2026 Rhode Island FC season

Rhode Island FC
2026 season
Head coachKhano Smith
StadiumCentreville Bank Stadium, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
USL Championship Eastern Conference: 8th place
U.S. Open CupRound 2
USL CupTBD, Group 5
Highest home attendance6,758 (March 14)
Lowest home attendance1,156 (March 17)
Average home league attendance6,758
All statistics correct as of 0:00, March 15, 2026 (UTC).

The 2026 Rhode Island FC season will be the third season for Rhode Island FC, and their third in the USL Championship, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States.

RIFC will play an unbalanced 30-game regular season schedule, plus four USL Cup games. They will play their Eastern Conference opponents twice, each home and away, and six of the teams in the Western Conference, three home and three away. The top eight teams in each conference will make the playoffs.[1]

The group stage of the 2026 USL Cup will have six teams competing in Group 5, each playing four games, two home and two away.[2] RIFC will also enter in the first round of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup.

Preseason

RIFC's preseason included a local training camp in Rhode Island, followed by extended training in Florida at IMG Academy. RIFC played closed-door scrimmages against New England Revolution II, Sporting Club Jacksonville, Sarasota Paradise, Philadelphia Union II, and Hartford Athletic.[3] An open exhibition game against Brooklyn FC was canceled due to after-effects of the Blizzard of '26, which left 30 inches of snow in Pawtucket.

The team's season-opening game against Loudoun United FC, scheduled for March 7, was also postponed due to the blizzard. The game was moved to mid-October.[4]

Player Movement

In

No. Pos. Player Transferred from Fee/notes Date Source
8 FW Leo Afonso Atlanta United Free transfer January 8, 2026 [5]
22 DF Nick Scardina Charlotte FC Free transfer January 9, 2026 [6]
29 GK Jacob Castro Tacoma Defiance Free transfer January 13, 2026 [7]
10 MF Agustín Rodríguez Club Atlético Lanús Loan January 14, 2026 [8]
20 FW Jamin Gogo Peters Brown University Free transfer February 16, 2026 [9]
14 FW Logan Dorsey Minnesota United FC Loan February 25, 2026 [10]
25 DF CJ Williams Boston College Free transfer March 3, 2026 [11]

Out

Date Pos. Player Transaction Details New Club Ref.
December 19, 2025 MF Maxi Rodriguez Transfer Undisclosed fee Detroit City FC [12]
January 9, 2026 FW Albert Dikwa Transfer Undisclosed fee Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC [13]
January 16, 2026 DF Aimé Mabika Release Mutual consent [14]
February 14, 2026 FW Mathieu Ndongo Transfer Undisclosed fee Miami FC [15]

Roster

As of March 3, 2026[16]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ESP Koke Vegas
2 DF  COL Dani Rovira
3 DF  USA Aldair Sanchez
4 DF  ESP Hugo Bacharach
5 DF  USA Grant Stoneman
7 MF  JAM Dwayne Atkinson
8 FW  BRA Leo Afonso
9 FW  USA JJ Williams
10 MF  ARG Agustín Rodríguez (on loan from Club Atlético Lanús)
11 FW  USA Noah Fuson
12 MF  USA Clay Holstad
13 GK  USA Will Meyer
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 FW  USA Logan Dorsey (on loan from Minnesota United FC)
15 DF  CUB Frank Nodarse
17 MF  RWA Jojea Kwizera
19 MF  USA Kevin Vang
20 FW  USA Jamin Gogo Peters
21 MF  HAI Zachary Herivaux
22 DF  USA Nick Scardina
24 DF  CAN Karifa Yao
25 DF  USA CJ Williams
29 GK  USA Jacob Castro
32 DF  SEN Hamady Diop
77 MF  USA Amos Shapiro-Thompson

Competitions

Preseason Friendlies

As they did in their first two seasons, RIFC held a limited training camp in Rhode Island, before heading to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for preseason training. The team announced closed-door scrimmages against teams from MLS Next Pro and both USL leagues, ahead of the start of the regular season.[17]

January 28 New England Revolution II 5–4 Rhode Island FC Weymouth, MA
  • Da 29'
  • Buck 36' (pen.)
  • George 48'
  • Trialist 80'
  • Trialist 85'
 Report Not Reported Stadium: Union Point Sports Complex
Note: Closed-door scrimmage
February 1 Sporting Club Jacksonville v Rhode Island FC Bradenton, FL
Report Stadium: IMG Academy
Note: Closed-door scrimmage. Though RIFC posted pictures to social media, no results were officially released by either team.
February 7 Sarasota Paradise 1–2 Rhode Island FC Bradenton, FL
O'Dwyer Report Not reported Stadium: IMG Academy
Note: Closed-door scrimmage. No box score was posted, but a goal was scored by Chandler O'Dwyer.[18]
February 12 Philadelphia Union II v Rhode Island FC Bradenton, FL
Stadium: IMG Academy
Note: Closed-door scrimmage.
February 20 Hartford Athletic v Rhode Island FC Hartford, CT
February 28 Rhode Island FC v Brooklyn FC Pawtucket, RI
Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
Note: Game canceled due to the Blizzard of '26

