USL Rhode Island FC

Rhode Island FC to Face Charlotte Independence in Third Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Published on April 4, 2024 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release


PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Following Thursday's U.S. Open Cup draw, Rhode Island FC will travel to Charlotte Independence of USL League One in a Third Round match. The national competition pairs teams from every level of play into a single elimination tournament. The Third Round of the cup will take place between April 16 and 17. The time and location of Rhode Island FC's match will be announced at a later time.

Rhode Island FC joins 16 other USL Championship clubs entering the competition in the Third Round. The Ocean State club drew Charlotte Independence Thursday afternoon from the Northeast regional pool of the United States. The match will be RIFC's first appearance in the historic competition, and its first-ever competitive matchup against a non-USL Championship opponent.

The USL League One club advanced to the Third Round after a dramatic penalty-shootout win over semi-professional side South Carolina United Heat of the United Premier Soccer League on Tuesday, April 2. After nothing could separate the two sides through 120 minutes in a scoreless draw, Charlotte goalkeeper Austin Pack made two saves in the shootout to keep his team's Open Cup dreams alive.

Khano Smith's side will balance the tournament with regular season action in the coming weeks as the club continues to search for its first-ever win. RIFC is set to host Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. ahead of its mid-week Open Cup matchup with Charlotte, before embarking on a cross-country road trip for a meeting with Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m.

Before that, Rhode Island FC continues its 34-match USL Championship slate on Saturday, April 6 (7:30 p.m. ET) when the club returns home to face off against defending Eastern Conference Champions Charleston Battery at Beirne Stadium. Tickets to the match are available now at rhodeislandfc.com/tickets.

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