
Rhode Island FC Returns to Sold-Out Beirne Stadium Tonight for Kids Night
September 21, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
Although FC Tulsa is unbeaten (5W-0L-4D) when scoring multiple goals this season, the Oklahoma club has only managed to find the back of the net more than once in a match three times since late May and has earned just one win in its last eight tries. A 1-0 loss to league-leading Louisville City FC last time out marked the second time in six matches the Western Conference club failed to register a shot on target, and the 12th time Tulsa has failed to find the back of the net, the second-most in the league behind only Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (13 shutouts against). With the attack struggling to produce of late, the club finds itself in the bottom seven teams in the USL Championship in scoring with 27 goals - an average of just over one goal per match. Against an RIFC team that, despite sitting on 39 goals this season, has been shut out in two-straight matches for only the second time, Tulsa will need to find a way to strike early and often to pick up a much-needed three points on the road. Despite the scoring struggles up front for FC Tulsa, goalkeeper Johan Peñaranda has been in excellent form during his first season as a professional, making six saves against Louisville to keep his side in the match through 90 minutes. The 24-year-old finished two saves shy of his career-high eight that he set five matches prior.
Despite scoring 26 goals in 13 matches and picking up the most points in the USL Championship with only one loss from June 12 to Aug. 31, Rhode Island FC has struggled to operate at a similar efficiency in its last two matches. The club was held to consecutive shutouts for only the second time, resulting in its first set of back-to-back losses. The Ocean State club's last win did come in front of its home fans at Beirne Stadium, however, and RIFC has not lost at home since June 8. RIFC's inability to find the back of the net in its last time out at Orange County SC did not come from a lack of chances. After registering a season-low two shots with none on target in its previous match at Pittsburgh, Khano Smith's men jumped out on the attack early on Saturday, forcing six saves out of Orange County SC goalkeeper Chris Sulter with 18 total shots on the night. Now that only three points separate Rhode Island FC and ninth-place Pittsburgh, tapping back into its recent momentum at home and picking up all three points is a must to keep the club safely in the driver's seat for a postseason berth.
WHAT
Rhode Island FC returns home to face FC Tulsa in Week 29 of the USL Championship season.
WHO
Rhode Island FC
FC Tulsa
WHEN
Saturday, September 21
7:30 p.m. ET
WHERE
Beirne Stadium
1150 Douglas Pike
Smithfield, RI 02917
BROADCAST
NESN+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
RADIO
790 The Score (790 AM)
THEME
Kids Night presented by Rhode Island Energy
GATE GIVEAWAY
Rhode Island Energy Clap Banners (First 1,500 kids)
MERCH OF THE MATCH
Chip Stuffed Animal
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 21, 2024
- Stoppage-Time Winner Earns Rhode Island FC 2-1 Comeback Win Over FC Tulsa - Rhode Island FC
- Rowdies Fall 3-1 in Charleston - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- The Streak Continues: Hartford Defeat Oakland Roots SC 2-0 - Hartford Athletic
- North Carolina FC Blanks Indy Eleven, 2-0 - North Carolina FC
- FC Tulsa Slips to Rhode Island FC, 2-1 - FC Tulsa
- Oakland Lose Third Straight Game, Falling 2-0 to Hartford - Oakland Roots
- Oakland Lose Third Straight Game, Falling 2-0 to Hartford - Oakland Roots
- El Paso Locomotive FC Welcome Gerson Echeverry as New Assistant Coach - El Paso Locomotive FC
- Las Vegas Lights FC Assistant Coach Gerson Echeverry Departs Club for Coaching Opportunity. - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Match Notes (9.21.2024) - Oakland Roots SC vs Hartford Athletic - Oakland Roots
- Detroit City FC Hosts Eastern Conference Leading Louisville City in Final National Broadcast of the Season - Detroit City FC
- Rhode Island FC Returns to Sold-Out Beirne Stadium Tonight for Kids Night - Rhode Island FC
- What to Watch for with LouCity at Detroit City FC - Louisville City FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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