USL Championship

Main article: 2026 USL Championship season

Eastern Conference

Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Louisville City FC 2 2 0 0 6 2 +4 6 Playoffs
2 Hartford Athletic 2 1 0 1 3 0 +3 4
3 Detroit City FC 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
4 Charleston Battery 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
5 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
6 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2 1 1 0 4 4 0 3
7 Brooklyn FC 2 1 1 0 1 3 −2 3
8 Rhode Island FC 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1
9 Birmingham Legion FC 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1 1
10 Sporting Club Jacksonville 2 0 1 1 1 4 −3 1
11 Loudoun United FC 1 0 1 0 2 3 −1 0
12 Indy Eleven 1 0 1 0 0 1 −1 0
13 Miami FC 1 0 1 0 1 4 −3 0
Updated to match(es) played on March 14, 2026. Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) total wins against conference opponents; 2) goal differential against conference opponents; 3) goals scored against conference opponents; 4) head-to-head points against conference opponents; 5) points per game against conference opponents; 6) points per game against non-conference opponents; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
1 0 1 0 1 1  0 1 0 1 0 1 1  0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Last updated: March 14, 2026.
Source: Match reports

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
StadiumHAAHAHHHHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA
ResultD
Eastern Conference8
Updated to match(es) played on March 14, 2026. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Regular season

March 7 n/a Rhode Island FC v Loudoun United FC Pawtucket, RI
2:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
Note: Game postponed due to the Blizzard of '26
March 14 1 Rhode Island FC 1–1 Sporting Club Jacksonville Pawtucket, RI
4:00PM
Report
Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
Attendance: 6,758
Referee: Thomas Snyder
March 21 2 Louisville City FC v Rhode Island FC Louisville, KY
4:00PM Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
March 28 3 Miami FC v Rhode Island FC Miami, FL
7:00PM Stadium: Pitbull Stadium
April 4 4 Rhode Island FC v Detroit City FC Pawtucket, RI
4:00PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
April 11 5 Lexington SC v Rhode Island FC Lexington, KY
7:00PM Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium
April 22 6 Rhode Island FC v Charleston Battery Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
May 2 7 Rhode Island FC v Birmingham Legion FC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
May 9 8 Rhode Island FC v Tampa Bay Rowdies Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
May 23 9 Rhode Island FC v Brooklyn FC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
May 30 10 Indy Eleven v Rhode Island FC Indianapolis, IN
7:00PM Stadium: Caroll Stadium
June 13 11 Loudoun United FC v Rhode Island FC Leesburg, VA
6:00PM Stadium: Segra Field
July 4 12 Rhode Island FC v Orange County SC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
July 8 13 Sacramento Republic FC v Rhode Island FC Sacramento, CA
10:30PM Stadium: Heart Health Park
July 18 14 Rhode Island FC v Hartford Athletic Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
July 25 15 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC v Rhode Island FC Pittsburgh, PA
7:00PM Stadium: Highmark Stadium
August 1 16 Birmingham Legion FC v Rhode Island FC Birmingham, AL
8:00PM Stadium: Protective Stadium
August 8 17 Rhode Island FC v Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
August 15 18 Tampa Bay Rowdies v Rhode Island FC St. Petersburg, FL
7:30PM Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
August 22 19 Rhode Island FC v Monterey Bay FC Pawtucket, RI
Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
August 29 20 FC Tulsa v Rhode Island FC Oneok Field
8:30PM Referee: Tulsa, OK
September 5 21 Rhode Island FC v Louisville City FC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
September 12 22 Sporting Club Jacksonville v Rhode Island FC Jacksonville, FL
7:00PM Stadium: Hodges Stadium
September 19 23 Rhode Island FC v Miami FC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
September 26 24 Charleston Battery v Rhode Island FC Mount Pleasant, SC
7:00PM Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
September 30 25 Rhode Island FC v Indy Eleven Pawtucket, RI
Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
October 3 26 Brooklyn FC v Rhode Island FC Brooklyn, NY
7:00PM Stadium: Maimonides Park
October 10 27 Detroit City FC v Rhode Island FC Hamtramck, MI
7:00PM Stadium: Keyworth Stadium
October 14 28 Rhode Island FC v Loudoun United FC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
Note: Game rescheduled due to the Blizzard of '26
October 17 29 Rhode Island FC v Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
October 24 30 Hartford Athletic v Rhode Island FC Hartford, CT
7:00PM Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium

U.S. Open Cup

Main article: 2026 U.S. Open Cup

Rhode Island entered in the First Round of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup, joining the competition at the same time as 16 other USL Championship teams.[19] Their first round game against the amateur team CD Faialense of the Bay State Soccer League was played on Tuesday, March 17 at Centreville Bank Stadium.[20][21] They were drawn at home against rivals Hartford Athletic for a Second Round game on April 1.

