stop the attack, but the Cameroonian striker swiftly made his way past the opposition, snuck the ball past the goalkeeper with his head and launched the ball from the right side of the six-yard box into the open net to secure his third goal of the season to give Rhode Island FC the 1-0 lead.

Eight minutes into the second half, the momentum quickly began shifting in favor of Tampa Bay. The change of pace started when Tampa Bay forward Manuel Arteaga capitalized on a pass from Forrest Lasso, who pounced on a Rhode Island FC turnover in the home side's attacking third. As the ball bounced high above, Arteaga found himself one-on-one with Lee and was first to head the ball over the goalkeeper's left side and into the back of the net to even the scoreline at 1-1.

Tampa Bay (1W-0L-2D) continued to push for the go-ahead score when forward Cal Jennings reaped the benefits of two Rhode Island FC missed clearances in the sixty-seventh minute of play. After the midfield turnover played to Tampa Bay's favor, Jennings marched towards goal with a one-on-one opportunity and powered the ball past Lee from just outside the 18-yard box to double the Tampa Bay lead.

Six minutes later, Tampa Bay's Jordan Doherty gave the home side a two-goal advantage off a free kick from Joshua Pérez. Doherty was first to Pérez's cross, redirecting a header towards goal amidst a crowded penalty area. The midfielder kept his shot on target from close range, firing past Lee and into the left side of the goal.

Rhode Island FC continued to try to find a response, but the Tampa Bay offense was simply too much to overcome. With the match outcome already sealed, the home side added one more goal six minutes into second half stoppage time. Midfielder Damián Rivera etched a final exclamation point with a right footed finish to the near post to give Tampa Bay a 4-1 victory in St. Petersburg.

Rhode Island FC returns to USL Championship action on Saturday, April 6 (7:30 p.m. ET) when the club returns home to Beirne Stadium to face off against defending Eastern Conference Champions Charleston Battery. Tickets are available now at rhodeislandfc.com/tickets.

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN

RI - Albert Dikwa "Chico" (Jackson Lee), 16th minute: Chico gets on the end of Lee's box-to-box goal kick. TB 0, RI 1

TB - Manuel Arteaga (Forrest Lasso), 54th minute: Arteaga capitalizes off a RIFC turnover in the attacking third, heading home Lasso's lobbed pass. TB 1, RI 1

TB - Cal Jennings, 67th minute: Cal Jennings takes advantage of a defensive misplay, powering home a one-on-one opportunity past Lee. TB 2, RI 1

TB - Jordan Doherty (Joshua Pérez), 72nd minute: Doherty heads home Pérez's free kick from close range. TB 3, RI 1

TB - Damián Rivera, 90+6 minute: Rivera slots home a right-footed finish at the near post. TB 4, RI 1

ADDITIONAL NOTES

* After coming in as a late replacement for Koke Vegas last weekend vs. Monterey Bay F.C., goalkeeper Jackson Lee made his first professional start and picked up his first career assist vs. the Rowdies. The Perth, Australia native also made two saves and had four clearances.

* RIFC have taken a 1-0 lead into halftime in each of their last two matches. The club has yet to concede a goal in the first half this season.

* Recent signee Collin Smith made his RIFC debut, coming on as a substitute in the 74th minute.

* The Ocean State club took seven of its nine total shots in the opening 45 minutes.

* Chico's goal was his third in two matches, and 47th of his regular season USL Championship career. He is the only RIFC player to score for the club through its first three matches.

* The five combined goals is the highest single-match total this season for either team.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Albert Dikwa ("Chico")

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Rhode Island FC's Clay Holstad in action
Rhode Island FC's Clay Holstad in action
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 30, 2024


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