March 17 First Round Rhode Island FC (USLC) 4–0 CD Faialense (BSSL) Pawtucket, RI
7:00PM
Report
  • Fernandez  77'
  • Krause  87'
 Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
Attendance: 1,156
April 1 Second Round Rhode Island FC (USLC) v Hartford Athletic (USLC) Pawtucket, RI
7:00PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium

USL Cup

Main article: 2026 USL Cup


Pos Team Pld W PKW PKL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Brooklyn FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage
2 Hartford Athletic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 New York Cosmos 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Portland Hearts of Pine 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Rhode Island FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Westchester SC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: April 25, 2026 (2026-04-25). Source: [1]

Matches

Group Rounds

April 25 Round 1 Hartford Athletic v Rhode Island FC Hartford, CT
7:00PM Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium
May 16 Round 2 Portland Hearts of Pine v Rhode Island FC Portland, ME
4:00PM Stadium: Fitzpatrick Stadium
June 6 Round 3 Rhode Island FC v Westchester SC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium
July 11 Round 4 Rhode Island FC v Brooklyn FC Pawtucket, RI
7:30PM Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium


Player statistics

Goals

Place Pos. No. Name USL Championship US Open Cup USL Cup USLC Playoffs Total
1 FW 14 Logan Dorsey 1 0 0 0 1
1 DF 2 Dani Rovira 0 1 0 0 1
1 DF 25 CJ Williams 0 1 0 0 1
1 DF 22 Nick Scardina 0 1 0 0 1
Own Goals 0 1 0 0 1
Total 1 4 0 0 5


Assists

Place Pos. No. Name USL Championship US Open Cup USL Cup USLC Playoffs Total
1 DF 19 Kevin Vang 0 1 0 0 1
1 DF 4 Hugo Bacharach 0 1 0 0 1
1 DF 3 Aldair Sanchez 0 1 0 0 1
Total 0 3 0 0 3

Clean Sheets

Place Pos. No. Name USL Championship US Open Cup USL Cup USLC Playoffs Total
1 GK 1 Koke Vegas 0 1 0 0 1
Total 0 1 0 0 1


Disciplinary

No. Pos. Name USL Championship US Open Cup USL Cup USLC Playoffs Total
14 FW Logan Dorsey 1 1
17 DF Jojea Kwizera 1 1
Total 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0



References

  1. ^ Staff, USLChampionship com (December 10, 2025). "USL Championship Announces Competition Format for 2026 Season". USL Championship. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  2. ^ Staff, USLChampionship com (December 16, 2025). "Prinx Tires named entitlement partner of USL Cup". USL Championship. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  3. ^ "Rhode Island FC Releases 2026 Preseason Schedule". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  4. ^ "Rhode Island FC Home Opener vs. Loudoun United FC Postponed". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  5. ^ "Rhode Island FC Signs Forward Leo Afonso For 2026 Season". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  6. ^ "Rhode Island FC Signs Defender Nick Scardina For 2026 Season". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  7. ^ "Rhode Island FC Signs Goalkeeper Jacob Castro For 2026 Season". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  8. ^ "Rhode Island FC Adds Midfielder Agustín "Pity" Rodríguez on Loan For 2026 Season". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  9. ^ "Rhode Island FC Signs Former Brown University Forward Jamin Gogo Peters". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  10. ^ "Rhode Island FC Acquires Minnesota United FC Forward Logan Dorsey on Loan for 2026 Season". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  11. ^ "Rhode Island FC Signs Former Boston College Defender CJ Williams for 2026 Season". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  12. ^ "Rodriguez Returns to Detroit City FC on Multi-Year Deal". Detroit City FC. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  13. ^ "Rhode Island FC Transfers Albert Dikwa "Chico" to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  14. ^ "Rhode Island FC, Aimé Mabika Agree to Mutual Contract Termination". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  15. ^ "Miami FC Acquires Forward Mathieu Ndongo in Transfer with Rhode Island FC". Miami FC. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  16. ^ "Roster Archive". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  17. ^ "Rhode Island FC Releases 2026 Preseason Schedule". Rhode Island FC. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  18. ^ @SRQ_Paradise (February 7, 2026). "GOAL by O'Dwyer" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  19. ^ Sillick, Jake (December 4, 2025). "2026 US Open Cup format: FIFA World Cup shrinks 111th tournament". Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  20. ^ "Format, Schedule and Participating Teams Finalized for 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". ussoccer.com. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  21. ^ "2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Kicks Off with 32-Game First Round Pitting Amateur vs. Pro Clubs". ussoccer.com. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
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